Team Mama Idea: FREE Baseball Printable for Senior Night or End of Season Gifts!

With many baseball seasons wrapping up, I thought it would be the perfect time to share this post. Kelly S., one of the amazing mamas in the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group (which by the way now has over 23,000 members!!!) was sweet enough to share not only the idea, but the printable to go along with it!

The cute, home plate shaped printable reads "On this dirt you've literally left it all- blood seat and tears. You've made friendships that will always be a part of you. You've fought side-by-side with the guys who relate with how bad you want to win. This dirt holds your laughter as tightly as it holds your frustration. Life goes on off this dirt but nothing can compare to the feeling you get while standing on it. Each time you look at this jar of dirt, know in your heart what it stands for and remember these years and all of the wonderful memories it holds."

Click HERE to download.

Once downloaded you simply print it out on cardstock, punch a hole in the top, and attach to a mason jar filled with dirt from the baseball field. You could make it even more special by adding their name to the jar.

They make the perfect Senior Night or end of season gifts.

If gifting them on Senior Night, you could have each player collect the dirt from the field as they are announced. Shout out to Adrienne W. (another mama in our group) for the idea!

Thanks again to Kelly S. for her help with this post! More from her can be found HERE.

And for more daily sports mom inspiration, be sure to join our Facebook Group!

Sports Mama Tip: How to Clean Baseball Pants

Ah, baseball season... homeruns, sunflower seeds, and dirty pants! (Who decided that white and gray baseball pants were a good idea anyway? I totally blame a dad!)

 

Do these look familiar, Mamas?

 

 

Want to go from that... to this?

 

 

If so, then keep on reading!

 

What you'll need:

 

• Fels-Naptha (can be found at your local Walmart)

• Oxi Clean

 

What you do:

• Wet pants.

• Scrub Fels-Naptha directly onto stains.

• Scrub pants together.
• Fill tub/sink with hot water and a half cup of Oxi Clean. Allow the pants to soak for an hour.

• After an hour, throw the pants in the washer (warm wash/cold rinse) with a capful of Oxi Clean. Then machine dry.
• Voila! So fresh and SO clean!

Seriously, how amazing is that transformation?


I hope you found this post helpful. Play Ball!!!

*** A huge thank you to Lorraine V. for making this post possible by sharing her tips (and pics!). For more tips and tricks and to connect with hundreds of other real Sports Mamas, just like yourself, join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group today!

Not All Sports Mamas Are Created Equal

Not all sports mamas are created equal.


Some never miss a single practice; while others only attend games.


Some run up and down the sidelines ringing their cowbells and cheering at the top of their lungs; while others silently grin from ear to ear in their seats.


Some are decked out from head to toe in their athlete's team colors; while for others a simple t-shirt may do.


Some volunteer to be team mom; while others prefer to volunteer as needed.


Some know each and every rule of the game; while some still have to ask "what does 3 seconds mean again?".


Some are front and center for each and every game (rain, snow, or shine); while others prefer to watch from the comfort of their cars.


Some are quick to let it be known if they feel that the ref made a bad call; some just sigh and keep it moving.


Some like to sit and chat among the other mamas, while some enjoy keeping to themselves and catching up on their favorite book.


Some like to plan the end of season party; while others feel more comfortable helping with clean up.


Some have been sports mamas for over ten years; and some are in their rookie season.


You see, not all sports mamas are created equal.


And I'm here to tell you that it's ok. One type of sports mama is not better than another.


Each one is perfect for their own athlete.


So next time you begin to compare yourself to one of your fellow sports mamas, remember that you are exactly who your athlete needs.


You are present, you are positive, you are proud, you are perfect!

*** Join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook group and connect with an awesome group of sports mamas just like yourself!

Sports Mama Tip: Five 2018 Sports Mom New Year's Resolutions

Resolution (noun): a firm decision to do or not to do something.


At the beginning of each and every new year, most of us make a New Year's resolution. Sometimes it's to lose weight, eat healthier, spend less money. And according to one commonly cited statistic, only 8% of us keep them. I've probably been a part of the other 92% more often than not. But this year, I am aiming to be with the minority.


Today I'm sharing with you 5 sports mama resolutions that I not only think we can all benefit from, but more importantly that I think we can all actually keep!

1. Be present. I don't just mean physically showing up to practices and games. I mean paying more attention. Putting your book or smart phone away and catching as much of the action as you can. Being able to remember a specific play if your child brings it up later.
2. Be positive. Be positive about how they played individually, how they played as a team, how the coach coached, and how the officials officiated. Be positive whether they win or lose. Our job is to be their number one fan, not their number one critic.
3. Be supportive. Help out whenever and wherever you can. Get them to games on time, organize post-game snacks, work the clock, volunteer to carpool, fill in if the coach will be absent. All these little things greatly contribute to the overall success (or lack thereof!) of the team.
4. Be understanding. Understand that they won't always have a great game. Understand that they won't always win. Understand that they won't always play the position you'd like them to play. Understand that they are the athlete, not you.
5. Be their mom. Not their coach. Not the referee. Not their harshest critic. Be the one to pick them up when they're down. Be the first one to congratulate them after each and every game. Be the one they see smiling from ear to ear whenever they look up into the stands. Be the one they can always count on for encouragement. Be the one that loves them more than anyone else on the field or court!

Cheers to another great year, mamas!




What are some of your sports mama resolutions? Share them in the comment section below or in the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group!

Sports Mama Tip: Gift Ideas For Your Team Mom!

Team mamas are special. They are the team secretary, team cheerleader, team organizer, team party planner, team nurse, team counselor, team chauffeur, team photographer, amongst so many other things. In the words of my sweet friend Mindy, she is "the lady on the field that loves those boys just as much as their own mom".


Despite being all of these things, a fellow football mama brought to my attention recently that there aren't many resources out there with ideas for gifts for team moms. She asked me if I'd write a post with some, so here we go!

• Personalized apparel. Team mamas are full of team spirit, so you just can't go wrong with giving her something that she can wear proudly in the stands. Add a little bling if you can; because bleachers and bling, it's a sports mama thing!
• Meal prep service. I received a certificate for one of these a few seasons ago, and let me tell you- it came in handy! Your team mama spends more time at practices and games than she does at home, she'll take all the help she can get when it comes to cooking. Winner, winner, chicken (or whatever else she feels like eating!) dinner!
• Sports (spectating) gear. Because after all, that's what she does best. A cowbell, touchdown jar , stadium blanket, monopod; basically anything she can use on the sidelines is sure to have her smiling from ear to ear!
• Gift card. I don't think you can ever go wrong with this one. If you aren't exactly sure where to get her one to, a Visa is always your safest bet. This way she can buy herself whatever her little heart desires.
• Thank you card. This is hands down the gift that touches my heart the most. Your team mama doesn't do all that she does for the recognition. She does it because she loves it. A few kind words go a long way!
• Trophy! I've never received one, but I came across this one on Pinterest and thought it was the cutest thing EVER!!!

What gifts have you given your favorite team mamas? Let me know in the comment section below!






*** 11/6/18 No. 1's Freshman football team surprised me with this football signed by the entire team. I absolutely LOVE it!!! I'm sure your team mama would too!

And how cool is this?!?

Heather S., one of the awesomely creative Sports Mamas in our Facebook Group made it for her team mama!

Sports Mama Review: isplack Colored Eye Black

I love supporting my boys and their teams in any and every way possible! From attending each and every game to being team mom to wearing their team colors- I try to do it all.  Nail polish, shirts, hats, jewelry... if it comes in their colors, I probably have it!


Colored eye black is one of my absolute favorite ways to show my team spirit. It's quick, easy, and inexpensive. Not all eye black is created equal, so isplack is the way I go.


What makes iSplack different from other eye black? It is waterproof, sweat proof, and contains NO harmful chemicals. I use it on my 12 and 13 year old's faces (as well as their teammates!), so being healthy and safe for their young, sensative skin is a must!


As previously mentioned, my boys switched football teams this season. A new team means new colors! isplack comes in fourteen different colors, so I knew that they'd have the exact blue and orange that I was looking for. Electric Orange and True Blue were the perfect match!

The colors are very vibrant, the texture is super creamy (reminds me of a high-end lipstick!), and it is extremely easy to apply.


The boys were so excited to wear it yesterday! In fact, one of No. 2's teammates even said, "we better win since we have this war paint on!". And they won, alright. 19-0! Ha!

A whole football game (and a bunch of sweat!) later...

and their colors were still on!


Don't worry, mamas. Players aren't the only ones who can rock it!

I'm wearing the color Pure Maroon in the top photo, and the bottom two are in Power Pink (which by the way is THE perfect pink to use next month to support Breast Cancer Awareness!).

isplack's colored eye black retails for $8.99 and can be purchased on their website, at your local Dick's Sporting Goods, or on Amazon.

This product is a MUST for Sports Mamas of every sport!

What are you waiting for? Get your colors on!!!










*** Disclaimer: isplack was kind enough to send me their product in the colors True Blue and Electric Orange, however, all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.***

Team Mama Idea: Team Spirit Nails

I've got spirit, yes I do. I've got spirit, how about you?! What better way to show your sports mama team spirit, than with your nails! Fun, easy, cute, and cheap. And best of all, the possibilities are endless!


Here are a few of my favorites:



Be sure to check back often for new ideas!


GO TEAM!!!