When a Softball Girl Becomes a Baseball Mom

When a Softball Girl Becomes a Baseball Mom

I grew up at the ballpark. I played softball through high school and my brother played baseball and soccer so we were always at the park. Those softball days hold a special place in my heart.

Fast forward 15 years later and now I’m a mom. My son played t-ball at an inside ballpark for 4-year-olds that was cute and fun. I loved when he was just beginning to learn. We would throw the ball for what seemed like hours.

Park Ball

When my son turned 5 years old, we started park ball! When I walked into a ballpark for the first time with my son headed to play baseball, I did not expect the huge wave of nostalgia and joy that came over me. Seeing my son in his uniform with his bat bag walking towards the field, watching him run the bases, running my fingers along the barbed wire dugout, smelling the concessions, HEARING the team cheer each other on. A core memory was unlocked for sure.

During the season, I may or may not have led them in some good old dug-out classic chants from my childhood.

Of course, I’ve been to a baseball game since then and I’ve been to a ballpark since then. But it just hits differently when it’s your child and you’re the mom and you realize how fast life changes. There are a handful of things in my life that have made me THAT TRULY content and that happy to be present for. It was one of my favorite mom moments so far.

Then, my husband started coaching and my heart just exploded. Seeing them together is a beautiful thing. Both of them thoroughly enjoy practicing and playing baseball together. It makes you stop and think. These are the moments we wished for.

Five-year-old baseball made me realize so many things:

• • • The nostalgia was put in full force!

    • How much joy and happiness could come from simple things 

    • That I didn’t want to miss a single moment or a single game (and I didn’t)

    • Realizing the time that my mom and dad spent bringing us to the ballpark. That took dedication. What a blessing it was to have that opportunity!

    • How much softball shaped me into the person I am today

    • What a commitment sports are in general. If a parent bringing you to a sport continuously isn’t love, then I don’t know what is!

I hope you all get to experience your child participating in your childhood passion. It was the best. You all deserve the best. Peace, love, and baseball!