In our household, baseball transcends mere hobby; it embodies our lifestyle. When we pondered whether our daughter would share this enthusiasm for the sport, we recognized she was stepping up to the plate with high expectations. Born into a family with two teenage brothers who spend more time on the field than most professionals—and parents who coached and played extensively—Mia was destined to become a “Swinging Sister,” whether she liked it or not.
A fact that many outside of Southern California overlook is that there’s no defined baseball “season.” At the high school level, summer ball is followed by fall ball, winter ball, and then spring. Before that, starting from age four until middle school graduation, parents have endless opportunities to fill their schedules with Little League games, practices, and volunteer commitments. Plus, there’s travel ball, which can be an option for any age, anytime, at a premium.
Our sons, Jake and Liam, engaged in all these activities simultaneously. For years, our baseball calendar dominated our lives, often requiring my partner and I to split up, each taking a child to various events.
So, when I discovered I was pregnant at 40, we were definitely caught off guard. As the pregnancy test confirmed my news, my first thought was, “Where will I fit a car seat and stroller?” My midsize sedan was already crammed with gear—batting tees, pitching nets, and a collection of baseballs. Have you ever seen the size of a rolling catcher’s bag?
We opted for an off-season upgrade: farewell to the sedan, and hello to a spacious SUV. I stepped down from my coaching role, and when Mia made her debut in November 2010, we eagerly welcomed her into our baseball clan.
Mia was born during a widespread whooping cough outbreak, so we kept her away from public places until she was four months old and fully vaccinated. Yet, at just three weeks old, she attended her first outdoor travel game.
Like a versatile player, Mia adapted well to her surroundings. She nursed comfortably while I sat in my foldable chair, eyes glued to Braden’s pitches. During chillier evening games, we retreated to the warmth of our SUV’s backseat, watching the action unfold.
When All-Star season arrived, I decorated her onesies with fabric paint in Braden’s team colors and jersey number. Although Mia mostly snoozed through games, she proudly wore her tiny Encinitas Reds zip-up and a rare pink El Camino High School baseball jacket I snagged on clearance, showing support for her oldest brother.
Now that she’s four and developing her own fashion sense, getting her to match the family’s baseball attire has become tricky. I scored with a “Lil Sis” tank top embellished with sparkles and her brothers’ shared number 9, but I flopped with a “My Brother Can Get Your Brother Out” T-shirt, which required quite a bit of bribing (a pink version would have worked wonders!).
Baseball has opened up numerous travel adventures for Mia. She has journeyed throughout San Diego County, taken a road trip to Las Vegas for Braden’s tournament, and cheered for her brothers in Arizona and Los Angeles. This year, she even flew to Denver for Tanner’s college baseball opener.
Mia has experienced games in sweltering heat and bundled up for those with unexpected snow flurries. She has become quite adept at managing a busy schedule. Recently, when Tanner’s college team traveled from South Dakota to Southern California, we watched ten games in a week with no complaints from her. I wish I had a nickel for every time someone remarked, “She is such a trooper.” It may sound cliché, but she genuinely is. Of course, transporting her required an entire team effort and our spacious SUV, filled with fruit snacks, juice boxes, and a variety of toys to keep her entertained during long innings.
Teens, especially high school cheerleaders, have become her favorite companions. By the time Tanner graduated, she had developed quite the following. Yet, she gets even more excited when one of her brothers’ teammates has a sibling close to her age, which is rare given the age gap between her and her brothers.
As each season transitions, it’s not unusual for Mia to mix up which families belong to which teams. A few times a month, as we prepare for a game, she’ll ask, “Will Emma be there?” but Emma’s brother is also now playing college ball.
After four years of being immersed in this baseball lifestyle, we’re starting to notice signs that Mia’s enthusiasm may be waning. Occasionally, she’ll plead, “Can we go now?” before the first inning wraps up. With over two years left in Braden’s high school and travel ball careers, plus Tanner’s college games, there’s still a lot of baseball in Mia’s future.
However, as Mia grows, her interests are becoming her own. Just the other weekend, we attended a college game for a friend’s son. Midway through the eighth inning, Mia looked up from her book and seemed puzzled, realizing Braden was in the stands instead of on the field. “What are we doing here?” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
People often ask when Mia will transition from spectator to player. Given her background, many wonder if she’ll follow in her brothers’ footsteps and make a name for herself on the field. Perhaps she’ll wear number 9 and take third base like them, or maybe the only diamonds she’ll care about will be the plastic ones in her tiara while pretending to be a Disney princess. She loves hitting wiffle balls and beams when she catches a ball in her tiny glove, but I can’t help but wonder if she’d be interested if her equipment weren’t pink.
I reflect on whether being born into a baseball family has instilled a love for the game in Mia or if it has pushed her away from it. Only time will tell. For now, with her current passions (dancing and horseback riding) clearly defined, I consider what our lives will look like if she decides—gulp—to not pursue baseball.
The answer is straightforward: as supportive parents, we will back her in whatever she chooses. However, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss the thrill of the game, the crack of the bat, and my well-practiced skills in dusting off infield dirt from laundry each week. Regardless of her path, I know I still have plenty of cheering left in me. I could easily adapt to being a horse show mom or perhaps even a dance mom. However, given my history, I’m hopeful Mia will one day share my passion for the dirt and diamonds of baseball.
For more insights about home insemination, be sure to check out this guide. Additionally, those looking for a more extensive understanding of couple’s fertility journeys should visit this resource. For comprehensive information on intrauterine insemination, consider this article.
In summary, this reflection highlights the journey of a family deeply entrenched in baseball culture, celebrating the joys and challenges of parenting in this environment. As they navigate their daughter’s evolving interests, they remain committed to supporting her, whatever direction her passions may take.
Keyphrase: baseball mom reflections
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]