Hi, I’m a dad—times three—and if you’ve spent any amount of time around youth baseball, you already know that means I’m also a chauffeur, snack coordinator, laundry specialist, amateur umpire critic (silently… usually), and lifelong student of the game.
I’m raising three wonderful boys who are all at different ages, stages, and points in their baseball journeys. At any given time, our calendar looks like a complicated game of Tetris filled with practices, games, tournaments, and the occasional “wait… which field are we at again?” moment.
Baseball has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started the same way many kids do—T-ball, rec league, then making my first competitive travel team in middle school. I went on to play high school baseball where I was fortunate enough to be a team captain and earn all-conference, all-area, and other honors. More importantly, I learned lessons that extended far beyond the foul lines—about teamwork, adversity, leadership, and humility.
I’m also married to an incredible woman who did not grow up in a sports family—and yet has jumped into the youth sports world with both feet. She has embraced the chaos, the long days, the highs, the lows, and everything that comes with being a “baseball mom,” all while handling it with class, grace, and far more patience than I sometimes deserve.
A Quick (But Important) Disclaimer
I don’t claim to be an expert. I’m not here to tell you the right way—only a perspective.
Everything I share comes from lived experience, lessons learned (sometimes the hard way), and countless conversations with other parents walking a similar path. You may read something here and completely disagree—and that’s okay. Youth baseball is full of different experiences, philosophies, and viewpoints, and I respect all of them.
When my wife and I first stepped into this world, many aspects of youth baseball felt confusing, unclear, and overwhelming. Along the way, we’ve also been asked a ton of questions by parents who were just getting started with their own kids. This blog exists to help fill some of those gaps—to offer clarity, perspective, and maybe a little reassurance that you’re not alone in figuring this out as you go.
One final note: when I reference a baseball player in my posts, I’ll often use “he,” simply because I’m writing from the experience of raising boys. That said, I fully recognize—and celebrate—the many girls and young women playing baseball and breaking barriers along the way. My oldest son has had the chance to play alongside several talented female athletes, and they were outstanding teammates and ballplayers.
If you’re a parent navigating recreational ball, competitive travel teams, or anything in between—welcome. I’m glad you’re here, and I hope something you read helps make your family’s baseball journey a little clearer, a little more enjoyable, and maybe even a little more fun. ⚾