My kids are year-round swimmers.  We know crazy too.  Substitute “swimming” for baseball and I can steal your words here as my biggest piece of advice:

“My kids are going to play baseball—it’s important to them. We just are that kind of family. One of the best things I ever did for myself was to stop fighting the insanity and decide to embrace it. “

It’s too bad the site does not support neon lights. 

Love seeing this article! I only have two players right now, so I can only imagine the madness in your house, but one of mine plays on two teams, so things are pretty crazy around here. We have totally embraced it and since doing that, it has been nothing but fun. I really look forward to the games and tournaments.
One of our teams plays in weekend tournaments and I learned quickly that the best way to survive that is to prepare…both for the tournament, and your house for being away…I keep a market basket for baseball only and fill that with everything my daughters and I need for games (snacks, books, small toys, sunscreen, bug spray, bandaids, etc), that way I can just grab it and go for a game. Also, I try to prep the house a bit when I know we are going to be all baseball for a few days. I try to do all the laundry, clean the house (or at least pick it up!), and do the grocery shopping, that way, when we get home exhausted on Sunday night, everything is already done for the next week and we can just relax. It’s a little crazy in those couple days beforehand, but so, so worth it afterwards!

I’m a soccer mom - I have 7 kids on 5 different teams.  Most have practice 2 nights a week, therefore, we are never home at dinner.  At least most of my kids’ games are all on Saturdays at the same place.  My daughter who plays in a league is the exception, but since she plays with family members, we’ve always been able to work it out.  I keep all cleats and shin guards in one place (these are worn for every practice) and uniforms for the 12 and unders stay in my room - those older than that can keep track of their own - or pay the consequences.  I’m sure they’ve worn dirty from time to time, but at least soccer stuff is usually dark colored!  It’s only for 10 weeks at a time, I can get through it, and they love it so much.  I was astounded by the pride on my 17yos face this year when his 5 yo brother started playing.  I couldn’t tell who was more excited!

I have recently joined the ranks of being a baseball mom.  I have definitely learned to embrace baseball to a point. Sacrificing family dinner time has been one of my greatest trials but my sister-in-law, a seasoned sports mom, gave me this advice.  Get the kids used to eating dinner when they get home from school.  That way, they just need a snack after practice/game time.

I did learn to have a separate drawer for uniforms as well! Thanks for this article. I grew up in a family of girls so this is taking some getting used to but my boys love the game and have learned a lot.

Great post! As a veteran of many spring baseball seasons… I too was a fan of field-side picnicking for dinner on many-a-night. One of our favorites ballgame meals were boiled hotdogs carried in my stainless steel thermos (that could handle the heat), and a bag of hotdog rolls and chips on the side. On many nights I could have SOLD those hotdogs to other bystanders, as some of the town fields had no concessions! 

When my youngest was potty-training, I kept the potty chair in the van, because, alas, many ballfields had porta-johns or terrible restrooms that just did not work for us.

Other useful baseball season items that we kept in the van: a bag with sunscreen, bugs spray, puzzle books, camera, and an extra blanket.  This also helped keep the van clean: cheap washable throw rugs/runners that could handle the mud that inevitably came in with the cleats… Saved the van’s carpet every time!

Count me as a picnic mom!  A blanket, a bag of apples or clutch of banannas, a bag of carrots, box of crackers, a bag of string cheese, some salami and also pb&J, and yoohoos for the drinks and everyone sits and eats and cheers and it’s a cheaper better experience than the alternative drive thru or late night dinner.  I’ve also done bagels and foil wrapped hotdogs and those were even met with commentary, “Lucky!” from other kids.

I think you just have to do what is best for you family. Lucky for me, I only have one in baseball- so one game to go to a week and one practice a week. And I guess God knows me, because with only one in baseball, I still run around looking for the uniform! lol!
Good tips Danielle and blessings to everyone who just sticks to what’s good for the family, whether it’s league baseball, or neighborhood baseball! I think I can safely say, we all sound like good, concerned mothers who love our kids! :  )

I just realized that I have been a baseball Mom for 17 years STRAIGHT (so far) My youngest son just joined the ranks of baseball player at age 8.  One thing we had to do for sanity was start the kids a bit later.  No more 4yo tball.  We are at a baseball field most nights and usually saturdays.  I have a bag that we bring to every game.  It has plastic cups, wipes and miscellaneous snacks.  It has a few toys too.  But I’m not toting toddlers anymore and it is a lot easier.  Youngest dd is yo. One thing that I have to admit though is that it is sugary snacks are what keep my youngsters from whining about going to baseball.  I try to hit the after Easter candy sales and stock up on some novel candy.  This way I don’t spend money at the snack bar either.  Dinner is rough.  Everyone is hungry before, during and after games.  Somehow, most nights we still manage to sit down all together and eat.  It’s often 8pm.  My one son is graduating this year.  His last games are this week.  It actually makes me sad.  We’ve watched him play countless times and I’ve loved every game!!  It is so nice to have something to support him in, discuss, etc.

Games here are every Tues and Thurs (and one tonight to make up for a rain-out).  Last Thursday afternoon I realized I had not seen my son’s uniform pass through the laundry.  Slightly panicked, I asked him about it.  “I have it,” he said.  “But I didn’t wash it,” I said.  “That’s OK, Mom, I just kept it from the last game.”  Lovely.  So glad I don’t sit in the dugout.

We eat dinner at 430, often, and I tell the non-players that if they want a snack or drink they need to pack one up themselves.  They also pack their “entertainment”: books, toys, etc.  My husband drives straight to the ball park and I pack a dinner for him.  Keeping extra supplies in the car helps when emergencies happen.

I have kids on 9 teams (softball/baseball school, travel, and Little League for 4 kids) and I’m coaching 4 of them. I have learned to embrace the craziness and live in the moment. We don’t get much else done and that ‘s ok because this is where our priority is now.  If you get involved you will get to know the coaches and feel more comfortable with leaving your kids at games and carpooling which eventually has to happen as they get bigger and the schedule gets more complex.

These tips work well during Marching Band season as well.  One I use is, when the child will be going directly from school to practice or a game, pack an extra lunch.  Either send it to school with him/her or drop it off for them.  You can also do this with a hot meal put into a multicompartment storage container.  Sandwiches twice a day for a season won’t hurt as long as you hit all the major food groups.  Our marching band parents group also does meals for the kids during band camp.  Each grade level is responsible for doing the meal for one or two days.  With lots of parental involvement, it isn’t hard.  It is also fun to socialize with the other parents and sneak in a chance to watch the kids practice.  It is great to see the progress they make throughout the process.

I have seven different teams this year for soccer and a one year old to chase around.  I like the advice from Therese “no more 4 year old ball.”  I might take my five year old out this year.  He can start next year.

And I love, love the advice to “Embrace it”.  I will definitely do that this year.  I will remember this is a season in our life and it will pass.  (a very long season for me with 8 kids.) Thanks for the great article.

Soccer mom here. 

I go to as many games as I can.  We have 5 kids in soccer, 3 of them in competitive soccer this year.  I don’t always stay for the practices though.  I have older ones I can leave the younger ones with while I drive one off to a practice.  Usually I leave them there and my husband picks them up on the way home from work, so I can do homework and supper with the others.  I have done homework at the stadium though, and also brought sandwiches when needed.

the fact that they all play the same sport, helps.  Quite often, they play or practice at the same place.  Summer is bit more hectic, but doable.  I play in two soccer leagues myself, a co-ed adult recreational league (co-ed half the times means I, the only woman, am on the field) and a senior women’s competitive league.  I love it!! 

Interesting topic and amusing comments!  In a nutshell (and, oh, how I do love peanuts-in-the-shell while watching the children play ball) I believe that if our families continue to keep the good Lord first, our husbands next and then our children on the the priority ladder, these seasons of ball will be just a fleeting moment in our/their lives.  “Batter up!”

We have loved all the various sports through the years.  I ask however “Why do you have to have white pants and red shirts that need washed almost every night in two different washer loads?”  UGH!