In our household, baseball has never been just a hobby; it’s woven into the very fabric of our lives. So when we learned that our daughter would soon join the ranks, we knew she was stepping up to the plate with some hefty expectations. With two older brothers who spend more time on the field than some professionals—and parents who have coached and played for years—Ella was practically destined to become a little baseball enthusiast, whether she liked it or not.
Understanding Southern California Baseball Culture
For those unfamiliar with Southern California baseball culture, it’s important to understand that there’s no distinct “season” for this sport. At the high school level, kids engage in summer ball, then fall ball, winter ball, and finally spring season. Prior to that, from the age of 4 until they graduate middle school, children can fill their days with Little League games, practices, and endless volunteer commitments. And let’s not overlook the travel ball scene, available to any age group at any time, albeit at a significant cost.
Our sons, Jake and Ryan, participated in all of these leagues simultaneously. The baseball calendar was all-consuming, often splitting my husband and me in opposite directions during weeknights and weekends.
A Curveball at 39
So, when I discovered I was pregnant at 39, we were definitely thrown a curveball. As I stared at the pregnancy test showing a positive result, my mind raced with thoughts of where on earth I would squeeze a car seat and stroller into our already crowded life. My midsize Volvo was filled to the brim with equipment bags, batting tees, and the notorious rolling catcher’s bag.
After some consideration, we made a strategic trade: goodbye Volvo, and hello massive, fuel-guzzling SUV. I stepped back from my coaching role, and when Ella arrived in December 2011, we eagerly welcomed her into our ever-expanding baseball family.
Introducing Ella to the Game
Given that she was born during a statewide whooping cough outbreak, we were cautious about exposing her to public spaces until she was four months old and had received two rounds of vaccinations. However, just three weeks into her life, she attended her first outdoor travel ball game.
Ella quickly demonstrated her adaptability, nursing while I lounged in my foldable chair, never missing a pitch thrown by Ryan. If Jake’s evening games turned chilly, we simply retreated to the spacious backseat of our SUV, watching from the warmth of our vehicle.
When All-Star season arrived, I bought fabric paint to deck out her onesies in Ryan’s team colors, although Ella mostly slept through the games in her stroller. She easily matched the family vibe at Ryan’s weekend travel tournaments, sporting her mini team jacket. I even found an 18-month-sized brown sweatshirt on clearance, featuring the El Camino High School baseball logo in pink—an exclusive item for her to cheer on her oldest brother.
Growing Up in the Baseball World
Now that she’s four and developing her own style, coordinating outfits has become a bit trickier. I hit a home run with a customized “Lil Sis” tank that sparkles, but I struck out with a black “My Brother Can Get Your Brother Out” shirt, convincing her to wear it only once, thanks to a bribe of candy. If only it had come in pink!
Baseball has provided Ella with countless travel adventures. At just six months, she road-tripped to Las Vegas for Ryan’s tournament and has cheered for her brothers in Arizona and numerous times in the greater Los Angeles area. This year, she even flew to Denver for Jake’s college baseball opener.
Ella has braved games in sweltering heat and bundled up for chilly ones amid snow flurries. She has also become adept at managing a hectic schedule. This past March, we took in ten games in seven days without a single complaint from her. I often hear, “She is such a trooper,” and while it sounds cliché, it’s true. Of course, it takes an entire crew to transport the array of items we bring to keep her entertained—thank you again, massive SUV. Our game-day essentials include fruit snacks, juice boxes, Goldfish crackers, coloring books, stickers, and even a special duffel designed to carry a small dollhouse.
Building Connections
Even better than toys are high school girls. With a group of cheerleaders who began doting on her when Jake was a freshman, Ella amassed quite the fan club by the time he graduated. But nothing rivals the excitement of finding a teammate’s sibling who’s close to her age. With a 12 to 15-year gap between siblings, these opportunities are rare.
Kudos also go to my fellow baseball moms who have showered Ella with treats and toys, keeping her entertained through long innings. As each season transitions, it’s no surprise that she sometimes forgets which families belong to which of her brothers’ teams. A few times each month, as we gear up for a game, she’ll hopefully ask, “Will Mia be there?” Sadly, Mia’s brother, like Jake, has moved on to college ball.
Facing the Future
Four years into this relentless baseball life, we’re starting to notice Ella’s enthusiasm waning. Occasionally, she’ll plead, “Can we go now?” before the first inning even wraps up. With over two years left in Ryan’s high school and travel ball career—and the possibility of Jake’s college games—we see a lot more baseball in Ella’s future.
But Ella is becoming her own person, and we’re uncertain if she’ll share the same passion for the game. Just last weekend, while at a college baseball game for a friend’s son, she suddenly glanced around and asked, “What are we doing here?”—clearly perplexed by the situation.
The million-dollar question remains: Will Ella transition from spectator to player? Given her upbringing, it seems logical to wonder if she’ll one day sport number 9 on the field, just like her brothers, or if her interests will lie elsewhere, perhaps in the realm of imaginative play with plastic tiaras. She enjoys hitting wiffle balls and beams when she catches one with her tiny glove, but I can’t help but question if she would show as much interest if her equipment weren’t pink.
Being born into our baseball family could either ignite a passion in Ella or turn her away from the sport altogether. Only time will tell. For now, with her interests firmly rooted in dancing and horseback riding, I find myself pondering what our lives might look like if she ultimately chooses not to play ball.
As devoted parents, we will support whatever path she chooses, but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss the crack of the bat and the thrill of the game. It would be a waste of talent if I no longer had to de-dirtify uniforms each week. Regardless of what lies ahead, I know I have plenty of cheering left in me. Who knows, I might even excel as a horse show mom or dance mom. Yet, as a baseball mom, I’ve already hit a home run, so I hold out hope that one day, my little diva will find her calling in the world of dirt and diamonds.
This article was originally published on August 22, 2015.
Further Reading
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC or explore our article on at-home insemination kits. For authoritative insights on fertility and family planning, you can also visit ABC News.