Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Are you ready?




I just wrote out the check and mailed it for our baseball registration. It is $165.00

each this year. It just kills me, because in Florida it was $65.00. It wouldn't be so bad if one of mine was as interested in baseball as he is in socializing on the bench. So, time to prepare to be at the ball field every night. Living out of the Yukon. I thought I would share some ways we try to survive the season:

  • I buy the bucket of sunflower seeds at Sams. It was a lot cheaper than paying $1 a bag at the park. The Sams bucket is what the park buys so you have individual packets of seeds they can keep in their bag.
  • Buy peanut butter crackers, granola bars, and other protein snacks. Keep them in the car so they are ready when we are rushing between games. Some days we are at the park over 6 hours.
  • Fill water bottles a fourth of the way with water and freeze. Fill the rest of the way with water on game/practice day. The ice keeps it colder in our hot summers.
  • Make the kids keep up with their gloves, balls, bats and other equipment. Train them to put it back after each use and keep it in the back of the car.
  • Freeze some meals.
  • Tis the season for hamburger helper, hotdogs, hamburgers, and quick meals. I am just trying to get something done quick. We usually have a 5:00 practice so we are just getting a sandwich or something a lot of days. I want to use our crock pot more this year.
  • Use the 30 minutes before games and practice times to walk. We don't have a great place to walk but make the best of it and do it rather than sitting.
  • Keep change for batting cages. Our coaches required the boys get to the cages before each game and it cost $2 each time.
  • Keep underarmor in their bag- it is amazing how many times it was fine at the house and windy and cold at the fields. Always take a jacket, just in case.
  • Keep chairs, blankets, and an umbrella in the car.

Yes, it is time consuming to be at the park every night, but I love it. I love to meet all the other families and to watch the boys as they enjoy playing. And, it is really nice when we win!

8 comments:

Valarie Lea said...

Yep it time to fill my car with blankets, and chairs. I need to go get some hot hands and get my coveralls out. :) We start playing softball on the 19th of this month.

Southerner said...

val- coveralls? I wonder how many snugglies will be out this year.

That Girl said...

I love soccer season! I miss it when it's over. I coach though so that can be pretty time consuming.

Tami said...

We are starting too. First game is 1st week in April. Can't wait. I love baseball. And both of my boys will be on the same team this year. thank goodness. Jack is not old enough yet. So it won't be near as many hours as you put in but when it gets to that I will definitely remember your tips.

Tami said...

We are starting too. First game is 1st week in April. Can't wait. I love baseball. And both of my boys will be on the same team this year. thank goodness. Jack is not old enough yet. So it won't be near as many hours as you put in but when it gets to that I will definitely remember your tips.

Christy said...

Thankfully mine don't like baseball. I haven't seen the signs up for spring soccer yet, but that's what mine will want to do. At least Dawson.

BTW, I left a link to your blog in my post today. I hope you don't mind.

Vicki said...

I know what you mean about time consuming. My grandson plays "competitive" baseball, so it's not everynight during the week, but every weekend. He is the only grandchild so....you guessed it....Grammy doesn't miss any games. They also live with us, so it consumes our lives at home also. Oh yea, be thankful it's only $165.00, I think his fees this year are around $650.00, not counting the travel expenses, but hopefully, what's spent these years can be considered "paying on his college education!" They start playing the middle of March and we have been known to sit in sleet (only once) at ball games. Crazy, huh???

Vicki

Michelle said...

Good tips! Have a great season!