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April 20, 2021 · 48 Comments

Baseball Mom Bag: How to Pack the Ultimate Baseball Mom Survival Bag

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Need a baseball mom survival kit? Get a complete checklist of essential items to keep in your baseball mom survival bag! Works for softball mom essentials too!

What is a Baseball Mom Bag?

My kids have been playing baseball for a few years now. We have played in rain or shine. We have played for hours in the scorching heat and in the bitter cold. We have played at fields with bleachers and at fields where there isn’t any available seating. We’ve played at fields near uncut grass where ticks abound and in the middle of swarms of mosquitoes.

Imagine being unprepared for all of that? No thanks!

It has helped tremendously to be prepared with a baseball mom survival bag!

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A baseball mom survival bag is a bag full of all the essentials you, Mom, might need when you go to see your kids play baseball or softball. Just like they have a sports bag full of the items they need to play the game, you can have a bag full of items you need to be comfortable while watching that game.

Think about it: do you want to be uncomfortable for a few hours while your kids play ball? Chances are, no!

Ultimate Checklist for a Baseball Mom Bag

I keep my Baseball Mom Survival Bag in my car at all times, and restock it as needed. I also keep a folding camp chair in the car. This way, if ever a game or practice has been moved to a different day or time, I’m always prepared.

I use a Thirty-One zippered utility tote for my survival bag, but any small tote like this baseball mom bag will do.

This is my ultimate baseball mom survival bag checklist (scroll down to get a free printable checklist below!).

Mind you, I have four kids and always feel the need to be prepared for anything!

Sunscreen: Even though I apply sunscreen on everyone’s skin before we leave, I still bring extra along. When you’re sitting at a game for a few hours in the sun, it’s a great idea to reapply sunscreen as necessary.

Bugspray: I bring bugspray that protects me from gnats, mosquitoes, and ticks. My favorite spray is the  Avon Skin so Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition SPF 30 Pump Spray . It is  DEET-free, PABA-free, dermatologist-tested, and hypoallergenic. It works very well to keep the insects away, plus it has SPF. 

I also like using this Gnat Repellent Roll On for those pesky lil’ black flies, gnats, and no-see-ums.

Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the sun and protect the umpire from your glare with a stylish pair of sunglasses.

Snacks : Cheering loudly for your favorite team burns off some calories, so why not bring some snacks along? Some portable snacks include:

• dried fruit
• sunflower seeds
• protein bars
• fruit pouch
• fresh fruit (apples, watermelon, bananas, etc)
• granola bars
• fruit leather

Cash for concession stand : Most fields have concession stands, which help raise money for the local baseball league. And let’s face it: chances are pretty good that your kids will want to get a snack from the stand, so why not be prepared?

Extra hoodie/sweatshirt : Our home fields are on top of a mountain, so it gets pretty chilly up there. I bring an extra hoodie with me to ward off the chill.

Lip balm or gloss: I don’t go anywhere without my lip gloss. I just don’t like having chapped lips!

Hand sanitizer: You just don’t know which fields will have soap in their bathrooms. A little travel  bottle of hand sanitizer that hangs on your bag or hand sanitizer wipes will be useful.

Face mask: Starting in 2020, you may need to wear a face mask when you are around other people. You’re better off bringing a few of these with you. (Note: Mask mandates have changed. Ask your team’s coach about any new guidelines the league is following.)

First aid kit : While most teams are required to have their own first aid kit, it wouldn’t hurt to have one on hand just in case. For me, I like to have one for my other kids who are playing at the park instead of watching the game. This first aid kit is perfect for a baseball mom survival bag, but I also bring along:

• extra bandaids, because you can just never have enough
• antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes
• Benadryl, in case anyone has an allergy attack or is allergic to bee stings
• bug bite spray , because sometimes those buggers bite you anyway
• antacids for when you have an upset stomach from concession stand food

Gum/mints: You’ll probably be talking to other parents (yes, even us introverts talk to people), so why not have fresh breath after consuming your concession stand hot dog?

Wipes: I keep a pack of baby wipes with me at all times since they’re great for cleaning off hands and faces.

Umbrella: Some teams may call it quits when it rains, but others refuse to quit unless there’s thunder and lightning. A large yet compact golf umbrella should keep you dry.

Extra phone charger: I need my smartphone ready to go at all times, not only for the obvious phone capabilities, but also for capturing photos and navigating our way home from far away fields. I actually keep two extra portable phone chargers in my bag just in case.

Copy of schedule: Ever show up to a field but no one is around? It’s handy to keep an updated version of the team’s schedule in your bag just in case. Make sure to have the coach’s phone number on it as well.

Directions to fields: It wouldn’t hurt to have printed out directions to the fields, just in case your smartphone or GPS loses reception.

TIP: Have stinky cleats or sneakers? Mix 1 cup of baking soda or cornstarch with 24 drops of BO Be Gone Essential Oil blend and sprinkle that in shoes. Leave in for 24 hours, and then tap out excess. (Find more essential oils cleaning tips here.)

Baseball moms! What did I miss? Would this list help to keep you prepared? amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hubp0dcb1-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B01BQRZ7M6"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "6ddf6f71199265ade78b6aab22ccb61a";

This list might seem overkill for some, but honestly, as a mom of four kids, I always feel it’s better to be prepared for anything!

( Bringing along a baby? Read my Summer Diaper Bag Essentials Checklist )

Baseball Mom Bag Checklist (UPDATED!)

You can find my Baseball Mom Survival Bag Printable Checklist (updated thanks to the awesome suggestions below!) in my Resource Library.

Are you ready for this baseball season? I know I am! Good luck to your child’s team!

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Reader Interactions

Adriane says

April 23, 2018 at 2:10 am

That is the coolest bag!!

Stephanie Z says

April 23, 2018 at 7:40 pm

A baseball mom survival bag is a great idea to be prepared for anything. Sunscreen is a definite must!

Shannon Cairns says

April 23, 2018 at 11:34 pm

I seriously needed this the last month! I’m a new baseball mom and it seems like I’m never prepared! Haha! Thanks for the tips!

Julie Bickham says

April 26, 2018 at 2:51 pm

Never thought to pack a bag like this! Def going to bring one now that the season has started.

May 1, 2018 at 12:00 am

I want to know where you got that bag?!

Marissa says

May 1, 2018 at 6:18 am

Lala, it’s a Thirty One Utility Zipper Top Tote with a baseball patch on it. My friend Amy sells the bags: mythirtyone.com/amysienkiewicz

Kristina says

August 2, 2018 at 10:21 am

Hi Marissa, Where did you get the baseball patch? And did it stay on well? Thank you!

August 2, 2018 at 10:48 am

Hi Kristina, Once the patch was ironed on, it stayed on very well! I got it on Amazon here (affiliate link, no extra cost to you) https://amzn.to/2LOHWJW . Of course, follow the directions so that it stays on! 🙂

May 2, 2018 at 1:25 pm

great list! I’d add a cooling towel or two, a spray mister and we always have a really good first aid kit with gloves and athletic tape. My husband likes to have an extra bat wrap and we have a bat sleeve, extra socks and a visor. our sport cart has a rack built in to hold the camp chairs and our thirty one bags fit in all perfect. cooler always has frozen water bottles (that melt over the tourney day) and I usually cut up either a watermelon or a cantaloupe in a big tub that she goes through during the day. travel tourneys get a little crazier on the packing list but the close ones are easier.

May 2, 2018 at 1:42 pm

I love my cooling towel! Totally forgot about it. We haven’t experienced travel tourneys yet, but it sounds like you’re well prepared!

Jaymi Torrez says

May 2, 2018 at 2:57 pm

This is such a genius idea! You’re ready for ANYTHING with that bag, like the baseball Mary Poppins 🤣 #wanderingwednesdays

May 2, 2018 at 3:03 pm

I love that! LOL

May 3, 2018 at 11:43 am

I like to have a few small toys for the other kids that get dragged along to the games they really don’t want to be at.

May 3, 2018 at 12:14 pm

Small toys for other kids are a great idea to bring along!

May 6, 2018 at 8:48 am

I have these in my bag

Eye drops – for the dry field that blow dust Rain ponchos

May 6, 2018 at 11:59 am

Never thought of eye drops! Great idea.

Michelle says

May 6, 2018 at 11:45 am

I have a bag like this. One thing I also have is ibuprofen. This is mainly for the moms, lol. I also keep a few rain ponchos, a hat, brush, battery operated fan and dryer sheets! Yes, dryer sheets. They are GREAT to help repel gnats. I’ve also been known to take a citronella candle for night games. The basebal field is my second home and my #happyplace so I try to be as prepared as much as I can.

May 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm

Love the ideas of using dryer sheets to repel gnats and a citronella candle for night games!

May 13, 2018 at 7:17 pm

Ziplock bags to make ice bags. Spirits of ammonia for those super hot days Salonpas cold spray for instant relief from being hit by pitch. Gold Bond friction relief for chafing and heat rash. From scorekeeing mom and nana with 40 years spent on ball field watching my sons and now grandsons play travel ball.

May 13, 2018 at 7:29 pm

Thanks for the tips!

Taylor says

July 22, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Not a baseball mom but a coach’s wife, I also always have hand warmers in my bag and our propane portable heater stays in the car too. I have sat through baseball games in 20 degree weather in March and April so a blanket just won’t cut it all the time. We also always have extra gloves, hoodies, socks and an extra coat in the car.

H Stevens says

June 24, 2018 at 3:18 pm

We are always at Softball games. We have girls from 7th-12th grade. I always bring tampons and maxi pads, because unfortunately Mother Nature has a mind of it’s own at times. Always extra socks, sports bra ( my daughter is a Catcher & sometimes during a tourney changes out the sweaty wet socks & bra for dry ones.

June 24, 2018 at 6:20 pm

H Stevens, excellent suggestions for older girls!

Crystal says

June 24, 2018 at 5:44 pm

A small sewing kit it about the only thing missing – I carry all the above and below.

June 24, 2018 at 6:19 pm

Crystal, that’s a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion.

Dana L says

July 19, 2018 at 12:06 pm

I also keep tissues and eye black in my baseball bag! And in the early part of the season, I keep a winter hat and gloves.

Zulema mom of 3 boys and 1 princess says

July 19, 2018 at 11:56 pm

Having my boys in Travel Baseball, I always include everything on your checklist plus Sunflower Seeds, potable potty, toilet seat covers and a compact STIM/TENs machine for the famous pitcher’s arm. Good Luck travel ball Moms!

July 20, 2018 at 12:19 am

Never thought of a TENS machine!

July 26, 2018 at 8:04 pm

Having just survived our latest season I’ve added 2 more must haves to our bag. Duct tape cause the games are long enough without having the boys stop every few plays to tie shoes. Also WD40, the rocking lawn chairs are big around here and the squeaking gets old real quick, lol.

August 1, 2018 at 10:33 pm

I am also a baseball mom, 11yrs now. He will play in college starting next week. Your list is awesome but missing one thing…booze! As we all know some of the games can be down right boring if the teams are drastically miss matched or long if it’s good competition. Either way a little creatively hidden hooch helps this baseball mom and my baseball mom crew get through the game.

August 2, 2018 at 10:52 am

Patty, I’m glad you think my list is awesome! I couldn’t add booze to the list as it generally isn’t permitted, but to each their own!

August 12, 2018 at 12:35 am

I like to have sunblock lip stick that can be used on lips and noses for those sunshiny ballgame days. Extra pie of sunglasses are usually handy too

Jennifer Suslowicz says

August 16, 2018 at 5:30 pm

A score book and pen are always in my bag. Keeps me in the game especially when a scoreboard isn’t being used. Also my son likes to know his stats!

Dalayna says

August 19, 2018 at 11:45 pm

This looks very similar to my softball mom bag. I also put extra deoderant and a hairbrush with a lot of hair ties in case one of the girls forgot to and i offer to french braid before hang. Sharing a brush is a big no no in my family but it’s an extra brush and if the parents are alright with it ill use it but encourage everyone to bring a compact brush just in case.

Robin Woodson says

August 27, 2018 at 9:45 am

My grandson plays, and I have a bag much like these that have been described. Mine also includes a roll of toilet tissue in a gallon size ziploc bag. Have used both!–needed the ziploc when a player on the other team missed a pop fly that “popped” him in the eye and no one else had a bag for ice!

September 10, 2018 at 6:45 am

I always have a roll of toilet paper, paper towels and small bottle of hand soap with me also. Some places run out of TP.

D Price says

October 12, 2018 at 10:39 pm

Extra belt, socks, and cup for the other players who forget. A change of clothes for your player Incase you go for a victory dinner somewhere decent. Biofreeze, peroxide spray and Benadryl – sports wrap. Empty ziplock bag for ice if needed on a hard ball. Blowpops to help you keep your mouth shut on bad calls and toward annoying fans. If it’s TopGun, the tournament directors number. Umps miss recording OOP HRs and you gotta keep that straight.

Team app with other players families numbers

Kenda Ward says

January 15, 2019 at 5:19 pm

Awesome list! I also have my own baseball bag. In addition to your list, I keep hair ties, Bobby pins, extra hat/visor, extra tank top, deodorant, and pencils in my bag. Often you will find a few small toys (dinosaur, matchbox cars and action figures) for other kids since mine doesn’t always want to share his.

Jennifer says

February 16, 2019 at 8:22 am

I have a well stocked “baseball” bag actually I have a bag for all sports that I transfer the supplies to! I also carry Coband or a roll of vet wrap for straines or sprains or wrapping that hard to cover injury. A small sewing kit for inconvenient tears that have to be fixed before play can resume. And an extra set of shoe laces! The coaches and players all know that I have this and will come to be for there needs!!

Tammy Langston says

February 18, 2019 at 3:21 pm

I also throw in some scissors. Many times we needed to cut stuff off or bags. We also take hand warmers for those unexpected cold fronts. We kept a infant warm by switching them up in different positions on the carseat to keep her warm. They do come in handy.

Ashley says

March 12, 2019 at 6:30 pm

One of my must haves is a cooling towel for those hot days. My favorites are mission and chilly frogs.

Cassandra says

March 14, 2019 at 8:30 am

Tide Stick! Helpful for drips and spills on light colored unis. I always keep a Ziploc bag with paper plates, plastic silverware and napkins in my bag.

Lissa Gilson says

April 2, 2019 at 12:49 pm

I keep a ZipLoc of Must Haves – I’m a 10 year in baseball mom too! In it goes two Shapee markers – one black, one silver – great for writing names on the many bottles of Gatorade and Water in dugouts. Sunflower seeds. Empty small water bottles for sunflower seed ‘dripping’s’. Washcloth, for the instant ice pack, alcohol wipes for sweaty pitchers palms, eye black stickers (the sticks melt!) deodorant. I also used to pack headphones for little ones, who found the cheering to unexpected or loud, and lastly, a camera, to capture those must have moments! Lastly, I have a couple of those reflective blankets, that fold really small for car kits? They come in handy for the New England warm days/freezing night games!

Julie court says

April 3, 2019 at 5:40 pm

I also pack tweezers for splinters and tick bites. In hit hot weather I bring 3 battery operated fans attached to water bottles full of ice water to keep the players cool. In my first aid kit I also bring allergy meds and advil. Camera too ofcourse. I like to use one of those collapsible wagons to carry everything and a lawn chair for those fields that dont have bleachers or the bleachers are too far from the field. Also eye black for the players and a change of clothes for them to change into after the game so they dont smell up my car. I *think* that’s it but I’m sure I’ll think of more right after I hit send lol

July 22, 2019 at 7:05 pm

October 3, 2020 at 1:25 am

I have been a sports mom for 22 years, and I’ve always had bags with me. Even now, my youngest is still playing baseball and football, so I have a “bag” on the ready. Here’s some things I make sure to bring:

I’m a backpack mom now, versus bag. Carabiner, for the backpack to hang on fence, or keys to backpack. Always hand sanitizer, even before the crud. Small toilet paper roll (just in case). Small lysol spray. Book/Kindle (for tournaments, you’ll thank me later). Either a handwarmer or fan (depending on the weather). Big umbrella (shade or rain). First Aid Kit (I’ve had the trainers ask me for things). Eye Black Mustard or pickle juice (muscle cramps).

So many more things, but I’ll leave it at that.

Tiffany says

July 8, 2021 at 10:35 pm

I think all the other moms have said everything that I pak as well in my bag… but I always send my daughter (softball mom here) in the dug out with a little cooler of her own. She has water, Powerade, pickles, slim Jim’s, and fruit ( she also takes a bottle of tajin and chamoy) she like to put it on her fruit. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Keeps her hydrated, keeps her energy up, and prevents cramps!

July 9, 2021 at 7:32 am

Great idea!

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Essential Tips for Travel Baseball Moms

As a baseball mom, you’ve honed your skills in juggling schedules, packing snacks, and cheering from the sidelines. But when it comes to travel baseball, the game changes. It’s a new level of challenge, but one that you’re more than capable of mastering. Don’t worry; we’re here to support you every step of the way.

As a travel baseball mom, your role is pivotal. It’s not just about the logistics and the schedules; it’s about creating a safe and nurturing environment for your child and their team. You’re the backbone, the one who keeps everything together, even in the face of challenges away from home. Your dedication and emotional support are what make this journey possible.

Your primary responsibility involves scheduling and time management. Ensure everyone arrives on time for practices, games, and tournaments, regardless of location. The complexity compounds when juggling other children’s schedules, school, and work responsibilities. Tools like Google Calendar , smartphone reminders, and shared family calendars can aid significantly in staying organized.

Moreover, you’re responsible for ensuring proper nutrition. Traveling disrupts routines, removing the usual home-cooked meals and planned snacks. Pack healthy, portable snacks, such as bananas, string cheese, granola bars, and so forth, to keep your young athletes fueled and ready for action, mitigating the temptation for fast food or vending machine fare.

Amidst the pressure of tournaments and games, your role as a source of emotional support is crucial. Your child’s emotional well-being and character development are greatly influenced by your presence. Being there for them, providing comfort during the lows, and celebrating the highs are not just important; they’re essential. Your words and actions make a difference, and your child knows it.

You also ensure the team spirit is high. Illuminate the importance of teamwork to your child. By developing relationships with coaches and other parents, the common goal of sportsmanship and the overall development of the children becomes more achievable. Lastly, you often liaise between the coaches, other parents, and players. Clear communication fosters fewer misunderstandings and greater harmony, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding game schedules, practice times, and travel plans.

Thus, as a travel baseball mom, your job isn’t just about getting to games; it’s about cultivating an environment conducive to your child’s growth, engagement, and enjoyment. It indeed involves more significant commitment, but the rewards outweigh the challenges.

As a travel baseball mom, pre-season preparation is critical to a successful travel baseball season. It’s about more than packing the right equipment. We dive deeper into critical areas to focus on, including establishing routines, conditioning, and setting expectations.

Establishing Routines

Routines foster predictability. Establishing pre-game routines like a balanced breakfast, getting enough sleep the night before, and leaving home at a scheduled time is essential. Try to stick with the same routines even during out-of-town games. For instance, if your family eats a meal 2 hours before the local games, plan to do the same for travel games.

Outsourcing laundry services like  Clotheslyne  is a practical way to ensure your child and their teammates always have clean, ready-to-wear uniforms. This saves you time and ensures professional-level cleanliness, essential for maintaining team pride and hygiene.

Clotheslyne has helped local baseball teams with clean, ready-to-wear uniforms in select areas like New York, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Alaska, and Massachusetts! Learn more about our services and  how we work .

To use Clotheslyne, download the  iOS Apple App  or  Google Play Store Android app  to schedule your laundry pick up and folded clothes drop off date with a community Clotheslyner near you! It’s that simple.

Next, physical conditioning emerges as a significant factor. Encourage your child to engage in regular exercise, strength training, and stretching sessions. However, let your young athlete understand it’s not just about physical health; maintaining a balanced diet also aids in optimal performance. Regular check-ups also play a quintessential role in detecting and preventing potential health issues.

Finally, setting clear expectations is vital. Ensure you, your young athlete, and the coach are on the same page about your child’s anticipated position, playing time, and role on the team. If you foresee scheduling conflicts resulting in missed practices or games, communicate them to the coach earlier.

Remember that these pre-season preparations won’t guarantee a winning season, but they’ll help your child play their best. Remember, not everything will go as planned, and that’s fine. The endless, irreplaceable moments of fun, growth, and learning define a successful travel baseball season. Focus on those moments, and remind your child to do the same.

Embracing your role as a travel baseball mom entails more than being present at the games. There’s a wealth of strategies to adopt that help support your child’s development, uphold team morale, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Keeping an exhaustive packing list is crucial, serving as your go-to reference when getting ready for games and tournaments. Such a list may include uniforms, gloves, bats, helmets, snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, and first-aid kits. Proper packing saves you the last-minute scramble, ensures preparedness, and teaches your young athlete the importance of responsibility.

In the world of youth baseball, co-parenting couldn’t be more critical. Post-game talks, for instance, often call for a shared approach. Instead of critiquing your child’s performance, please encourage them to reflect on their game and provide constructive feedback. Collaborating with your spouse or partner in such ways fosters a supportive environment for your child’s growth.

Maintain your child’s energy levels by planning their meals meticulously. Pack nutritious, easy-to-eat foods, ensuring they’re fuelled, hydrated, and ready for action. Whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, veggies, and nuts are among the top picks for a player’s diet.

Your words bear tremendous weight. You’re more than just a parent; you’re a source of motivation and reassurance for your child. Emphasize effort over results, validate their emotions, and inspire them to take on challenges fearlessly.

Engaging with other parents creates a robust support network. Swap stories, share tips, or divide duties like carpooling, snack preparation, or post-tournament clean-ups. This sense of community eases your load and makes you feel part of a team.

Understandably, travel baseball comes with its challenges. Yet, with these tips and a positive mindset, you can navigate this exciting journey and enjoy every step. Remember, you’re a pivotal figure for your child and the entire team. Embrace it, own it, and make it count.

Twirling in the dance of travel baseball, your child requires more than just logistical planning. Your emotional support, validation, and encouragement drive your young athlete forward. Optimizing these elements can aid in your child’s growth and success. Here’s how:

• Provide Persistent Encouragement : Proactively nurture your child’s self-confidence by cheering them on during games and acknowledging their effort and commitment. Applaud them when they hit a home run but equally affirm their perseverance even when they don’t. Validate their commitment, reminding them that success in baseball is about consistent effort, not just winning or losing.
• Optimize Emotional Support : Your emotional quotient is essential to your young athlete’s success. Maintain a display of calm, even during tense game moments, as your reactions often resonate with your child. Serve as a buffer, protect them from external stressors, and ensure you’re their haven.
• Build Resilience through Failure : As a travel baseball mom, you also need to strengthen your child’s resilience. Remember, the key to success is adjusting sails, not just going with the wind. Instead of shielding your child from setbacks or failures, guide them in navigating these choppy waters. Please encourage them to see every missed ball as an opportunity to learn, not a failure.
• Communication as Key : Maintain open channels of communication with your child. Regular chats about their journey, concerns, achievements, and challenges don’t just keep you connected–they let you assess the emotional aspect of their athletic experience, which you can then tweak to best support their progress.
• Set Realistic Expectations : While aspirations fuel ambition, expectations can, at times, create undue pressure. Encourage efforts over outcomes, practice over performance. Your child’s love for the game should stem from the joy it brings, not the pressure to perform.
• Model Positive Attitude : Remember, you’re your child’s mirror reflecting emotions, attitudes, and behaviors. Maintain positivity, show enthusiasm, and exemplify sportsmanship; your child will likely follow suit.

Navigating the choppy waters of travel baseball, you’ve got the anchor of support your budding athlete needs for success. With your unwavering support, they’ll not just play fundamental baseball, but excel in the art of it.

You may face numerous hurdles as a travel baseball mom. Unpredictability serves as one, with sudden weather changes or last-minute schedule tweaks being typical examples. Despite this, a resilient, adaptive approach helps you confidently navigate these challenges.

For instance, you’re at a tournament, and storm clouds loom. You’ve packed snacks, drinks, and more, but have you packed a raincoat? Preparedness matters in every situation. A go-bag packed with essentials—extra clothes, a first-aid kit, and weather gear—ensures that you’re ready for anything.

Second, handling the stress of intensive schedules, frequent travels, and long days is crucial. Yoga, meditation, regular exercise, or simply taking a break can help you stay calm. Remember, it’s impossible to pour from an empty cup. Invoke self-care to remain energized and available for your child.

Next, dealing with loss or failure often seems overwhelming. Moreover, it can be challenging to witness your child struggling. However, modeling resilience and a positive attitude are essential. Remind your child that failure isn’t final but fosters learning, grit, and growth.

Additionally, navigating team politics may prove challenging. Transparency, respect, and open communication establish a healthy relationship with coaches and other team parents. Avoiding gossip, supporting decisions, and audibly volunteering promotes a harmonious team environment.

Finances are a remarkable aspect of travel baseball, with its costs for equipment, travel, dues, and more. Crafting a budget, opting for used equipment, sponsorship, or fundraising can significantly mitigate expenses.

Lastly, keeping the fun in baseball while maintaining competitiveness can be a balancing act. Ensuring your child stays enthusiastic about the game requires encouragement, support, and recognition that it’s still a game meant to be enjoyed. In the face of these challenges, remember that you’re not alone as a travel baseball mom. Engage with the wide community of parents in the sport, swap stories, share tips, and enjoy the journey.

Building relationships comes naturally when your child plays travel baseball. You’ll find a network of parents like you striving to guide their children through a sport they love. These connections can prove invaluable, providing emotional support, practical advice, and an empathetic ear during challenging times.

• Embrace open communication:  Initiate conversations with other parents, coaches, and team members. You foster improved understanding and facilitate stronger relationships by effectively conveying your thoughts. For example, talk to fellow moms about snacks that work well on long travel days or discuss strategies with coaches to alleviate pre-game anxiety.
• Take initiative in fostering relationships:  Regularly attend team events and social get-togethers. A potent way to nurture these bonds is by participating in team fundraisers or volunteering for tasks, such as helping at a bake sale or chaperoning during team trips. These activities make you an integral part of the community and create opportunities for constructive interactions.
• Leverage Social Media:  Use platforms like Facebook or Twitter to build relationships. Join mom groups and forums dedicated to travel baseball, or follow relevant pages for significant input. Social media could prove beneficial in sharing experiences, gaining insights, or even coordinating carpool schedules.
• Show Empathy:  Eclipsing competitiveness with empathy goes a long way in forging solid relationships. Understand that every parent aims for their child’s success, just like you. Encourage your child to accept others’ achievements, promoting a sense of camaraderie. A supportive conversation after a lost game might reinforce trust and mutual respect among parents.
• Collaborate on Problems:  No two children experience the game identically. If your child faces an issue, chances are another parent has faced it, too. Discuss these problems openly and collaborate on potential solutions. Responding collectively can help alleviate stress and strengthen relationships.

Networking as a travel baseball mom can be an enriching experience. It provides a support system to share the joys, challenges, and invaluable lessons this journey brings. The next section of this guide focuses on the positive outcomes of such relationships on your child’s overall development. Remember, you’re not alone in this; the baseball community stands together, including you.

So, you’re on your way to mastering being a travel baseball mom. You’ve got the pre-season preparations down and gracefully navigating the ups and downs. You’re not just surviving; you’re thriving. Your networking skills are top-notch, and you’re building lasting relationships within the baseball community. You’re leveraging social media, participating actively in team events, and fearless in showing empathy and solving problems collaboratively. Remember, these connections provide the emotional support and practical advice you need. They also contribute to camaraderie, making the experience more enjoyable for you and your child. So, keep on doing what you’re doing. You’re not just a mom but a travel baseball mom – and you’re doing a fantastic job!

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That Baseball Mom

10 Baseball Moms Must Haves

Baseball Moms

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I’ve been a baseball mom for almost six years now and while I’m certainly not an expert, I have learned over the years what I need in order to be cool, comfortable, and cute when I’m rooting my baseball player on from the sidelines. Today I’m sharing my list of 10 Baseball Mom Must Haves to help you sit in style on the sidelines and be comfortable at the same time!

Baseball Mom Must Haves

• A Great Chair.

For starters, an awesome chair is a must have for any sports mom in general, not just a baseball mom. Because I’m fair skinned, a chair with a shade cover on top is even more important.

Here’s some baseball chairs that I love…

2. The Perfect Cup to Keep Beverages Cold

Don’t sit through games with a warm drink. Be sure to prepare for hot summer game days!

Here’s some of my suggested beverage holders…

3. A Cute Hat (Baseball Mom Accessories)

All baseball moms need a cute hat for game day. Why? You may not currently be a hat wearer, but let me tell you that when you sit at a baseball field in 90% humidity on a 100 degree day for 3-5 hours…your hair definitely is having better days. A cute hat helps keep your hair under control, gives some shade to your face, and helps you shout to the world…”I’m a Baseball Mom!” all at the same time!

Here’s some adorable baseball hats…

4. A Tote Bag (Baseball Mom Tote Bag)

Being a baseball mom often means long walks to the fields carrying chairs, drinks, snacks, things to keep other siblings occupied, and more. After years of forgetting things, I now just keep a tote bag filled up with my Game Day Essentials so that I can just grab it and go.

Here’s some tote bags for baseball games…

5. A Soft Cooler

No game day is complete without a soft cooler. We like to bring them and keep cold drinks in them like Gatorades or bottles of water. For busy game days, we can pack sandwiches and fruit for between game meals or even pack freezer pops for the team for a post game treat.

Here’s some great soft coolers…

6. A Portable Fan

Baseball moms–we play in the summer, so be prepared for the heat! Don’t come to a game without having a portable fan handy for those 100 degree days where you’re baking in the sun!!

Here’s some fun portable fans…

7. A Folding Wagon

When you’re hauling stuff to and from the field (think chairs, totes, coolers, drinks, umbrellas, baseball bags, catchers gear, and more), we found that we really need something to pull all this stuff. I highly recommend a folding wagon to cart all your stuff around in! It’s worth the money and is great for beach and camping gear too!

Here’s some awesome folding wagons…

8. A Portable Phone Charger

When I’m at a baseball tourney all weekend, one of the worst things is when my phone goes dead. Keep a portable phone charger in your purse so that you can follow GameChanger or keep track of team stats, as well as take lots of Instagram worthy photos and videos!

Here’s some portable phone chargers…

9. A Canopy

One of the things that has SAVED our team and parents during hot summer games are canopies. The more canopies the better. We create a little tent town down the baseline and it allows all the parents to sit comfortably in shade. Canopies are also perfect for when you have double headers or are between games…it gives the kiddos a place out of the sun to relax.

Here’s some awesome canopies…

10. A Lot of Random Things

Here’s a list of random things to consider having on hand or in your car to make baseball life easier:

• cash for concessions and entry fees
• hoodie/sweatshirt
• hand sanitzer
• first aid kit
• trash bags (for dirty cleats or clothes)

I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive list of Baseball Game Day Must Haves! Did we leave anything off the list? If so, leave your recommendations in the comments below!

You’ll also enjoy….

Gift Ideas for Baseball Moms

• Gift Ideas for Baseball Players

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The Ultimate Baseball Tournament Packing List (+ Travel Items)

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What do you need to pack for a day (or a weekend) out at the sports field? Whether you’re packing for a baseball tournament or softball, soccer, lacrosse, football, etc., here’s your list of essentials to pack for tournaments. Never forget everything you need again with my free printable baseball tournament packing list ! 

When my boys played recreation baseball, it was easy to grab the essentials for a game because you don’t need that much for 1-2 hours, right? Just slap on a cap and some sunscreen on everyone and you’re good to go.

But when my boys started playing on competitive travel teams, I suddenly had to learn how to up my game. Big time.

And I made a few (big) mistakes along the way! So, I wanted to help reduce your learning curve by giving you my hard-learned list of must-haves for weekend baseball tournaments.

Tips To Simplify This Baseball Tournament Packing List

If you’re new to the world of competitive sports teams and tournaments, know ahead of time that you’ll probably spend hours at the field each day. Sometimes there’s a break in between games where you can run to a bathroom or grab some food.

Other times, games are back to back and you really can’t leave. And you’ll likely do this both Saturday and Sunday (or multiple days if you’re taking part in a travel tournament).

Planning ahead will be your best friend – keeping some things already packed and ready to go was the BEST thing I do to help reduce prep time and the chance of forgetting things.

Tip 1: Keep Layers And Sunscreen Ready To Go

Once the spring baseball season kicks off, I keep a tote in my vehicle that has clothing essentials such as a hat, sunscreen, winter hat, gloves, blanket, windbreaker, umbrella, and rain poncho.

Tip 2: Keep Some Snacks Packed

And I also make a snack bag filled with non-perishable grab-and-go essentials such as beef jerky, sunflower seeds, nuts, protein bars, licorice, and gum.

With these two bags or totes packed up, all you have to do is keep them in the car (my preference) or by the door and grab them on your way out.

Grab my handy checklist so you never forget an item again!

What To Pack For A Baseball Tournament: 33 Essentials

In an effort to make this list easy to follow, I’m breaking it down into categories.

Health Items On Your Baseball Tournament Packing List

1. sunscreen.

I recommend keeping a bottle of easy-to-apply sunscreen in your child’s bag and another bottle for you and the family.

I was very opposed to the spray sunscreens for a long time…until we started doing weekend tournaments for baseball. Now I’m a HUGE fan!

Having a spray sunscreen is SO much easier to use than rubbing in creams when you’re rushing from one game to another or have dirty hands from being at the fields!

I highly recommend these two:

• Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 50
• Blue Lizard Sport Sunscreen SPF 50 (mineral-based sunscreen)

2. Sun Hat Or Baseball Cap

Baseball players and family members spend so much time out in the sun, and if you’re anything like me that bright light is murder on the eyes and the skin.

Bring along a sun hat to keep the sun off of your entire face. There are many different options from baseball caps to wide brim floppy sun hats. Here are a few of our favorite go-to’s :

• Women’s UV Protection Foldable Mesh Wide Brim Hat (great for ponytails!)
• Rollable UPF 50+ Wide Brim Gardening Hat with Neck Flap (great for rolling up small and protecting the neck!)
• Straw Wide Brim UPF 50 Foldable Roll up Floppy Hat (great for a fun, stylish option!)
• UPF 50+ Wide Brim Roll-up Straw Sun Hat Sun Visor (great for an open, airy, cooler option!)
• Ponytail Hat Baseball Cap (love this for my constant ponytails and messy buns!)

3. Sunglasses

My light blue eyes are super sensitive to bright light anyway, but my optometrist gave me a reminder about how important it is to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. 

Here are some of my favorite options:

• Vintage Big Frame Sun Glasses (for the best coverage and that “diva” look!)
• RIVBOS Polarized UV Protection Sports Sunglasses (I love sports sunglasses!)
• Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

4. Bug Repellant

The heat and humidity of summertime often mean bugs – and lots of them! If you’re anything like me, being a mosquito buffet takes away from the enjoyment of watching your kiddos play ball.

Protect your family (and yourself) with a good repellent. There are many options, but here are my favorites:

• Make your own DIY Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent
• Chemical-Free Bug Soother Spray
• OFF! Deep Woods Bug Spray & Mosquito Repellent

5. First Aid Kit

I’ve seen a lot of injuries on the baseball field over the years. That includes everything from bee stings to cuts and bruises to goose eggs and broken bones.

We’ve been on some teams where the coach or team parent had a first aid kit. And we’ve been on teams where no one had a first aid kit.

After my son got hit by a bad pitch and we didn’t have ice, I started bringing a first aid kit and Ice Paks so that we (and the rest of the team) would always have the essentials on hand.

FYI, it’s come in handy MANY times, and I’ve even used it to help kids playing on nearby fields when their team didn’t have a first aid kit either.

I like this 300 piece kit that comes with a variety of bandages, antibiotic ointment, burn cream, a cold compress, sterile gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, and more. I love that it’s big enough to hold additional items if needed. It also has free shipping for Prime members!

I like to fill it up with a few helpful extras:

• Triple antibiotic ointment packets for scrapes and cuts
• Benedryl to help when someone has an allergy attack
• Dermoplast Pain, Burn & Itch Relief Spray for injuries and bug bites
• Bactine Max Pain Relieving Cleansing Spray to clean wounds
• Wound wraps

6. Instant Cold Pack

Bumps and bruises happen in sports, and it definitely helps to have some instant ice packs handy to keep the swelling down.

I have purchased several sets of these packs – and used them all!

7. Lip Balm

I get chapped lips in the sun and wind, and my kids do too. It took me a while, but I finally remembered to bring chapstick with me. It was life-changing!

8. Hand Sanitizer

Baseball fields aren’t clean places. Some fields have bathrooms and some only have Porta-potties. You just don’t know which fields will have bathrooms, not to mention which ones will have soap in their bathrooms.

A bottle of hand sanitizer is a must-have as part of a baseball tournament packing list.

9. Ibuprofen

I recommend having both kids’ and adult doses of ibuprofen. They come in handy when you least expect it.

10. Insurance Card

I hadn’t thought of this…until my son broke his arm on the baseball field (bad slide into 2nd base). Oh man, was I grateful his insurance card was in my wallet!

And there happened to be a very conveniently-located urgent care a half of a mile away. 😂

If you’re worried about losing the card, just put pictures of them in your phone so you always have them with you!

Food-Related Items For Your Baseball Tournament Packing List

11. extra water.

When you’re likely to be at the field for several hours, have a couple of these extra (insulated) water jugs with you because the sun and heat will make you and your player thirsty!

12. Snacks/Food

You’ll want to pack food. Trust me – cheering for your kids burns some serious calories! Many fields will have a concession stand, but some won’t.

Even if the fields have a concession stand, you’ll probably go broke spending 3x as much for crappy snacks. Pack some snacks and keep everyone satisfied all day.

Here are some of our favs:

• sunflower seeds
• protein bars
• fruit pouch
• fresh fruit (apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, watermelon, etc)
• dried fruit
• granola bars
• fruit leather

13. Gum/mints  

I’m a gum addict – it helps me munch a little less, and it gives me fresh breath for socializing.

14. Cooler

And you’ll need something to keep your food from getting hot or melting. That’s where a cooler comes in handy.

Fill a cooler with ice and keep your snacks and drinks cool. I have heard of some fields not allowing coolers, although we’ve never run into that issue.

If coolers aren’t allowed, you can still bring a cooler and leave it in your car. However, if coolers are allowed, then I recommend one of these three:

• Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
• Yeti Hopper Fip 18 (NOTHING keeps things as cool for as long as a Yeti does – and we’ve tried them all!)
• Coleman Portable Roller Cooler
• YETI soft coolers (use as a bag or wear as a backpack!)

If your family spends a lot of time at baseball tournaments, or you like to go camping or fishing, consider getting a (wheeled) Yeti cooler . Yes, they’re expensive, but they seriously last forever and keep things cold for days . No joke!

If you spend your weekends at baseball tournaments, get one. You’ll thank me.

Savings Pro Tip: Sign up for Rakuten before making your purchase. You’ll get a $30 bonus for signing up through my exclusive link and making your first purchase – PLUS, you’ll get cash back on your purchase from YETI (and all your online shopping)!

15. Cash

Concessions, parking fees, and entry fees (if you have them) usually ONLY take cash. Take some cash with you to avoid the hassle of finding an ATM.

Clothing Items For Your Baseball Tournament Packing List

A day at the baseball fields can present several clothing challenges. Here are some things you’ll want to have on hand to be prepared – and comfortable.

16. Jacket, Blanket, And Warm Pants

Even if it’s 80+ degrees when you leave for the tournament early in the morning, please take a jacket with you! Learn from my mistakes – I thought so many times “it’s hot, I’ll be fine!”

And I wasn’t. As soon as the sun set, I was freezing. And that doesn’t even count the days where rain or cold wind moved in.

I recommend having a few things, including:

• Fancywing Outdoor Waterproof Fleece Blanket (great for wrapping up to stay warm and keep the wind out)
• Ultimate Sports Wrap – Hooded Stadium Blanket with Zippers (for something a little more heavy-duty)
• Extreme Weather Hooded Blanket by Mambe (to keep you warm on those miserably cold days – you’ll be SO grateful for this!!)

It took me a couple of seasons to figure out the best jackets to take with me (I loved my long puffer jacket ). And in the early season when it can be REALLY chilly, I wear ski pants because they’re warm and great windbreakers!

17. Winter Hat And Gloves

We have been to MANY tournaments where the weather changed drastically over the course of the day or the weekend. It might be hot early in the day and then a cold wind brings in cold temperatures or rain.

We’ve sat through games in the rain AND the snow.

The ONLY way I got through those games was because I had the warm layers I mentioned above and a winter hat and warm gloves.

18. Fresh Clothes

Have layers handy for the weather turning colder, and a change of clothes handy for hot days when you’re tired of being sweaty. If your child is on a competitive team, BOTH will come in handy!

Seating And Weather Protection Items For Your Baseball Tournament Packing List

This section includes chairs and other items that will make watching the game more comfortable.

19. Stadium Chair Or Fold-up Chair

I don’t know about you, but I get uncomfortable pretty quickly when I’m sitting on something hard like bleachers. And when I get uncomfortable, I get grumpy.

It’s important to be prepared to hang out and watch your kiddos playing ball all day! This Ventura Reclining Stadium Seat will change your life.

I love that it folds flat and has convenient backpack straps for carrying. It has armrests for ultimate comfort, plus it comes in multiple colors so you. can match your team or find a color you love.

And at the beginning of the season when it’s still cold outside, you’ll want a heated stadium chair – trust me. Once the tooshie gets cold, watching baseball outside for hours is miserable.

When it gets warm outside, I prefer using a camping chair to sitting on the bleachers. I think they’re more comfortable and I can set up my sunshade canopy over it much easier.

20. Canopy or Umbrella

You may not need/want this on cool days, but it’s crucial for hot days, or rainy days! Keep cool and dry under an easy-to-put-up canopy . They are AWESOME because they literally pop up in about 5 minutes.

And if you have extra space, share with another family! I always did – we would sometimes have 4-5 families underneath. And they were always willing to help me set up and take down the canopy!

Plus, you can set it over chairs, over bleachers, off to the side, or in the outfield and move it between games, if needed, to save you from the heat.

Consider one with a single wall  which helps when the sun is low in the morning or late afternoon (I always wanted one of these because tilting the canopy to block the sun just doesn’t work) and on windy days.

If you happen to live in a windy area, I recommend a set of canopy weights to put down on the feet so your canopy doesn’t blow away on very windy days. I’ve seen it happen, and the canopy was ruined. 😔

If you prefer to hang out on the bleachers while you watch, this  clamp-on umbrella holder  is a must-have item for tournaments!

Electronics

Electronics may not be at the top of your list of things to bring to the ball field but think about taking pictures.

21. Smartphone/Camera

You’re definitely going to want to take pictures (and videos!) of your kiddo, so make sure to bring a camera with plenty of memory. You can invest in a great  Canon Rebel  that will take incredible game pictures.

I love to use my Canon for stills because the quality is still better than my smartphone images. However, when it comes to videos, I reach for my smartphone.

22. Extra Chargers

When you’re stuck at the field all day, a dead phone battery isn’t just a possibility, it’s a likelihood. And trust me, it’s NOT ideal on so many levels!

That’s why I LOVE this  SunJack Solar Charger  which can be charged outside at the game in all that sunshine you’ll likely be facing. It’s the size of a tablet and is waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof, and drop-proof!

Plus. I always carry a  small portable charger  or two for my kids who aren’t playing. They’ll play games with other kids at the field for a long time, but at some point, they get worn out and want to have some device time.

23. Entertainment For Younger Siblings

Tournaments don’t just last 2 or 3 or 4 hours. I have spent weekends at the fields where we have been there for 13+ hours. That’s ALL day!

I always start out letting my kids play with other kids until they reach their limit. Then it’s time for some device time so they don’t have a melt down!

Keeping Cool & Toiletry Items For Your Baseball Tournament Packing List

24. cooling towels.

Those hot, sweltering days can be miserable – not only for you, but also for your player standing out on the field in the sun. The day I found out about these cooling towels was LIFE CHANGING.

Keep several wet rags in a baggie in your cooler. A nice, cold  hand towel  will make a HUGE difference for kids and parents alike. We have shared our towels with other players countless times – and helped a few recover from heat-related problems in the process.

25. Water Bottle Or Mister

I have literally left a game before and gone to the store to find water bottles because it was so hot and the kids were so miserable (and playing and EXTRA long game). Bring along a couple of large spray bottles so everyone can spray themselves down and cool off when they need it most.

OR bring along a mister ! They feel SO good on those hot days!

26. Roll Of Toilet Paper

This might sound a little weird, but I can’t tell you how many times it’s come in handy. From dealing with bloody noses to snotty noses to having some backup for the nasty portapotties that don’t have toilet paper.

Keep a roll with you. It’s WORTH it.

Make Carting All Your Stuff Easier

27. a large tote.

It may seem like an obvious thing to bring, but I have actually forgotten to take a baseball bag to tournaments. And I REGRETTED it. 

A nice large tote  can hold your keys, wallet, hats, sunglasses, snacks, extra clothes, chargers, extra water, etc. Plus, much more! This one is one I love because it has several pockets, a keychain clip, and plenty of room!

I also love this mesh bag because any dirt that gets into the bag (and ball fields have PLENTY of dirt), falls right out!

28. Portable Wagon 

I spent 2 (I think) seasons without a wagon, and when I finally got a  collapsible wagon , the difference was night and day. It carries all your stuff (I would put my canopy, tote bag, and more inside) and can hold a young whining sibling too!

Essential Traveling Items For Your Baseball Tournament Packing List

Traveling to another town or state involves bringing a few additional items.

29. Extra Uniforms

Bring along a pair or two of extra Youth Baseball Pants and jerseys. If you are staying in a hotel, pants will occasionally get a rip so it’s a good idea to have extras.

30. Laundry Detergent

If you’ll be gone longer than overnight, bring along your Fels Naptha  and Sponge to get out the stains and smells of your athlete’s pants so they show up looking clean and fresh to their next games!

Here’s how to get white baseball pants clean .

These are super portable so you can wash your child’s pants in the sink or bathtub and hang them up to dry overnight.

31. Clothes Hangers

You may need to air dry uniforms, and I haven’t found hotel hangers to be up to the task. Bring along a couple of hangers so you’re always prepared.

32. Slippers or Flip-Flops

A pair of waterproof slippers are perfect for hotel travel because the floors may not be clean, the kids will likely want to go to the pool, and they can do triple-duty as shoes your kiddo can slip on to get a break from their cleats.

33. Swimsuit

If you’re staying in a hotel, chances are good that there’s a swimming pool. And if your kids are anything like mine, they can’t resist going for a swim (as a team!) in their downtime!

Make Sure To Always Have These Baseball Tournament Packing List Essentials On Hand

When packing for a baseball tournament or any other kind, make sure to include these essentials in your bag!

Are there items I missed? If so, include them in the comments below.

Pro Mom Tip: IF you forget something, be gentle with yourself because there’s so much to remember (thus, the need for the wagon!). The good news is that you CAN buy most of what you need (we just don’t want to take time to go to a store or spend money we don’t need to spend!).

You got this! Play ball!

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Modern Sports Mom

Ideas, tips, and recipes, for today's sports mom.

15 Things Every Baseball Mom Needs To Know

Whether your kids play ‘rec’ or travel, being a baseball mom can have its own set of rules. It can be fun and exhilarating, it can also be why your fingernails are chewed down to nubs. There are certain things that only baseball mamas can relate to. If you’re new to this baseball mom life, understanding a few key aspects of it all can help you keep your sanity, and your nails, in tact.

KISS YOUR WEEKENDS GOODBYE

Baseball games are generally played in the evenings and on weekends. Typically players arrive an hour or so before game time, and stay about 20 minutes after. Let’s not forget the game itself can run to 2 hours plus. Oh, and there’s the pizza party afterwards. If the team travels to other cities, add that time in there too. Lastly, if the team is competitive, there is a good chance they’ll participate in  tournaments, which are anywhere between 3-6 games over the course of the weekend. Sometimes more! Groceries, housecleaning, baby showers, and any type of pre-planned lounging will have to wait.

CONSIDER GETTING A 2ND JOB

Youth baseball is big business! League fees, team dues, uniforms — all costly. What’s even more expensive? Equipment! Your child will need a helmet, a bat, cleats, and baseball bags. Catchers will usually be required to have their own gear in addition to everything else.  Your kiddo may ask for accessories like necklaces, sports bracelets, sleeves, sunglasses, and more. We’re at several hundred dollars already, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg moms. If your kid plays Travel Ball, there are tournament fees and travel expenses. Some teams fundraise for much of these, some don’t. Definitely something to consider when signing up or trying out.

YOUR CAR WILL BECOME A PORTABLE LOCKER ROOM

Do you keep your car in pristine condition? You may want to reconsider that now that you’re a Baseball Mom. Even if your children are careful, the orange dirt stuck to their unis and muddy grass in their cleats isn’t necessarily so. Generally kids aren’t cautious and just toss their stuff into the trunk and plop their bottoms on your shiny leather seats. And woe is you if they have to change into or out of their uniforms in the car. Organization and discipline is key, but patience and a little leniency may come more in handy. Baby steps, mamas!

YOUR WARDROBE WILL CHANGE

For me, what started as a small section in the corner of a drawer has become 2 large drawers overflowing with sports moms t-shirts and tank tops. Mostly ‘Baseball Mom’, and yes, worn year round! I have team shirts, bling shirts, and tank tops with clever slogans. V-necks, crew necks, scoop necks, all the necks! Let’s not get started on my baseball cap collection. Soon you’ll find yourself sportin’ your baseball mom gear all over town, loud and proud!

YOU’RE NOT THE COACH

We’ve had good coaches, and not so good coaches in our years of baseball, soccer, and football.  For the most part the experiences have been positive, but sometimes we’ve had to question a decision or comment here and there.  Coaches are typically volunteer parents who take the time out of their schedules to develop the team. It’s hard work, and most do it out of love for their kid, and usually for yours too. Some competitive teams actually pay an experienced coach (more fees for parents), and trust them to guide and develop the team. The one thing we can easily forget is that coaches are merely human. They can err, and sometimes even lose their cool. Whether it’s a bad decision or a lost temper, it’s never o.k. for parents to interject in a game or at practice. Not only will this embarrass your kid, but it will not sit well with team leadership, and even some other parents. If it’s a situation that bothers you so much that you can’t keep quiet, a private and open-minded conversation off the field is typically best. If it prolongs, then consider finding another team after the season commitment is over.

YOU’RE ALSO NOT THE UMPIRE

…nor is the coaching staff, or the opposing team’s parents. Umpires will be quick to give any parent or coach the boot if they get mouthy, that is at their discretion. I’ve seen it time and time again! So, when (not ‘if’, but ‘when’) the umpire makes a bad call, best practice is to keep your lip zipped until you’re out of his earshot. Then you can rip him to shreds verbally at the pizza place later! Just kidding….sort of!

YOU’LL NEVER USE THE WORD ‘CUP’ IN THE SAME WAY AGAIN

In baseball mom world, a ‘cup’ is that thing that protects your son’s privates. There I said it–now you will never think of it as a drinking receptacle again.

EVERY AT-BAT IS A MINI HEART-ATTACK 

Because even the best hitter strikes out every once in a while, you will never truly be calm while your son is at-bat. You never know if the umpire’s strike zone is high or low, or who knows what. I just know that I hold my breath until he’s on base, or back in the dugout!

YOU WILL LOSE FRIENDS

The more involved your child becomes in baseball, or any sport for that matter, the less time us moms will have for a social life. I elaborated on this subject a few months ago here ,  you may find this to be true for yourself as well. With free time sucked up by baseball and other sports, you’ll soon notice that your social circle is comprised mostly of parents on your kid’s teams.

YOU WILL GAIN FAMILY

While you may postpone some non-sports friendships, you will gain a family. Practically every waking moment is spent with like-minded baseball families. It’s almost impossible to avoid the inevitable bond that forms when you think alike and spend so much time together! They get how crazy our lives are, and are there for you, and you for them as needed. We have developed wonderful friendships that last long after the season’s end. Even if our kids aren’t on the same team anymore, we have too much in common to ever fully disconnect. It’s a beautiful thing!

PINTEREST IS YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND

So you’re not crafty? You don’t bake? No worries, there are thousands of bloggers posting their creations on Pinterest! You can follow directions to master that cute post game snack or baseball themed Easter basket in no time.

Who made those adorable baseball cupcakes? I DID!

How did you get the grass stains out of that uniform? PINTEREST!

You’ll soon find yourself scrolling through the site searching for all sorts of crafty ideas for your kid’s teammates, their rooms, all sorts of things. Hey, you may just discover a talent you didn’t know you had!

YOU WILL MASTER TIME JUGGLING

This one really hits home! Baseball moms are master time jugglers. You’re expected to drop kid A off at practice, so you can get kid B to his game on time. You will have to rely on your baseball parent friends to get kid A to kid B’s game after practice, all while your trying to keep kid C and maybe even D, from eating dirt from the field. Your husband is racing from work to make it to the game by the 2nd inning, and hopefully brought some cash for yet another snack bar family dinner on the bleachers. Some of us even throw full-time jobs in the mix, this is where relying on your baseball mom friends really comes in handy! The fam relies on Mom to manage their schedules, get them to the field in a clean uniform, fed, stretched and ready to go.

There is so much that goes into being a Baseball Mom, this list can easily be 100 items long!

Living the baseball mom life is not easy.  Truth is, you may run yourself ragged, you will lose sleep, and you will sacrifice a lot. But for every hardship, there is a reward. Watching our kids pour their hearts into their passion is worth it all. Us Baseball Moms wouldn’t have it any other way because we love our ball players, and they love the game.

What is your favorite part of being a Baseball Mom?

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Barbara is the mom behind the blog. She began writing in 2012 as the creator of Hello Life, a craft & lifestyle blog. As life evolved, and her kids became more involved in sports, she aimed to create a site that would resonate with moms like her, and in 2017 Modern Sports Mom was born. Like many of today’s mamas, she loves being creative, cooking, and fashion, and when there are a few minutes to spare, a good book. A baseball and football mom, she is fueled by her strong faith, dedication to her family, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee! Barbara lives in California with her husband, kids, dog, and cat.

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Summer Gear for Baseball Parents

In all the Baseball Mom Facebook Pages I belong to, I’ve seen a lot of talk recently about something called a ‘bucket misting fan’. I honestly had no idea what one was until I looked it up, and I gotta say….it’s a genius idea. If you don’t know what I’m referring to, then you need to check out this link . Apparently these items go out of stock pretty quickly at Amazon and Home Depot, so if you can find one, I suggest snatching it up (as I will be!).

Baseball parents are always swapping tips on the best ways to manage the brutal summer heat. As we move into the hottest part of summer, I figured I would round up the best ideas, including the bucket misting fan, that I’ve seen for keeping cool at baseball game and tournaments this summer.

For seasoned baseball parents, these ideas aren’t revolutionary. Especially if we have multiple ball players, many of us are already on our second or third pop up tent. Many baseball families build up an impressive inventory of coolers ranging from small to mammoth size where they can choose the right cooler for the weekend based on the length of tournament, distance from home, and how big the tournament venue is.

If you’re looking at the long range weather forecast and wondering how you’re going to survive those long days in the heat, I’ve got you covered. Here are my Top 6 Hot Weather Must-Haves for Travel Baseball Parents who are just beginning to stock up their gear inventory, and even seasoned parents that are looking to refresh their current gear.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit

Like I said, I don’t know how I wasn’t aware of the genius idea of a bucket misting fan until now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these misting fans, which sits perfectly atop a 5 Gallon Homer bucket from Home Depot, used in either a dugout or a parent ‘tent city’. Baseball parents from the South, however, swear by this thing. Even though we’re located in the Northeast, we still have our share of hot and humid weather, especially in July and August. This misting fan just became top of my list of Must Have gear I need to buy before our next big tournament.

The RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit comes with a rechargeable battery and cord for charging. You’ll need to purchase the 5 Gallon Homer Bucket at Home Depot, if you don’t already have one. Apparently you load the Homer Bucket full of ice and water, place the fan on top, then the fan mists out cool air. There is also the option to use the fan without water at all, if you just want air flow and cooling without the mist. If you can’t find the RYOBI misting fan on Amazon, check your local Home Depot, which is the only other authorized dealer of RYOBI products.

Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier

These Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier packets not only have over 55,000 ratings on Amazon, but they have the recommendation of Baseball parents everywhere. Baseball parents agree – – this is their favorite alternative to Gatorade .

Liquid IV uses something called CTT to help the body absorb water and nutrients faster into the bloodstream. To quote the manufacturer: ‘One stick of Hydration Multiplier in 16oz of water can provide the same amount of hydration as drinking 2-3 bottles of water and contains 3x the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks with 5 essential vitamins’. The single serving packets mix with 16 oz of water and also contain Vitamin B3, B5, B6, B12 and C. It also has some of the cleanest ingredients I’ve seen for an electrolyte drink.

YETI Tundra Haul

The YETI brand is pricey, but Baseball Parents agree – – Yeti products are worth the investment. If you’re looking at several more years of travel baseball, or any summer travel sport for that matter, you should consider the investment in this tough, virtually indestructible, hard body cooler. The Yeti Tundra Haul is the first Yeti with wheels, ideal for those long tournaments at huge tournament venues with multiple fields. This model has a durable welded aluminum arm with comfort grips, and the curved design keeps you from running into your own heels.

Mac Sports Mac Wagon

A wagon is usually one of the first pieces of equipment Travel Baseball Parents invest in, and with good reason. These carts are life savers, especially for long tournament weekends where you’re transporting a tent, food, drinks, your Baseball Mom Bag and other essentials from the parking lot to the back field of a ball park. This Mac Sports Mac Wagon is one of the most popular wagons. It has a large capacity (150 pounds of gear!), sets up in seconds, and collapses just as easily. The wagon has an adjustable handle and even includes two beverage holders on the front of the wagon.

GCI Outdoor Eazy Chair with Adjustable SunShade

The GCI Outdoor Eazy Chair has hard arms, a comfortable wide seat, and a UPF 50 Sunshade attached. This is the chair my husband and I personally use, along with probably half the parents on each of our kids’ travel teams. This chair has saved me from a sunburned face for almost three years of baseball. The mesh back provides air flow so your back doesn’t get too sweaty. The provided large mouth carry bag is extremely easy to get the chair into.

E-Z UP Sierra II Canopy, 10′ x 10′

Finally, a good canopy tent is a Baseball Parent Must-Have. We’ve had really good luck with E-Z Up Canopies over the years. The E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy is relatively lightweight and portable (31 pounds), and very affordable, usually less than 100 dollars depending on what time of year you purchase it. The optional sidewall is a great option if you can get it, and helps to provide additional shade for your back and shoulders.

Tip: This version has two different height settings. You can put the legs at two different heights, which is helpful as the sun moves throughout the day. We sometimes put two of the same side legs at the higher setting, and two of the legs at the lower setting, which puts the tent at an angle, but helps to block out the sun as it moves up higher or lower in the sky. YES – We are aware we look ridiculous. But sometimes, late on a Sunday afternoon where you’re already sunburned and maybe had a spiked seltzer or two – – you no longer care about looking ridiculous.

Baseball Parent Essential Gear

Preparing for the heat during Summer Tournament Season is no joke. As Baseball Parents, we need to come to every game and tournament prepared, not only for our own comfort, but for our own health. Besides the tent and electrolyte drinks, cool new gadgets like a bucket misting fan are a great purchase not only for your team’s dugout, but for the Baseball Parents and siblings sweating under tents as well. These Baseball Parent Essentials will hopefully help you beat the heat, and provide you more comfort, while you cheer on your team this Summer!

Looking for More Baseball Parent Must Haves? Check out these popular posts:

Baseball Mom Essentials (or What to Pack in your Baseball Mom Bag)

Baseball Mom Essentials Checklist

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Simplify Your Family's Emergency Preparedness

Baseball mom wagon: the ultimate list of things to bring on game day.

I remember it like it was yesterday.  Tyler and I were in the middle of our second baseball season with our newly blended family, and things were a little crazy.  With 7 kids (4 of whom were playing Little League baseball that year), every day was a struggle.  It was a good, happy, beautiful struggle; but it was a struggle.

Weeknights we divided and conquered, getting everyone to their different practices and games.  Saturdays were awesome because everyone was in the same location and there were only games; no practices. 

However, with the number of kids we had playing, there were some Saturdays when we were literally at the baseball field ALLLLLLLLLLLL DAYYYYYYYYYYYY.  And being somewhere all day with that many kids means bringing a lot of gear.

Every week I would see families with wagons but I just hadn’t completely warmed up to the idea.  I’m not sure why; I guess I felt like that would take it to a whole new level that I wasn’t willing to commit to.  Which is SO DUMB because, HELLO!!  We had 4 kids playing baseball!  I’m not sure how much more committed we could have been!  Anyway, I am just weird sometimes.

And then Mother’s Day came…and I was TOTALLY SURPRISED to open my very own baseball wagon!  This is a picture of the first day we used it.  We were all ecstatic!  

We’ve come a long way as far as organization and having the things we have wished we’d had over the years. So I thought I’d share some suggestions of what you may want to consider taking with you to survive gamedays!

**This post contains affiliate links; using my links helps to support my blogging and my family at no extra cost to you.**

1. Folding Wagon

After having the wagon for one game, I was sold. Why had I denied myself this necessity for so long?! If you are a parent of a child who plays baseball, just go buy yourself a wagon now! Let’s face it; you’re going to buy one sooner or later…might as well be sooner so you can enjoy it longer!

If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone with the double-decker wagon . Holy cow. This is genius. And if any of you get it, I want to know about it. I am super tempted to sell my current wagon and get this bad boy. Because, DANG! How cool is that?! Anyway, if you want to enjoy this baseball season, get a wagon. If you plan on taking your own chairs that would fit in between the wheels, get the double-decker wagon. Buy now. Thank me later.

We went years without owning a pop-up. I was scared to death of them, and rightfully so. But it got to a point where our very lives were at stake. We could either join the ranks of the pop-up families, or die of heat stroke.

I have a love-hate relationship with pop-ups. I love them when they’re up and I’m basking in the shade. I pretty much hate everything else about them. They’re big, they’re heavy, they’re awkward, and regardless of how easy the pictures on the box make it seem, they are a pain in the butt to put up, but even a bigger pain in the butt to take down.

**Tip: do a practice run AT HOME, with no one else watching. And then do another one. And another one.

You pretty much need someone to pull the wagon and a different person to lug the pop-up to the field. Most of them come with carrying cases with wheels, but be careful with those wheels. Because once they’re busted, your life gets about 1000% harder on those sunny Saturdays because those things are HEAVY.

I feel like I’m not doing a very good job of convincing you of the pop-up idea. It’s just one of those necessary evils. If you aren’t going to get a pop-up, make friends with someone who has one. And girl, you better claim that friend at the FIRST GAME, before someone else steals that shaded friendship status. Because those pop-ups are really only big enough for one friend and a few kids.

If you need to buy yourself a pop-up buddy, bring a tub of licorice, sit your buns right next to a nice, roomy pop-up, and proceed to eat and hand out your Red Vines to your kids as loudly as you can. When the pop-up lady’s kid comes and asks you for a Red Vine, you’re in. From that moment on…half of that shade is yours. That $8 tub of Red Vines just bought you an entire season of shade. Boom.

3. Bigger/Separate Items

• Chairs – we have the Tommy Bahamas that have the straps on the back so you can wear them on your back like a backpack. This makes it super convenient for carrying them to the field, but they are really low and not super comfortable. Just FYI. Pros and cons. By the way, we did NOT pay $45 per chair. This is the Amazon link I could find for them. We got ours at Costco a few years ago and I think they were $30ish per chair. If I had to do it over again, I would spend the money on the double-decker wagon, and get cheaper chairs that are more comfortable and lay them on the bottom level of the wagon.
• Stadium Chairs (for bleachers) – What kind of chairs we use depends on the field and what side our team is on, so we come prepared with our regular chairs as well as stadium chairs. I used to be embarrassed at the thought of using one of these and thought they were just for old people. Turns out 35 is old cuz I’ve got no shame. I love those things. We got ours at Costco and they were on a coupon. I think they were $25ish a piece with the sale price. These are considerably more expensive, but dang, they look amazing. They look super comfy, have cupholders, recline, and have the backpack straps to carry them. With this 2-pack, they are $45 a piece. If you are wanting to splurge on stadium chairs, these look awesome.
• Waterproof blanket for the ground
• Propane Heater (this is on my wish list – I don’t have one)
• Jumbo-sized bags or Big Bags to keep muddy cleats in.
• They fit in the side pouch of school backpacks, bat bags, in cupholders everywhere, and there’s still ice at the end of the day.
• Indestructible! Seriously. Even the lid. Nothing about this can break. It’s amazing.
• Dishwasher Safe (I hate that Hydro Flasks are not dishwasher safe, so they are a curse word in our house)
• WIDE-MOUTH LID, so you can fill it from your ice-maker without 95% of the ice cubes missing the opening and landing on your kitchen floor!
• Fits in normal-sized cupholders (they have this same Rambler in bigger sizes, but the base is wider, and therefore they don’t fit in normal cupholders…we do have a couple 26-ounce ones and I love that they all use the same size lids! I just don’t like that they don’t fit in cupholders)
• THIS LID is the best thing ever. Leak-proof, comfy mouthpiece, 2 straws included. Interchangeable with the 18 and 26 ounce ramblers.

4. Different Bags/Pouches

I held out for years before buying my kids bat bags. Dumb. What was I thinking? Was I waiting for them to grow up so they deserved a bag? Seriously, I can be such an idiot sometimes. I got my girls little bags to put their dance stuff in when they could hardly walk. I give my piano students a bag to put their piano books in. But I didn’t think my kids needed a bat bag to hold all their gear. Total face palm.

After a few YEARS of being stupid, I decided Cody was worthy to receive a bat pack for Christmas. He got a normal-sized one, so this is one he can use forever.

But I still didn’t get it. I hadn’t gotten any of the other kids one. Seriously, why didn’t someone just come up and tell me what an idiot I was?! I think one of my fears was that I would spend a bunch of money on something they would grow out of soon. But the fact is, they can use these longer than their cleats or even their batting helmets, and I didn’t seem to have a problem buying those every year…

It’s true that a brand new T-baller can’t quite carry a normal-sized bat pack very well. I FINALLY bought our first Youth Bat Pack last year. We have been in this game for 8 years, people. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Had I just gotten one for Cody 8 years ago, our lives would have been SO MUCH EASIER, and it would STILL be getting use today. 8 years later!!!

**A note on the Youth Bat Packs: They are smaller than normal bat packs and therefore can’t fit as much. We have this Youth Bat Pack for Briggs and it fits his mitt, batting helmet, water bottle, bat, and hat. It does not fit his cleats. But my kids have always just worn their cleats from home to the field, so that’s not a big deal for us.

Anyway, my point is, get your kid a bat bag. If it kills you to buy a new one, find one on Facebook for cheap if you want to. But get the kid a bag!!

• Water/Gatorade
• Batting Helmet
• Batting Gloves
• Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Cooling Towel
• Gum / Seeds
• Dryer Sheet (for smell)

Everyday Stuff

• Hand Sanitizer
• Brush (love this mini brush) and Ponytails – no better time to do your little girls’ hair than while her brother is warming up for his game
• TP (don’t ask…ugh)
• Feminine Stuff
• Cash/Change for Snack Shack
• Sharpie for putting names on water bottles/ gatorade
• External Charger – keep your phone alive for pictures/video!
• Attach umbrellas to wagons or bleachers
• Hold down an overloaded wagon load
• Paper Plates, Paper Towels, Plastic Forks and Spoons – for when we grab food on the way to the field. My favorite thing to do is stop at Little Caesars and just get a whole pizza. Cheap, easy, quick. Bam. Done. But it sure is easier to eat pizza on a dirt field when you have a plate and a paper towel to wipe up the grease.
• Ziploc Bags (for ice)
• Pen, Envelopes, Post-it Notes (for giving money for team stuff, signing up for team stuff, reminders for team stuff, etc)
• Dog Stuff (if allowed at field )

First-Aid Kit

Target has a deal that comes up fairly frequently where if you buy 3 boxes of Band-Aids, you get a free First-Aid case. I have done this several times to make a small First-Aid kit for each of our cars, as well as our Travel Tote First-Aid Kit.

I bought most of the items below in bulk or purchased a money-saving pack to give me extras to put in the First-Aid kits I have in each car as well as our family’s 72-Hour Kit and Travel Tote First-Aid Kits. So if you are going to put together a First-Aid kit for your wagon, consider putting together a few of them at a time.

• Ibuprofen/Tylenol – I just put a few of these in a mini zipper bag, labeled it with the name, dosage, and expiration date, and we were good to go. This is way cheaper than buying a travel-size bottle. You could also just use an empty medicine bottle from an old prescription. Just be sure to take the label off and wash the bottle really well before re-using it.
• Alcohol Wipes – I bought this pack of them and put a few in each of my First-Aid kits, with the bulk of them in our family’s 72-hour kit.
• Tape – these colorful rolls of Coband are super fun and easier than tape
• Ace bandages
• INSTANT Cold Pack – I bought a box of these and distributed them throughout all the First-Aid kits I have…one for each car, one for the wagon, one for the house, and one for our travel tote . Their expiration date is 4 years from when I got them.
• I got an entire box of 200 of these at Costco for $19.99. I put a few in each First-Aid kit, and I keep the rest in the box for when I am cutting up raw chicken or when I am cleaning toilet bowls with a pumice stone. This has been a great investment!
• I found some of these on Amazon that are medical grade and food safe , and they were the exact same price per glove as Costco, but you only have to buy 100 instead of 200.
• Tweezers (for slivers and/or bee stingers)
• Sting-Kill Swabs (for bee stings, insect bites, etc) – this is something I haven’t ever had before, but decided it was a good idea. I bought the money-saving 4-pack so I could put a pack in each of my First-Aid kits as well.

Hot Weather Bag

• Portable Fan (keep the battery in a separate bag in between seasons)
• Spray Bottle

Cold Weather Bag

• Blanket for warmth
• Handwarmers (again, something I bought in bulk for our 72-hour kits and used some for our baseball wagon)
• Gloves – again, a great price if you buy in bulk and put a few in each spot (baseball wagon, 72-Hour Kits , cars, etc. If you have any extras you could give them to the homeless)
• Extra sweatshirts, hats, scarves

Rainy Day Bag

• Umbrella – this one is AWESOME in the wind and has super cute colors too. I highly recommend this umbrella.
• Ponchos (something I bought in bulk for our 72-Hour Kits ). This set has 4 adult and 4 kid ponchos .
• Towel to wipe off wet bleachers/park equipment for little siblings

Activities for Siblings / Fun Bag

• Mitts and balls
• Coloring Stuff

BRING YOUR OWN FOOD

I love the idea of supporting the league by making purchases from the Snack Shack. However, we’ve got mouths to feed. Baseball is expensive. Not only do you have to pay the registration fees, but those fees usually only cover the shirt and hat, and you are left to still have to purchase pants, socks, belts, cleats, and equipment (batting helmet, bat, mitt, etc).

Having a large family with multiple players, we spend anywhere from 3-8 hours every Saturday at the ball field (plus anywhere from 1 to 3 weeknights). Buying everyone’s meals, snacks, and drinks from the Snack Shack for the whole season would be insane.

We have chosen to allow our kids to take their own money to buy their own junk food from the Snack Shack, but we don’t typically buy anything for them. Every once in a while, we have one of those days where nothing goes as planned and we end up at the field without a dinner. This happens a couple times each season, and we just plan on buying everyone’s food at the field that day. But this is not a regular occurrence.

Instead, we plan ahead and bring our own drinks, snacks, meals, and even candy.

Cooler / Ice Pack

I finally found a good cooler that I love . It is a large, soft cooler, but has a hard bottom. It has a rectangular top, rather than just zipping from one end to the other. You lose SO MUCH SPACE when a cooler does that. This one has as big of a top as the bottom. You can pack a LOT of stuff in this thing. I love it!

I got really sick of using all of the little ice packs from school lunches, especially for weeknight games when we only have about an hour between school and when we need to leave for the baseball field. By that time, the ice packs had been in the kids’ lunchboxes all day, so they often needed a recharge in the freezer.

So I decided to get one SPECIFICALLY for our family cooler. One that wouldn’t fit in the kids’ lunch bags, and therefore would always be in the freezer when I went to pack the cooler. This ice pack (affiliate link) is my favorite one that we own and it stays frozen for days ($29.99 whether on Amazon or YETI.com ) . It lasts all day on a Saturday when we’re at the field all day, and it is always available for me when I go to pack our cooler for an evening game while the kids are still at school. I stick it at the bottom of our cooler bag and load everything else on top.

• See my entire Gatorade section in 10 Baseball Mom Hacks .
• Water – a MUST
• Sometimes I will fill a large thermos with hot chocolate and bring styrofoam cups (Smart & Final or Costco) to the field. It is always a welcome drink on a cold game day!

I’m not gonna lie. I don’t go to great lengths to get super creative with meals at the ball field. I really only have 2 recommendations, and neither of them are earth-shattering, but I do have a couple of tips to take them from boring to awesome.

1 – Pizza. We are sooooo lucky because we have a Little Caesars about 5 minutes from our Little League field. It’s cheap and it’s my favorite. It’s embarrassing, but I’m just being honest. Maybe it’s an acquired taste, but I totally love it. Anyway, we often grab a pizza or two on the way to the field and eat there. On Saturdays when games are spread out, we go grab pizza in between. **My pizza tip: don’t skip the paper plates and paper towels in the “Every Day” list above. Especially if your player has white pants! Having plates and paper towels helps keep the grease at bay, and also encourages everyone to eat their pizza at a normal pace, rather than feeling like they have to gobble it up because they have no place to set it down.

2 – Sandwiches. This is about as boring as it gets, I know. But! I have a few things I do to spice it up a little bit and make it feel like it came straight from Mr. Pickles (kind of).

• Sourdough bread – lightly toasted
• Spread cream cheese on the lightly toasted bread – this adds such a gourmet feel to the sandwich, it’s unreal.
• Spread mashed avocado on top of the cream cheese layer; not sliced avocado – smush it around.
• Turkey – honestly, with all this other stuff, I don’t think you need to go fancy on the meat. It doesn’t need to be freshly-sliced or anything.
• Havarti cheese – available sliced and ready to go at Winco and Costco (or just something other than the classic cheddar cheese)
• Sprouts. Seriously – just trust me. Have you ever noticed that lots of fancy sandwich shops have sprouts? It’s because they have a way of making your sandwich feel and taste so fancy and grown-up and sophisticated. Do it. Get the sprouts.
• This may be over-the-top, but I think it is so much fun, and I even do it with the kids’ sandwiches in their lunches sometimes. I bought a box of 100 Sandwich Wrap Sheets from Smart & Final. I know it’s 100% psychological, but it makes it feel “legit” as my kids would say.
• If I have time, I wrap a dill pickle spear in a separate sheet of paper, just like Mr. Pickles used to do before they started charging for the pickle on the side.

If you haven’t noticed, I like Ziploc bags a lot. But sometimes, you just need some shape. I much prefer putting little snacks (like granola bars or cheese and crackers) in hard plastic containers than Ziploc bags. So I found a few old containers that didn’t have lids anymore and put them to good use! This helps keep the snacks contained and organized.

• See DIY Nachos section in 10 Baseball Mom Hacks
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• String Cheese
• Fresh Fruit
• Trail Mix (I like the Nuts & Berries one from Costco)
• Granola Bars
• Dried Fruit
• Nuts (bulk at Winco)
• Scrabble – our favorite homemade Chex Mix
• Beef Jerkey

If I am really on my game, I will have each of the kids choose their own snack for the day; if they choose it, they can’t complain about it! I have them load up their own tupperware container with their name on it, which keeps things from getting smashed.

• Winco bulk is the way to go here. Buy the same exact candy that your kids would buy at the Snack Shack, but buy it in bulk at Winco and bag it in small quantities. Depending on the candy, I like to use these little plastic containers with lids from the Dollar Store, or mini zipper bags .

• Smart & Final also has a lot of the candy that is available at the Snack Shack. In fact, all 3 of the Snack Shacks that I’ve worked at get their inventory from Smart & Final. There are a lot of options there that just aren’t found at normal grocery stores.
• Suckers – if you read my Movie Theater Post last summer, you can probably guess why I think suckers are a FANTASTIC thing to take to baseball games.
• Red Licorice! I don’t know why, but baseball screams Red Vines to me! Most Snack Shacks sell them, but I have an issue with germs. An open bucket of licorice? No thanks. I’ll bring my own. And in case you were wondering…Smart & Final and Costco are incredibly competitive in price for Red Vines.

Now for something to put all the snacks in…I want the space that a full-sized bag gives you, but I hate having a flimsy bag that doesn’t keep its shape. So I got a little bucket from the Dollar Store and stuck it right in there. The bucket is flimsy enough that I can smush it in the wagon to fit in smushy places, but it is strong enough to give the bag some shape.

Packing the Wagon

I know it seems like a lot, but it really isn’t as much stuff as you think. I put all the BIG ZIPLOC BAGS (Every Day, Cold Day, Hot Day, Rainy Day) in one cute bigger bag that I’ve had for years (the black and white bag in the picture below). The cooler fits next to that.

Then I put the snack bag, licorice (disguised in the emptied out bucket of baseballs) and little kid chairs on the other side. Remember…our adult chairs are on our backs. But when I am alone, or if the kids are beat, I just stick the chairs on top and sometimes use a bungee cord to hold them all up there. Those are the days I REALLY wish we had the double-decker wagon!

How to get your FREE PRINTABLE

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Before you leave, check out these other baseball mom posts:

10 Baseball Mom Hacks You Haven’t Heard Before

The BEST GIFT EVER for Baseball Lovers (plus a $20 off coupon)

Baseball Flip Flops .

Baseball Mom Help: Printable Little League Game Day Checklist

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