| With spring come a couple of challenges for many | | | | other little brothers and sisters. Sure there's lots of mud |
| fastpitch softball families - adjusting to new softball | | | | and sometimes some potty accidents, but they can't |
| mitts and new teams. | | | | wait for the next game. |
| While having a new team is great, it can also be a bit | | | | I've always gotten involved, helping out here and there |
| of a headache. There's getting to know a new coach, | | | | with informal tasks, and I'd encourage you to do this |
| meeting a new set of parents, and new players who | | | | too as a way to get to know other parents. At various |
| may or may not be a good match for your daughter's | | | | times I've helped keep the batting order straight (much |
| personality. There might be new practice expectations, | | | | harder than it sounds with a t-ball team), and helped |
| new locations and - heaven forbid - the dreaded | | | | the catcher put on and take off her complicated |
| "snack calendars." There might even be a new league | | | | equipment between innings. I've also organized snacks |
| or new rules. | | | | (which I must admit is my least-favorite duty), |
| That's a lot for a parent to keep up with! | | | | organized end-of-the-year parties, and even collected |
| With the long stretches of time spent together during | | | | for picture day and fundraisers. All these things take |
| practices and during what can seem like day-long | | | | no experience, just a willingness to help out, and they |
| games -- particularly when you're freezing or roasting! | | | | are excellent ways to get to know everyone and |
| -- girls and families spend lots of time together. Softball | | | | have more fun. |
| offers a unique opportunity for making friends. | | | | As for me, I'm always happiest when I can catch a |
| With the beginning of each new team, there is often a | | | | breather. Having gotten the girls in one piece to |
| bit of sadness or surprise at who doesn't show up. | | | | practice or to a game, hopefully well fed and with all |
| Close friends from years past might have moved, or | | | | their gear ready to go, I can take a moment to soak |
| their girls might have chosen to focus on other | | | | up the sun, have a nice chat with my |
| interests. Although it's completely natural, we always | | | | fellow-parent-friends, and watch our kids do amazing |
| miss our friends from past years. | | | | things out on the field. |
| But, that makes room for new people and new friends | | | | It's an awesome feeling to know that my girls are |
| that we will also grow to love. So with the sadness | | | | growing, acquiring skills like leadership and teamwork, |
| comes a new opportunity. | | | | and that they are making close friendships with other |
| If you're new to the sport of softball, don't be shy - I | | | | girls who share so many of the same interests. |
| can guarantee that the other parents, coaches and | | | | As someone who is raising girls, I also love the role |
| players are looking forward to knowing you. Just get | | | | models my daughters find in this sport. My oldest |
| your folding chair, shades and a water bottle (and if | | | | daughter's coach from last year, Cecile, is an amazing |
| you're here in Chicago, be sure to bring along a blanket | | | | young woman who will have a lasting influence. She is |
| so you won't freeze to death) and get ready for | | | | fun, family-oriented, and involved in many activities. She |
| some fun. | | | | works in a challenging field, yet plays softball and |
| Be sure to bring along your own softball mitts just in | | | | coaches in her spare time. She was also really cool, |
| case there's an opportunity to play a bit of catch. | | | | arriving at practices in her navy blue convertible. My |
| You'll find that softball parents are quite social, and that | | | | daughter loved her so much that she even wrote an |
| little brothers and sisters (and even older ones, too) | | | | essay on her in school, citing her as someone she |
| tend to become fast friends after just a game or two. | | | | wants to be like when she grows up. |
| One of the best things about softball is that whole | | | | I wish you the best of friendships and fun as you and |
| families get to know each other. My two youngest | | | | your family takes its softball mitts on the road to |
| daughters (ages 3 and 5) already love softball, | | | | pursue the great sport of fastpitch softball. Enjoy! |
| because they know they'll get to hang out with all the | | | | |