Chronicles of a (Not Quite Ready to Retire) Baseball Mom

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In our household, baseball is not just a sport; it’s a way of life. So when the thought crossed our minds about whether our daughter would take to the field with the same passion, we knew she was stepping up to the plate under pressure. With two teenage brothers who spend more time on the field than most professionals—and parents who have both coached and played—Emma was bound to be a little ballplayer, whether she embraced it or not.

One thing that might surprise those unfamiliar with Southern California is that there is no defined “season” for baseball. At the high school level, it’s a continuous cycle of summer, fall, winter, and spring ball. From the time kids are 4 until they graduate from middle school, every day can be filled with Little League games, practices, and volunteering. Not to mention the travel ball options available at any age, often at a steep price.

Our boys, Max and Jake, participated in every level simultaneously. Our schedule has been packed, with my husband and I often splitting up to take each boy to their respective games or practices.

So, when I found out I was expecting Emma at 40, it felt like a curveball. As I stared at the positive pregnancy test, my mind raced with thoughts about where I would fit a car seat and stroller in our already cramped Volvo, overflowing with baseball gear, batting tees, and an array of other equipment. Have you ever seen the size of a catcher’s bag?

We made a strategic off-season trade: farewell, Volvo; hello, enormous SUV. I stepped back from my coaching role, and when Emma entered the world in November 2010, we were thrilled to welcome our new little rookie into the family.

Considering she was born during a statewide whooping cough outbreak, we kept Emma at home for the first few months, avoiding public places until she was fully vaccinated. Still, at just three weeks old, she attended her first travel ball game—of course, it was an open-air event.

Being the adaptable child that she is, Emma nursed while I lounged in my foldable chair, never missing a pitch thrown by Jake. If Max’s games got too chilly, we would retreat to the spacious backseat of our SUV to catch the action from a cozy spot.

When All Star season arrived, I got crafty with fabric paint, decorating her onesies in Jake’s team colors. Although Emma often snoozed through the games, she donned her mini Encinitas Reds zip-up with pride. I even scored a dark brown sweatshirt with the El Camino High School baseball logo in pink—quite the unique find for her to support Max.

Now at 4 years old, Emma has developed her own flair, making uniform coordination a bit trickier. I nailed it with a custom “Lil Sis” tank featuring sparkles and the number 9 (shared with her brothers), but I struck out with a black tee that said, “My Brother Can Get Your Brother Out.” Convincing her to wear it required some serious candy bribery!

Baseball has offered Emma countless travel opportunities. From road trips to Las Vegas for Jake’s Reds tournament at just six months old, to cheering for her brothers in Arizona and countless outings to the greater Los Angeles area, she’s seen it all. This year, she even jetted to Denver for Max’s college baseball opener.

Emma has braved temperatures soaring above 105 degrees and bundled up for frigid games. Last March, we squeezed in 10 games over a week with minimal complaints from her. I’d love a dollar for every time someone remarked, “She’s such a trooper.” It may sound cliché, but it’s true. Of course, transporting all the gear to keep her entertained—thank you, giant SUV—is a team effort.

In addition to snacks galore, we bring coloring books, stickers, and even a dollhouse duffel bag. But the real joy comes from the teens—specifically, high school cheerleaders who shower her with attention since Max was a freshman. Emma has built quite the fan club over the years.

Finding peers to play with can be tricky, given the age gaps between her and her brothers. But thanks to the kindness of fellow baseball moms, Emma has been entertained with treats and toys during long games.

As the seasons transition, it’s no surprise Emma occasionally struggles to connect the dots between which family belongs to which brother’s team. She often asks, “Will Summer be there?” But with Tanner now in college, those connections are dwindling.

After four years of this baseball-centric lifestyle, we’re noticing Emma’s patience may be wearing thin. Sometimes, she pleas, “Can we go now?” before the first inning is even over. With over two years left in Jake’s baseball journey and Tanner’s college games to catch, there’s still a lot of baseball in her future.

However, as Emma develops her own identity, we wonder if she’ll share our family’s enthusiasm for the game. Just last weekend at a college game, she paused mid-book with her friend to question, “What are we doing here?”

The big question remains: when will Emma transition from spectator to participant? Will she follow in her brothers’ footsteps and stake her claim on the field, or will her interests lie elsewhere? She enjoys swinging wiffle balls with her plastic bat and beams when she catches a ball in her tiny glove, but I can’t help but wonder if her passion would fade if the gear wasn’t pink.

It’s a mystery whether being born into a baseball family will ignite her love for the game or push her away. For now, with her love for dancing and riding horses, I brace myself for the possibility that she might not want to play ball.

But as devoted parents, we will support whatever path she chooses. Yet, I won’t lie; I’d miss the cheers, the crack of the bat, and the thrill of a stolen base. And I’d certainly miss the opportunity to showcase my dirt-removal skills while doing laundry each week.

Regardless of Emma’s future, I know I’ll always have the heart of a cheerleading mom. Whether it’s horses, dance, or lacrosse, I’m ready to adapt. But let’s be honest—I’m batting a thousand as a baseball mom, so I can’t help but hope my little diva finds her love in the dirt and diamonds too.

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Summary

The journey of a devoted baseball mom unfolds in this heartfelt narrative, highlighting the joys, challenges, and unpredictability of raising a daughter in a family dedicated to the sport. As Emma navigates her own path amidst the whirlwind of baseball seasons, her parents remain committed to supporting her, regardless of where her passions may lead.