Chasing Lyons: A travel baseball parent’s survival guide

I’m a few weeks late writing this post. You know why? Because I’m a travel baseball mom. I’m going to be a little late to almost everything through mid-July. That’s how it works.

I’m going to own being late this year. Because, like other parents who do travel sports with their kids, there’s a lot of other things I’ve got going on. Like feeding and clothing two kids, working a full-time job, taking care of an elderly dog, ordering field day shirts, paying bills, making lunches, making dinners, making sure homework gets done, signing permission slips, correcting manners, correcting manners, referee-ing sibling fights and correcting manners. And getting to dozens and dozens of games, practices and tournaments all around northern Illinois. Oh, and gymnastics practices for my daughter. I’m just going to have to be late sometimes.

This is our third year in travel ball, and I’m still winging it. But I’ve learned some things along the way that I thought I’d share here for those who are just getting started on this crazy train (that we truly love even more than it makes us crazy). If it helps one travel baseball parent to know they are not alone in feeling out-of-control, my job here will be done.

Meal planning. Yeah, not so much. It is nearly impossible to plan very far in advance on any day there's a practice. There's a good chance that chicken you defrosted on the day you were sure practice would be rained out will go bad before the next time you're able sit down for a family meal at home. And forget about game days; those meals are on the road. I've learned to buy just the grocery staples we need to get by week in and week out. I've also just joined Peapod, which is a brilliant way to save two hours you don't have on a weekend. The upside to all of this is there are fewer dishes to wash during baseball season. Your family is not at home so there are fewer messes to clean up. I count that as two wins for me.

Gear. In addition to the baseball uniform, water bottle and other gear you need to transport back and forth, you also need to plan for yourselves and any siblings. I try to remember to pack the following in my giant mom bag: blankets, sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, drinks, umbrellas, toys, bandaids, bribe money for the little sister (more on that below) and my phone. Early in the season last year, I was feeling proud I had blankets, umbrellas, chairs and winter coats at an early-season game on a cold, wet and rainy Saturday in St. Charles. But I hadn't factored in the wind, which had us soaked and shivering within a few minutes. Then I looked over at my friend, Lisa, and saw her and her family with waterproof blankets. You can bet that a waterproof blanket was the first thing on my spirit wear order this season. It's already my favorite accessory. On another chilly, windy Tuesday evening in Huntley, my son was pitching. I thought I had saved the day by giving him my mom gloves to keep warm in the dugout. Then I saw my friend, Kim, give her son A.J., also apitcher, disposable hand warmers. Going on my list for this year.

Dress code. Dressing for travel baseball games this time of year is so absurd, it's almost comical. For tournament days, it probably makes sense to dress for two different seasons and two different weather patterns. Bring your winter hats and sunscreen. Take out your summer gear, but don't put your winter boots away until we're much closer to July. Don't be surprised to find yourself wearing sunglasses while carrying an umbrella. Never leave home without hair bands to save you on windy or sweltering days.

Sibling entertainment. Sibling care takes work and creativity. By my observation, younger brothers are a bit easier. Put them to work shagging foul balls and give them a hot dog, and they're pretty happy. Younger sisters are a different story. If you're lucky, like we are, you'll find other baseball sisters on the team to keep your daughter company. If you're lucky, like we are, you'll have a player on the team who will humor the little sisters and win their devotion (I'm looking at you, Mo!) But I also shamelessly bribe my daughter to get her through all of the games she goes to during the season. If she wants to bring two Barbie vans with a million pieces, her American Girl doll and two bags of doll clothes to a game, I help her pack them up. If $1 for a pack of Airheads at a tournament will buy us an inning of peace, then I've got a pocket full of singles for her. I tell myself the junk she eats must somehow get balanced out by the fresh air, sunshine and activity she gets by climbing trees, big dirt piles and jungle gyms at the baseball parks we visit.

Navigating the world of travel ball – whether it’s baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse or any outdoor sport – is an adventure. But in the adventure, you also will find the fun and the bonding moments you will share with your kids and the other parents who are in it with you, game in and game out. Enjoy the ride ... you’ve got this!

• Maria Lyons is mom to Jackson, 12, and Mallory, 8. Follow her as she chases her Lyons at www.NWHerald.com/features/chasinglyons or @chasinglyons on Instagram and Twitter, or share your parenting experiences with her at chasing2lyons@gmail.com.