Tag: baseball-life

Goodbye to Baseball season and moving (Literally) on.

Good morning my loves.

I ran out of coffee. I realized it this morning when I was about to make some, and I am due for a trip to the grocery store, but – join me for a bit while I share some things and try to get the motivation to start today.

Baseball season is over for now.

This was Elijah’s first year playing on an actual team, and he loved it.

He had some moments where he’d say he sucks, and I would have to remind him that this is his first year, and every practice – every game – he got better. He started batting balls across the field and making home runs. He started learning when to run and when to stay on a base, and so much more.

He did fantastic this season and gave it his best.

I wasn’t happy that he wasn’t given a turn to pitch because I feel like that’s where his talent is. He’s great at pitching in my opinion, but with this being his first time on a team, I didn’t want to cause any issues and ask the coaches to give him a chance. I thought maybe they would, and I feel like every kid should have had a chance to play every position, so they learn each one and get better at them.

I’m not a coach – so I let them do their thing and just sat back to cheer my little dude on – whatever he was playing on the field.

He was upset because they kept putting him in the outfield, but I told him that during the summer, we’d practice more, and next year if we’re still here – he’d go and shows them his new skills, and maybe someone else will be in the outfield and he’ll be one of their best pitchers or he’ll be on a base. Plus, he’s not the only one I’ve seen in the outfield. There were a few kids out there on repeat.

Still, I am grateful.

I am grateful for the coaches who taught him every new skill he learned and is getting better with, and that they ran to his side to guide him and train him.

I am grateful for his teammates who all cheered each other on, including my son when he was at bat, or running the bases.

These young boys always had each other’s backs and even encouraged each other when one of them would strike out. Their last game the night before last – all the boys were singing, “Let’s go, Elijah! Let’s go!”, over and over. It was the cutest thing.

I am grateful for the Baseball moms and dads who had kids on the team for years now and took me under their wing as the new baseball mom. I fully enjoyed sitting on the bleachers with them every game – talking, laughing, and having some of the funniest or best conversations with them. We always found each other at games, joked around and enjoyed cheering each other’s boys on.

I am grateful for the baseball moms I didn’t talk to, that still cheered for my kid as much as they cheered for theirs every time that he was up to bat or running bases, and I did my best once I became comfortable – to cheer on their boys as well.

I am grateful that Elijah had this opportunity to play for this team, and I am grateful for the group photo he has of all of them, so that even if we move next year and he doesn’t play for this team again – he has the memories of them.

I am going to miss this.

I was joking with a good friend of mine (Ashley) that I am NOT sad it is ending, but as soon as we came home from the last game the night before last, I won’t lie – I was a little bit sad. This is now just good memories. Good times. Ashley was laughing at me and told me, “See! That’s how I feel sometimes. It’s bitter-sweet when it all ends”. She’s in Arkansas and her boys play as well.

I am not going to miss the last-minute scheduling changes, the traveling to other parts of Minnesota for games, the double-headers, sitting in the heat and rain, rushing to get to the field on time for practices, but – I am going to miss these boys getting together to play and watching them all do their thing.

We were supposed to have a double-header today. Today was supposed to be the last game in another part of Minnesota, but for some reason, that was canceled.

I had to laugh when one of the moms I always hung out with at games – said that she is so happy they canceled the Friday game. I told her, “I knnnnnoooooowwwwww! I can’t say I was disappointed, either!”. When another dad showed up for the game the night before last, we were talking about baseball coming to an end, and he smiled and said, “And we have no game on Friday”. He was just as happy, as we laughed and shared that we were kind of happy as well. I had to laugh even more when one of the female coaches and I were talking after the game was over, and she shared that she was happy there was no game Friday. I told her that I wanted to say that, but she said it for me, and she shared that she loves baseball, but at some point – she’s just over it. 🤣

Still, like Ashley said – it is bitter-sweet.

These boys played in all kinds of weather, gave it their all, cheered each other on, encouraged each other, helped one another, and it’s all over now until next year.

A lot of these boys have been playing together since they were much younger on the T-ball teams, so the fact that this was Elijah’s first year, and they welcomed him with open arms – makes me happy. ❤️

We won the last game, and the boys followed the coaches across the way to the Football field – where they had a water balloon fight.

We stopped at the store and brought donuts for the team, so after – they enjoyed those, and helped clean up the field before they left.

As I was standing by the bleachers talking to a few parents about different things, the main coach came over, and we were talking about Baseball and Elijah practicing during the rest of the summer, and about the next season.

He was trying to talk Elijah into joining Football, but my son was uninterested in that. I love Football, so I wanted him to give it a try, but I wasn’t going to force him.

The main coach’s son ran off somewhere and came back with the bat that Elijah has been using all season.

He handed it to Elijah and told him he could keep it. 😊🧢⚾ It was such a sweet moment, and I thought that was so awesome.

During the beginning of the season when I brought the uniform Elijah needed for baseball and got everything together to make sure he had what he needed, I had asked one of the female coaches if he needs his own bat. I planned to go buy him one. I just didn’t want to spend the money if he decided he didn’t like baseball and didn’t want to continue it next year, so I was grateful when she told me no, and said they had more than enough bats there – that he could use.

When I found out how much he enjoyed playing and wanted to return to it next season, I did plan to buy him a bat and I probably still will buy him one he can pick out and enjoy, but I loved when the coach’s son gave him this one that he has now.

To me, it’s a sweet reminder of this entire season, and the experience he had, and I hope he cherishes that bat for the rest of his life, and remembers when he was 9, and started this sport.

No matter where we are next season, and who he plays for or what team – I hope he continues his love for the game and continues to make memories with it as he gets better, and goes on to maybe middle school ball, high school ball, and beyond.

I wish I could say he’s going to play with them again next year, but we’re looking to move, so I can’t say for sure.

Baseball season has ended, and again – it’s bitter-sweet, but I’m grateful for everything.

To my little Elijah – if you see this one day when you get older –

So, now what do we do?

Now that there’s no more schedules, game changes, last minute snack runs, washing his uniform over and over, rushing to the field, etc. – we enjoy the rest of the Summer.

Love you.

😊Shel😊

Baseball, an 18th, a trip to Puerto-Rico, and a new Boyfriend. :) (Or – na?)

Good morning!

     My home is clean.

I’m showered and ready to start the day.

It’s beautiful outside, and I hear we’re supposed to get thunderstorms later. (I love those!)

Listen. If you’re getting sick of hearing Baseball talk, you can click the X above and skip all of this, but if not – then let’s talk about it.

My little dude (Elijah) had a game the night before last and last night.

The game the night before last, he did amazing.

It was an away game at another school.

The other team was winning.

So, when Elijah was up to bat, and he cracked the ball half way across the field, and ran – parents and his team on our side all cheered, and we were all so excited! 😊

He smiled when he got to 1st base, and I smiled because I knew he was happy and proud. He always says he sucks, but I always remind him this is his first year playing on a team and not just for fun, so he’s not going to be perfect.

I don’t expect him to be perfect.

This isn’t the major leagues!

I’m not one of those moms who take it seriously.

I want my kid to go out there, give it his best and still have fun / enjoy it.

Nobody is coming to recruit your kid to their team for college or professional ball right now. If you’re one of the moms or dads who lose her mind over your kid not making a good play, or decision on the field, calm down! If you’re one of those moms or dads, have a beer or something after – but don’t take it out on your kid!

I understand that some parents feel like they’re preparing their kids for continuing this sport well on into high school and beyond but worry about all that when they’re teenagers in high school – or beyond.

My son said yesterday – that one of the coaches yelled at his kid in the dugout – in front of the team – because he was goofing off on the field.

My son said the kid cried – in front of the team. He was hurt. He was embarrassed. I don’t blame the kid.

And let me tell you…..

The game the night before last – when my son ran to 2nd base, some mom from the other team started screaming at one of the kids on the field, “You could have caught that! What are you doing? Pay attention!”. She was angry that my son hit 2nd base and the player chasing the ball – didn’t catch it before my son hit 2nd.

Calm down, homegirl! You’ll survive! 👀

Your team might lose, but you’ll survive. (I say that with humor), but damn. I can’t understand for the life of me – why parents take this so seriously when these kids are young and should just be enjoying themselves out there.

I don’t believe in putting all that stress and pressure on kids to be perfect in a sport, as long as they’re trying and giving it their all. 🩵

I’m NOT okay when I hear a parent, coach or someone who should be encouraging a kid – going off on them, making nasty comments, making them cry over a sport, or putting them down.

If I would have heard the coach yelling at his kid over the game and saw the kid crying, I would have said something – because that’s unnecessary!!!

What if I yell at you, sir? What if I embarrass you in front of all these parents, other coaches, and your team?

I asked my son if that same coach had ever yelled at him, and he said no.

Maybe I should start hanging out by the dugout and listening.

Anyway – the first game the night before last was beautiful.

My son made it back to the home plate, and the cheers for him were wild and so awesome. 💕

When he entered the dugout – his team wrapped him in a group hug, jumped up and down, patted his back and they all tapped the top of his helmet……more like banging on it – he says, but it was the cutest thing.

Everyone was so happy.

Another boy after him scored and we ended up winning.

Take that – Ms. Serious mom from the other team!

I wanted to look at her and be like:

VICTORY DANCE!

Again, I’m just being funny, but stop taking your kids games seriously if they’re 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Give them a break and you should just be having fun as well, and be happy that they’re not in the streets causing trouble and getting arrested.

So, we won the night before, and last night – we lost.

And – that’s okay!

Last night though……

Ooooooohhhhhhh …..last night though ……

There was this mom standing behind me by the bleachers. She had her kids with her, and one of them (a boy about my son’s age or a little older) – knew half of our team, so he was cheering on everyone who was playing from our team.

We played another team from our school, (different age group), so they all knew each other.

My son was in the outfield at one point, and the ball rarely flies out there, so my son (although he should) doesn’t always stay ready when he’s out there.

We did have a talk about it last night before the game and when the ball did fly past him, he quickly ran to grab it, turned to see what was happening, so he knew where to throw it – and this mom quietly told her son (as the other teams players hit the bases and were safe), “Oh my God! If he would have ran a little faster, he could have gotten it and got them out. He let it go right by him”. She kept going and going with other things she was saying, and my ears were open!

I can hear perfectly, so when her son asked who she was talking about, she mentioned, The outfielder. He should have…..”, and she kept going.

Her own son had to tell her, “He didn’t know the ball was going to fly past him. It’s not his fault! He ran as soon as he saw it. Don’t blame him”.

I tried, and God knows it. I really tried to keep my mouth shut, but my daughter was with me and I loudly said, “Speak up! The outfielder is mine!”.

She still kept going and started calling him “The little one” – and trying to be a little quieter, but I was right there. I could still hear her from where we were standing, so my daughter made me laugh when she took off one of her slides, and handed it to me. 😁

If I’m being honest, all I could think of – was that scene in the great movie (The Blind Side) – where Leigh Anne Tuohy goes off on the man in the stands behind her – who keeps talking about her adopted son.

I don’t know if she didn’t hear me or didn’t care when I said the Outfielder is mine, but obviously – she had a problem and this is what I’m talking about.

Parents. Coaches. Whoever you are. JUST LET THEM HAVE FUN AND BE HAPPY THEY’RE TRYING!

It drives me crazy when someone talks down to or talks about a child and what they could have done better in a sport, rather than just encouraging them and helping them get better.

I absolutely love the coaches and parents who yell, “That’s okay! You’re doing great. Better luck next time. You got this! Shake it off, it’s okay! Nice try!”.

My son ran up to me after the game yesterday and said they lost. I told him it’s okay, and reminded him of the win the night before.

He said he didn’t do good because he didn’t hit any of the balls. I told him not many of our kids did yesterday. They played an older team I believe and that older team was really good.

I told my son not every day is going to be a win. Not every day is going to be cracking the balls across the field like he did the night before, and that’s normal. I told him he tried his best, and he played a good game. 🩵

That’s how it should be!

This coach that yelled at his kid in front of everyone yesterday – told him they were going to have a talk when they got home.

Kids don’t need that crap.

Show up and shut up if you don’t have anything nice to say.

They don’t need to feel like failures, or that the parent / coaches aren’t proud. They don’t need “talks”….unless they’re encouraging. They don’t need to walk into that field in the next game – scared or worried that if they do something wrong, the parent or coach is going to flip.

Show up and Shut up!

When we encourage these kids in sports, they’ll know they can make mistakes, have bad days, bad games, and still know that we love them and we’re proud and that there’s no negativity if they don’t do their best on certain days.

I really wish I would have heard that coach yelling at putting his kid down yesterday – because yes, I would have said something! His kid or not…it’s never okay.

For the love of the game, if I EVER hear him yell at MY kid – Jesus, take the wheel!

It’s a game! These kids are young. Colleges and the big leagues aren’t coming to their games to scout them right now, so chill out!

        ****

    In other news, I was planning a cute 18th birthday for my youngest daughter (who turns 18 next month), and I mentioned to a few of her friends that I’d be having something for her.

I said I’d let them know.

I mean – 18 is a huge milestone that has to be celebrated, right?

My daughter messaged me while I was out this week, and she asked why I told some of her friends that she was having an 18th birthday.

She was NOT happy about it and said she doesn’t want a party. She made it so clear, and she said there’s a few places she wants to go on her birthday but absolutely does not want a party.

Last year for her 17th, we went wherever she wanted to go, and I got her a Sash and crown to wear, but this year – upon not wanting a party, she also told me she doesn’t want a sash and crown.

I told her it’s her 18th, and that’s huge.

Still, I guess I have to respect her wishes, right?

It sucks when kids get older and start clearly stating what they want and don’t want, and no matter what you want to do for them, give them or how you think things should go – you have to honor their wishes sometimes and go with the flow.

I want her to be happy on her 18th, and the places she wants to go – are simple, so that’s what we’re doing for her birthday.

I guess it’s easier on me as well because it’s less money than a big party, and it’s less stressful from not having to plan a big party, so I should be thrilled that she doesn’t want one.

I can’t believe I’ll have another adult child next month, and then – there’s only 8 more years until my little dude turns 18, as he’ll be 10 in November.

Time needs to slow the hell down.

My daughter is turning into her own person now, and she’s finding who she is and figuring out what she wants to do with her life. She’s becoming more independent, and she’s so ready to get a job and have her own money.

I am so proud of her!

She has also learned how to play around with ChatGPT, so apparently, we went to Puerto-Rico, and I have a boyfriend now. 🤣

The trip we never took.

The boyfriend that doesn’t exist.

LOL.

She makes me giggle when she creates and sends me these fun photos, and I joked with her yesterday that now I kind of want to find a boyfriend and travel to Puerto-Rico. ❤️🤔❤️

My darlings.

I hope you have a beautiful day.

If you’re coming across this – don’t forget to subscribe to get updates by email or hit that follow buttons and I’ll follow back.

🍵Shel🍵

Player of the game, and a 3rd movie Sequel.

So, my little dude had a game last night.

A double-header.

I had to laugh when we got there and two of the other teams’ boys were playing for us – because some of our boys couldn’t make it.

I can’t even imagine how tough that is feeling like you have some kind of obligation to help the opposing team because you’re playing for them to substitute the boys that are missing from that team but also feeling a dedication and loyalty to your own team that you’re playing against for the day.

One of the boys from the other team – that was playing for our team – kept getting home runs, and my older son and I joked that he’s not going to be allowed in their locker room later. His team is going to turn their backs on him, but – in all honesty – they showed so much good sportsmanship, love, respect, and encouragement to each other. 😊

It was the cutest thing when one of our boys hurt his knee, and both teams that were on the field – took a knee to show him respect and love. They stayed that way until they knew he was okay.

At one point, my little dude was batting, and he got hit in the jaw with the baseball.

I knew he was hurt and as much as I wanted to run out there, make sure he was okay and give him the biggest hug, I just stood up and stayed by the stands because his coach ran over to him and I knew his coach had his back. If he was really hurt, his coach would pull him out, but after standing with him for a few minutes and everyone watching to make sure he was okay, my little dude shook it off and ran to first base.

I did a huge sigh of relief because no parent wants to see another kid get hurt, let alone our own.

He is just fine today, and while it was probably a shock to get hit like that, it’s the Baseball life and he’s not the only one who has ever been hit by a baseball in the game. A few weeks ago, one of the other boys took a hit to the eye. (Thankfully, he was just fine).

The coach was awesome and kept checking on my Elijah.

At another point, I wanted to run onto the field and yell, “HE’S SAFE!”.

I didn’t want to be THAT mom, and I’m usually pretty quiet and chill at games, but this one time yesterday – I almost caved with the pressure. ha.

The coach from the other team tried to say that my son was OUT – when he hit 3rd base, because he swore up and down his player caught the ball and tagged my son out, when this boy didn’t even tap the base or my son if and when he caught the ball. I didn’t see exactly how it all went down, but I know my son was safe, so when this other coach tried to run him off the field, there was no way I was having that.

He tried to argue with one of our volunteer coaches (who is also amazing) and she wasn’t having it! She held it down on that field yesterday, and while my son ran off the field because he thought he was out, she called him back in and told him to take his place back on 3rd – as it should be!

After the game, I walked up to that mom / woman and told her how happy I was that she stood her ground and defended Elijah. She told me what happened, and I was more than happy that he was able to take his spot back where he belonged and made his home run.

I have a good friend named Ashley. Ashley is a Baseball mom as well, and she always jokes about how she’s the loudest mom at games, so if the other coach or someone makes a foul call – she’s screaming and calling them out on it.

I didn’t want to be like Ashley and get crazy and loud, but I almost became Ashley and almost got crazy and loud during that little foul call he tried to play against my kid. 🤔🤣⚾

I was a good girl though and let the other coach handle it.

Besides that……….

Every game we play – someone gets to choose who gets the “Player of the Game” baseball.

I was so happy and proud when my son received one for the 1st game in the double-header.

The coach shared how much he’s improved since he first started, how he really tries, and how proud he is of him, so …. my Elijah was given his very first “Player of the game” baseball, and we will be finding a case for it, and cherishing it forever.

❤️

🙂

As I was driving home last night from the game, I looked back and Elijah had his eyes closed.

He was so tired.

I smiled and wondered if and when we move closer to Illinois like we’ve been wanting to, are we going to miss this? Are we going to miss the no traffic jams going to and from further games? Are we going to miss his entire team that he played with and could continue to play with if we stayed here and just made this home forever? Are we going to miss the quietness of the country life? Are we going to miss the baseball crew he loves and knows? The coaches? The excitement of it all?

Yes, he could play for other teams wherever we move, but I don’t know if it will feel the same.

I think part of us will miss this little town life, but part of us will also be happy to be back to what and who we know in the place we came from.

Home is where the money, better opportunities, better career choices, friends, family and everything close is, but here in Minnesota – where we are now – we’ve gotten to know some amazing people, some amazing kids, and it’s peaceful.

My older son and I were talking about this last night as I drove home.

I’ve thought about trying to buy a house out here, but we also know that our hearts are not happy here.

I was once told that this little town is a place you either move to when you have tons of money and just want to sit back and relax from now on, or a place you retire to – and I don’t disagree.

Still, driving home last night – I wondered if we’d miss all this “boring” and “quiet” stuff when and if we moved back. My son joked that we should move back to Illinois, save a ton of money, and then move right back here, and I laughed and told him that’s not how it works.

Anyway, we had a good game yesterday, and while I’m not sure who won both games yet, the ride to another part of Minnesota was beautiful and peaceful, the games were awesome, and we got home safely, Thank God!

In other news…………

I’m a bit excited right now because I just heard that Ice Cube and Nia Long are reuniting for a new movie (ARE THEY GONE YET?).

If you’ve never heard of the other two movies or have never seen them, you’re going to have to!

I absolutely love – love – love them both.

In the first movie (ARE WE THERE YET?) Nick (played by Ice Cube) owns his own business and when he happens to look outside and sees the beautiful Suzanne standing there, he feels like he’s fallen in love almost immediately.

He quickly finds out she has two young kids, and that stops him in his tracks. Nick doesn’t like or want kids, so he feels like Suzanne is off limits now.

One night, he sees her on the side of the road with a broken-down car – in the rain, and while his mind and his imagination tell him to keep going, his heart won’t let him.

He ends up getting into the middle of Suzanne’s dramas, life, and involved with the kids in ways he never saw coming, but eventually – he realizes he wouldn’t have it any other way. 😊

(Photo taken from the Pinion) site.

In the second movie – (ARE WE DONE YET?) – I don’t want to give away spoilers if you haven’t seen it and may want to, but let’s just say that’s a whole set of other dramas, headaches, and craziness.

Both movies are awesome, so go check them out.

When I heard the new one is happening, I was thrilled because I’m pretty sure now that the kids are older, it’s still going to be great and probably even more hilarious than the first two.

I’m looking forward to it. I’ve read a bit about it, but I can’t wait.

My darlings. I wish I had other things to discuss, but my life is pretty chill right now, (or, shall I say – anything but chill, but I’m not going to get into the headaches of my life right now). ha.

❤️Shel❤️