Travel Ball Rookies

[default]

I heard from a guy I know, not me just some guy but sun glasses are a must, so you don't get caught checking out the hot softball moms. Like I said that is just what some guy told me, Not something I would do

They must be wrap arounds of you will get caught for sure. The same guy told me that Uber.

 

[default]

Uber and Coop, thanks for the tip. I've been looking for that elusive softball goddess with very little luck. Maybe I've been attending all the wrong tournaments...lol.

 

[default]

Here's All You Need.

Patience

Ear PLugs (to tune out other parents)

Bank Card

Credit Card (when Bank Account runs out)

Cash (to pay for "entrance fees")

More Cash for that UGLY tee shirt (unless your in Strasburg)

MORE CASH

 

[default]

I take offense to that "ugly t-shirt" reference. I like the t-shirts that we offer at our tournaments, we try to go with different colors/schemes for each tournament. My wife tells me that is all that I ever wear so does this mean your saying Im ugly or I just wear ugly clothes? LOL

 

[default]

All 4 -
That's squeezable jelly!! And, hot dog buns also work.

Good first aid kit is a must -- mine also includes chap stick, tweezers, nail clippers, spare parts for helmets, pre-wrap, rolls of first aid wrap (the stretchy kind) and athletic tape (those knee bandages just don't stay on), swiss army knife, etc. Learn each year to add something else to it.

 

[default]

valleyexteme12...we ALL just wear ugly clothes...lol.

 

[default]

Philbob-
The one thing that you can easily bring with you each weekend is SANITY!! remember they are just kids playing a game, nothing more. If they win, who cares? if they lose? who cares? The younger ages 10/12/14's it's like you think someone was getting killed. As they get older and start playing exposure weekends, it's a total different game to enjoy as a Parent. Trust me, your first two weekends, sit back, take a look around and just listen......

Enjoy it as it WILL fly by....... Enjoy it it for you, her and as a family!

 

[default]

^^^Hilliarddad is spot on with this. It goes way too fast, as our DD's grow up much too fast. I know most of the parents (myself included) that I've known for years in fastpitch are far calmer then we were at 10 & 12U. We now mingle in between games with parents, players and coaches and honestly ask how they've been and how they're doing. Where as in years past they were viewed as the enemy. So trust me too, your first couple of weekends, just sit back listen and make as many good memories with your DD that you can.

 

[default]

Good post Bink44. Many of us are going thru this for the second or third time. Different teams and you make many friends along the way. Shared many a drink after games talking softball . You know you have a softball junky when you run into one of us and our kids or team is not even playing. We are just fans of the game. We also love to tease each other, he got me at the Sting Ray tourney last year. My old age caught me and I couldn't recall his first name!

 

[default]

You can always tell what age is playing without looking at the players by where the parents are sitting. 10U all the parents are behind the back stop, 12U about half the parents behind the back stop, 14U about 1/4 of the parents are behind the back stop. 16U/18U the parents are almost all in the stands carrying on conversations that have nothing to do with softball. 18 and over, most of the parents dont get to the game until the first inning lol.

Sorry about the hijack, blame Hilliard and Bink lol, they got me sidetracked :lmao:

 

[default]

This is something we have done in the past.Get a foam cooler and some Green alcohol Put the ice and the green alcohol and some handi wipe type towels in the cooler.
This will help cool down the girls on those very hot days. Remind then NOT TO EAT THE ICE OUT OF THAT COOLER!
It will get he towels very cold. The catchers and pitchers will love you for this.

 

[default]

I would honestly recommend getting a 1 gallon or 2 gallon water jug made by Coleman or Rubbermaid. (I would recommend the Coleman).Fill them with ice and water before leaving the hotel, and they can last two games or so. I have never, ever been to a restaurant that would not refill it for you for free. Saved a ton of money on bottled water, and is a lot easier to lug around than a cooler on wheels. For $10-$15 you can save yourself trips to and from the concession stands (so no more missing the games) and your DD can let you know when it's getting low before it is empty!

One of the best investments you could make, honestly, and this is coming from 10+ years of travel ball. It also works well if dad needs a sip because not many girls will drink a gallon of water every game!

 

[default]

great Ideas in this post. So what is the name brand and model of your favorite chair for tournaments?

 

[default]

I would honestly recommend getting a 1 gallon or 2 gallon water jug made by Coleman or Rubbermaid. (I would recommend the Coleman).Fill them with ice and water before leaving the hotel, and they can last two games or so. I have never, ever been to a restaurant that would not refill it for you for free. Saved a ton of money on bottled water, and is a lot easier to lug around than a cooler on wheels. For $10-$15 you can save yourself trips to and from the concession stands (so no more missing the games) and your DD can let you know when it's getting low before it is empty!

One of the best investments you could make, honestly, and this is coming from 10+ years of travel ball. It also works well if dad needs a sip because not many girls will drink a gallon of water every game!

When do they let you know in advance?????? I always get "im out of water" never im getting low. Not to mention she is a catcher so she drinks like a fish......

 

[default]

When do they let you know in advance?????? I always get "im out of water" never im getting low. Not to mention she is a catcher so she drinks like a fish......

Must be a catcher thing.....mine does the same, and it's always hurry up I need it now....LOL

 

[default]

Must be a catcher thing.....mine does the same, and it's always hurry up I need it now....LOL

I didn't know that demand was tied to a player's position on the field.

 

[default]

Must be a catcher thing.....mine does the same, and it's always hurry up I need it now....LOL

My 10U catcher once over heated at a tournament. She is extremely fit and drinks lots of water but we were playing a really good team and she was super hyped up. It was the first game of the day and we got the dugout with the sun just blasting in there and creating a frying pan. She got her self so worked up that we had to pull her, she was about 100000000 degrees and beat red. She was extremely upset but we almost had to take her to the hospital. A case of getting herself too worked up and then the sun heating her up. She wanted to beat that team so bad I think she boiled her own blood.

Catchers drink WAY more water than the rest of the team. I think their soks stink worse also.........

 

[default]

One thing nobody has mentioned not to forget to bring...............your dd:lmao:

 

[default]

One thing nobody has mentioned not to forget to bring...............your dd:lmao:

And her uniform, cleats, and glove.

 

[default]

And her uniform, cleats, and glove.

I have purchased cleats once already because "they were in my bag........".

Although her feet also grew almost 3 sizes in one summer. She did not get taller but her feet got bigger.