Smacksy Saturday Photo: At Bat

In Southern California, the season lasts all year. Thank goodness.

Seeds

When you do a load of laundry for a baseball player, you can always expect a handful of freshly washed sunflower seeds to fall out of your dryer.

How I Know I'm Back Home

Back on the other side of the baseball chain-link fence. And loving it.

Practice

Huddling up under a pink sky.

On Being a Baseball Mom

It started with T-ball when Bob was five. My job was to buy him a (tiny) glove and (tiny) cleats, get him to practice and games and cheer him on from the bleachers. Those first few years in the stands, I learned a lot about the importance of (SPF30) sunscreen and a (giant) sun hat.

As Bob moved into club baseball in addition to Little League, I was volun-forced into keeping score - first on traditional paper scorekeeping templates, then on an app. Because I had yet to internalize the rules, this was a big stretch for me, requiring a lot of time and error and strenuous use of the "un-do" button on my phone. My sunscreen use became more stringent (SPF 50) and the brim circumference on my sun hat reached peak life guard standards.

When Bob began playing for multiple teams, every day was spent in the stands at various fields. We traveled to exotic places with names like Covina, and El Monte, and South El Monte. We drove to Las Vegas (SPF 100) and flew to Hawaii (Zinc broad spectrum coverage). My hat of choice resembled that of a bee keeper.

Mr. Rosenberg and I had, at best, rudimentary knowledge of the game going into this baseball experience, but now find ourselves watching MLB games on TV even when Bob isn't home. I'll let you sit with that for a moment. I understand what WHIP stats are and know the ins and outs of the infield fly rule. Who am I?

Through baseball, and the hard-work of terrific coaches, the boys learn teamwork and perseverance, how to work hard towards specific goals, push physical limits, and how to implement change from constructive feedback. As a baseball mom, I can say I've learned the same. The other parents and coaches are my team. I can wrangle a complicated carpool map with ease. My hat of choice is now a large golf umbrella. I have an extreme farmer tan. The inside of my car looks like a Big 5.

Baseball is shaping Bob into a responsible young man. and I wouldn't trade my own experience for all the sunscreen in CVS.

Coors Field

Tonight we took Bob to see his favorite baseball team, the Colorado Rockies. We've seen them play many times before but this was the first time we saw them play in their home field. The clouds stole the show.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Another Field

Little League games end this week. It's a good thing he has the other two teams to keep him going.

Maverick Field

We're back at the field near the stables. It smells like horses and night blooming jasmine and freshly cut grass. 

Monday Night is a Good Night For a Game

So are all of the other nights. 

Another Fantastic Day, Another Lovely Diamond

Don't you agree?

Smacksy Saturday Photo: The Parents vs Kids Game

Best game of Spring Training. (And the kids won.)

Spring Training in Arizona

Dodgers vs Rockies in Arizona. On a school day. Perfect.

4 Blankets, 2 Coats, Gloves, and a Hat. And That's Just Me

My friend Amy took this photo of Emily and I at the kids' baseball game on Monday night. If you live in Southern California, 44º feels like a blizzard.

Baseball Guy

Baseball Guy, clay and paint, by Bob Rosenberg

Smacksy Saturday Photo: First Day of the Tournament

What do you do in between playing games? You play more.

Charging and Playing

On our way to Vegas for a baseball tournament, we stopped at a charging station to charge up the car. The big forty charger station in the desert was empty, save for us. We had about an hour to wait, so the guys pulled out a ball and their gloves. It really livened the place up.

What's Going On?

Me: Do you realize what's happening?

Mr. Rosenberg: Probably not.

Me: Bob's at practice and we are sitting here watching baseball on TV when we don't have to.

Mr. Rosenberg: And we want to.

Me: We're totally into it.

Mr. Rosenberg: Who are we in this moment?

Me: I'm confused.

Mr. Rosenberg: Oh! And he strikes out looking!

Smacksy Saturday Photo: A Perfect Day

For a ball game.

Meeting at Home

Coach Talk

Practice

Just some guys playing ball.