Excuse me for a second, but I just so happen to be a all-star baseball mom “virgin”. Meaning that… my kid was just a normal 6 year old baseball player until 3 weeks ago.
But then, you see, we got this invitation for him to play on what they call the “All-Star” team. That’s when things got serious.
And crazy competitive. Like whoooooa.
All the sudden he had a jersey with his name on the back. And the spectators (aka the parents and grandparents)? Tripled in size. Not to mention that they played REAL baseball games where they followed the three outs rule. No more of the “every kid in the line up bats” kind of baseball.
You see, the problem with this all-star thing was this….
No one freaking warned me I’d want to have a dang anxiety attack each time he was up to bat.
And no one told me that parents would be 800 times more competitive and loud. No one told me that 1st grade all-star baseball was practically like major league baseball.
Not a single person warned me.
I found myself shouting at him from the stands…
“BE READY PARKER! BE READY!”
And my husband… he was coaching him from the sidelines like he might stroke out if he made a bad play.
I just don’t know if my stress levels can take this kind of torture. I mean, I’m not even that competitive and I found myself wanting my kid to be a winner.
Please, all of you seasoned mothers, tell me how you survived all these years of sports…and all-star teams?
Obviously I have years and years of sports ahead in my future. I’m either gonna need your great advice. Or medication.
Thanks for the warning Mandy! My kids are still too young for “real” sports, but the day will come soon and I know I won’t be ready. Can’t wait to read all the advice from more experienced moms. My daughter who is three already wants to compete in gymnastics. I don’t look forward to the day of watching her do flips on the beam…I don’t think I will be able to handle the stress!
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Too funny! In my town, regular season games are about as competitive as they come. My oldest is going into Kindergarten and I was anxious every game…I fear it’s only going to get harder for us bleacher moms! -Audra
I agree…can you even fathom High School ball??? GAH!
Omg, my son us about to be three and I know this is in my future! He loves baseball and soccer so we will see what he chooses. My 9 year old daughter has been a competitive dancer for the last 4 years and this year has been the most stressful and full of panic attacks, lol! 7 dance teams, a solo, and many arials and tricks on stage makes you stop breathing every time she’s up there!
OMG…competitive dance is crazy! I was in that for YEARS and I remember how stressful it was on ME! Good luck to you!
As the mom of a former All star and current soccer player who will be playing in college, all I can say is don’t expect to have any fingernails. My son is the goalie and I bit my nails every season. But enjoy this time because it quickly passes. He will be playing 1000 miles from home and I will not be able to see him play every game.
So true Lisa!!! And then I’ll want to travel with him. Hehe!
My youngest is now in 3rd grade, so he will be my 4th kiddo in the whole “All-Star” world. The best advice I can give you is to pace yourself. If your little guy likes athletics, this will probably be the first year out of 12 you will be sitting in the stands watching him. The best advice I ever got from a coach was to limit my words to “I just love watching you play ball.” No going over play by play after the game, no super hype before the game (not that you do this, but I definitely did in the beginning). Otherwise, sports can become your child’s job instead of their joy. And it IS a pure joy to watch them – I still love every practice, game, and photo op! Have fun <3
Ohhhhh GREAT advice Cindy!! I found myself trying to “teach” him things after each game. But, you are right, I should just tell him “I love watching you play!” Thank you!
My kids compete nationally in gymnastics, and at 10 and 12, they know what they want and don’t want out of me. I am never allowed to yell their names or cheer them on while performing. So I concentrate on holding the camera steady and get my friends (other moms) to cheer for me. And as for nerves, seeing other parents more nervous reminds me that this is a just a hobby for their enjoyment, not a career.
My kids aren’t old enough for organized sports yet but I have a feeling it will be in our future with how active our kids are already. Thanks for the warning!
I can SOOOO relate!! I have three boys; ages 7 and 5. (Youngest two are twins) My oldest, Wade, was chosen for All-Stars this year. First time and we were excited. We went from 1hr practices to 3hr practices! He worked harder than ever before. So much so he actually started to not love it. But then the game rolled around and all of their hard work paid off. I was so that mom yelling in the stands. Poor Wade had so many fence coaches he probably didn’t know what to think! I’d whisper a prayer when he’d walk up to bat and seriously jumped up clapping when he hit the ball. Had to keep telling myself to settle down! Like you, I have a feeling a lot of this lies ahead. It’s crazy, but I love it!
This my dear is only the beginning!;) I have 4 kids ages 19 year old (twins boys), a 12 year old boy and a 9 year old girl. All 3 boys play or played baseball. Now one is playing in college one is on a travel team and my daughter is in competitive gymnastics. Wait until travel ball starts. Try outs and picking the right team are nerve racking like no game has been so far. Then just when you feel good about your team you learn soon your family vacations will be based on when you have an open week or when you can tack on a few extra days in one of the destinations of your sons’ baseball tournaments. It is completely consuming, but also one of the funnest things you will ever do. You get to have incredible friendships with other families year after year. You get to watch these little boys do amazing things out on the baseball field! You will see them hit farther, slide faster, and think on their toes like you never knew they could. As nail biting as it is, it will be one of the funnest times of your children’s lives. Enjoy it!
I have a 9 year old son who started wrestling at 4, baseball at 6, and football at 8. I agree with one of your other followers who mentioned simply saying ” I love watching you play” My husband was a wrestler and football player so he was coaching ME early on about making sure that our son continues to love these sports when they become High School/College level. Just remember that they have coaches and when the game is over they just need their mom to be just that. It has been a learning experience but I am getting better. Yes it is competitive, but Competition is never a bad thing. We pray with our son before each game and wrestling match, and I find myself praying between them as well. I am sure with 3 boys you will get the swing of things really quickly. Best wishes on your baseball endeavors.
I love this post! I have a 3.5 and 1.5 year old and I love baseball. I can’t wait for my boys to play but I will definitely be one of the crazy parents. I even joked that if my husband doesn’t want to help coach that I will. PS- I love that Sloane is chillin and playing with no shoes on!