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Why I Live The Crazy Softball Mom Life 

I never played sports growing up.  I was more of a play the piano, sing my heart out, musical theater type of kid.  Put me on a stage, and I was a happy camper. So when my baby at four years old started playing soccer, I was like, ok we can give this a try.  Like dipping in a toe to test the waters, I was willing to see where this relationship might take us.  

Ten years and two more kids later, I can officially say we are living the crazy sports life.  These days my girls have more or less settled on softball, although we have run the gamut of every sport from volleyball to soccer, a little bit of tennis, and one very brief stint of basketball. 

Maybe you have seen those memes that say something like, 

A normal family eats dinner between 6-6:30pm and a sports family either eats dinner at 4pm or 9pm.

Well that would be us.  We are either on our way to practice, from practice or running home really fast because we forgot something we need for practice.  Or we are committed to the cause and the whole weekend is an intricate dance of how to get all the kids to and from their games.  It is crazy.  Absolute madness.  

I was *venting* to my mom about all the craziness and she, not so subtly, reminded me this was the house I built.  All the practices, the games, the early mornings and late nights, I not only signed up my children to participate, but I also swiped my Visa and paid for it too.  My mom was speaking the truth and it was a little bit of an eye opening gut-punch that I could either continue to complain or I could suck it up and enjoy the ride (even the crazy, stressful parts).

This past week was the final team dinner after a busy All-Star softball season for my middle daughter.  After what felt like a million practices, countless tournaments (mostly out of town), it was all finally coming to an end for the summer.  Looking at the girls with their sunkissed faces, our last tournament was in Northridge and of course we had middle of the day games, I started to feel a little bit of a lump form in the back of my throat and tears prick my eyes.  

Their laughter and silliness was a far cry from the awkward tweenager behavior we witnessed at the first practice months ago.  From strangers to sisters, these girls had built friendships that were based on work ethic and a love for the game.  I’m sure if you asked any of them, they would say their favorite memories definitely included the pool parties and Starbucks runs, alongside the diving catches, monster hits and strikeouts.  

As a parent we know the Middle School and High School years can be ruthless.  To be yourself and fit in.  To wear the “right” clothes and be unique…but not too unique.  To find friends that won’t talk (or text) behind your back.  It’s a brave new world out there and social media/technology adds another layer that my generation did not have to face.  

But the journey of youth sports gives me hope.  

I have seen my girls grow close friendships that have become full safety nets.  I have spoken to many parents who have told me how sports and the friendships born on the field saved their girls.  The sacrifice of being a coach’s wife and a Team Mom starts to come into focus when a parent shares with you that your husband’s coaching is what gave their girl her confidence (and joy!) back.  Or getting a hug from the shyest little T-Baller because she swung the bat for the first time.  

The completely insane hours (in our case, times three) and late night dinners begin to make sense when we zoom out and look from the birds eye view.  What can start as a tiny seed begins to bloom into confidence of a job well done.  To work hard and reach an impossible goal.  To be willing to make sacrifices and be uncomfortable right now, in order to reap the rewards later.  To work with others and learn how to build trust.  All of these are life lessons, to embrace now and to continue to build on into adulthood, and to be blessed with friends along the way, is truly a gift from God. 

So as I scroll through Pinterest looking for easy, make ahead dinners and get ready to yet again turn over my Visa to our softball league, I am reminded of all the friendships I have also made.  To the parents who have picked up my kids and even fed them on the way to a practice, God bless you. And nothing is better than sitting next to the snarky mom when a surly umpire makes a really bad call. The snacks shared and poured out like a Thanksgiving feast mixed in with Legos as the siblings happily play together. The beach days, movies days, birthday parties and late night Mom group chats are all reminders of friendships built not just on the field. Building a community of friends that are also crazy enough to get up at 5am to make a 7am warm-up time is truly a beautiful thing.  

Someday I know I will miss these days. In the meantime, we will eat dinner at 4:30pm, have an unbelievable amount of laundry exploding out of the basket and hang on tight to the precious friends and memories we have the joy of making and growing every season.  Fall ball, anyone?