I Got This

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the logistics of youth sports. Particularly youth baseball.  It’s so much more than people realize. So many behind-the-scenes actions must happen for teams to not only function, but to also prosper. Basically, I have come to realize (and appreciate) that to have a well-run team…a GREAT team that flows, you don’t just need great players…you need great families. Helpful families. KIND families.  Families who are always willing to pitch in.  Otherwise, we’d literally fall apart.  It doesn’t matter if you have multiple kids in a sport, one kiddo in a sport, or maybe grandchild, niece, or nephew in a sport that you are heavily involved with…it literally takes a village.

There are parents who work full time, have spouses who travel for work, have multiple practices for siblings on the same night, or maybe live far from every practice field and most of the tournaments. Okay, all those things describe me. But I know a lot of you can relate. I personally rely on other parents on our team for SO many things.   I can only hope that I can return the favor in a different way that they might need.  We “pay it forward” however we can. That is what we do.  Us sports parents.   

You know that old saying “There is no “I” in T-E-A-M?”  Well…. there are a few. In fact, there are a bunch.  Except they aren’t called “I,” they’re called “I got this…” I’m talking about every single person involved in a youth sports team who contributes to its growth.   

So, you know I like to make lists.  I like writing about stuff that requires a list.  Well, here is your “I got this” list for youth baseball…

1. The Gamechanger guy/gal….no one wants to be this person, yet we all DEPEND on him/her…even when we are sitting in front of the live game watching every play with our own eyes.  We get distracted, we need to pee, our kid needs a Gatorade or a water, we DO NOT PAY ATTENTION. (Again, these are all things I am guilty of doing).  This poor gamechanger soul gets a bad rap. He or she is voluntarily trying to keep the score for us, help the ump tally up runs allowed and counts for each at bat, they CANNOT leave to use the restroom in the middle of innings, and they often get scolded if a play is entered wrong, or heaven forbid the wrong player is given an error.  This job sucks.  And I congratulate any parent who agrees to do it. Nothing compares to this “I got this” job.  Thank you!
2. The “admin” parent. It never fails…every Friday night (sometimes Thursday nights for those extremely prepared parents…not me) every mom and dad on their kid’s team is asking themselves the same questions: “What time is the first game again? Where are we playing?  What uniform do they have to wear Saturday? What are they wearing Sunday? Is Teamsnap updated?” All these questions and more can be answered by that one lifesaver mom or dad…. The admin parents.  The one who tells me I still need to pay my monthly dues, or where I can book the hotel and get the better rate for that one tournament coming up, or what color socks or baseball pants or which jersey my kid needs to wear. Or what field we are on, and at which facility, or whether or not practice is canceled.   Kudos to you, this “I got this” job keeps me feeling like I might actually be able to manage through the week/weekend without losing my mind. 
3. The “snack” mom. Yes, I’m just going to go ahead and call this person a “mom” because let’s be honest, do dads really carry any snacks? Or even think about snacks for a day of baseball? Not like moms do. And any good team usually has multiple snack moms.  (Yes, I will take a little credit for this “I got this” job).  Kids get hungry.  I’ve realized something in being a parent for over 15 years now that my entire life seems to revolve around what and when my kids eat.  “Did they get enough for breakfast? Do they have enough for their lunch for school? Did they actually eat anything I packed them for lunch? Do we have enough snacks in the house? What will I make them for dinner? Do I have what I need for the car ride that will tide them over until we get to where we are going? Do they need a little something in between games to give them the energy they need? They look tired, did they eat enough?”  Seriously…these are the things I think about all day long, even if I am not physically with my kids.  ARE THEY EATING?? Again, I know I’m not the only mama out there having these thoughts. Right? I got this…
4. The picture/video expert. Okay, as much as I love to take pictures, and try to take good ones, it doesn’t always happen. On top of not taking the clearest pictures or videos, there’s also that little voice that creeps into my head 30 seconds before my kid walks up to the plate. You know the voice I’m talking about: “Don’t do it!  You’re gonna jinx him. Put the phone away, just watch instead!” SO, I find myself asking other parents on the team to video my child…because that somehow seems justified. Surely, he won’t strike out if someone else is taking the video. So, thank you, picture person.  You’re “I got this” role is bigger than you know.  And it’s a pretty sure bet that this is the same parent who takes the picture of our kids holding the banner up after a first or second place in the championship game, when it’s late Sunday afternoon or evening, and no one else wants to go out on the field and take it. We are all so ready to get the hell out of the park and figure out what we are going to feed everyone for dinner, and whether we have what we need for Monday’s school lunches (oh wait, maybe that’s just me thinking about that…) that we rely on picture person to take it.  And share it.  So then, WE can share it.  Thank you!
5. The dad who also umps…You know who you are. We rely on you heavily for clarification with nearly every play. “Was that really a strike? Was he really out? Do we have to go into extra innings? Can the coach really do that? Is that play fair? Was that a balk? What’s the tournament rule?” Again, thank you times 100. You’re “I got this” wisdom you give our team is impressive and has probably stopped a lot of fights from occurring.
6. The coaches. Ok, this one is a no brainer. Our coaches volunteer their time every week at practices and games to better our children and help them play the game they love so much.  Without coaches, we would NOT have a team. I could NEVER be this “I got this” person.  Thank you!!
7. Grandparents. Some people might not realize it, but this group is vital to our team.  They bring a different perspective, a different vibe, a carefree love of all our little players, and sometimes they even bring their dogs!  We love the extra support from grandparents, we count on it and so do our children.  Some of them even keep score of every game by hand.  Some give our kids money at the end of the game even if they play horrible.  And most of them give out free hugs too.
8. The music parents. Okay, this might be my favorite “I got this” person on the planet. They bring a big speaker, play our kids walk-up songs at every at-bat, and play the best tunes in between innings.  It gets everyone fired up, not just the kids.  Plus, there is nothing better than looking over and seeing a bunch of dirty, sweaty 10-year-old little ballers dancing and singing every word of their favorite songs.  It makes the entire baseball experience complete. Plus, you get that one parent who always jams out…which might be more fun to watch than the actual game. You know who you are….
9. That one mom who packs everything. Okay, this is me. I’m that mom, usually. Need a band aid? Ask Bo’s mom. Need some Tylenol? Sunscreen? (Hit or miss if I remember to pack that one) Have a tummy ache and need some TUMS? Ask Mary.  Did your kid get hurt? Have Nurse Mary check it out.  Need wipes? Do you have tweezers? A pin? Do you have scissors? Athletic tape?  I need a pen; do you have one? Mary might.  It’s true, I may seem totally unorganized in many aspects of my life, but I usually can supply whatever someone needs at a kid’s baseball game. I got this.
10. The “rules” dad. This guy has done his homework.  He knows the laws of the field for every tournament, age group, and facility.  Just ask him.  He’s annoyingly accurate.  But the “I got this” award for answering these tough questions that might make or break a game, goes to him.

I know there are more “I got this” people that I haven’t mentioned.  There are so many. And some of you parents and family members out there are multiple “I got this” people. Which is the best.  And some “I got this” members are even the kids themselves….

“Hey, my bat just broke, can I borrow yours for the rest of this game?”

“Do you have any more eye black?”

“Can I have a couple of your Red Vines?”

Don’t take your “I got this” people for granted. I’ve said it before…it takes a village.  Your kid needs a team full of parents, grandparents, coaches, friends, and family members willing and ready to help…in any “I got this” way they can.  It’s the only way it will work.  And it includes you as a parent.  So, which “I got this” person are you? 

***Side Note*** I wrote this blog, then later that day, headed to Target....Only to find the shirt I'm wearing in the picture.  It was so ironic, and kind of crazy. It was the name of my blog! I mean, I had to go back and buy it, right?