Baseball Widow

The Feminine Side of Little League Baseball

April 23, 2007 10:17 PM | 0 Comments

I can't believe I am saying this, but for about two years now I have been TRYING to steer my youngest daughter, 7-year-old Caroline, in the direction of sports. Even though I am challenged and frequently perplexed by the role sports plays in my life and in our society, I recognize the benefits, namely exercise, team work and character-building. FINALLY, after promoting everything from soccer to yoga, the right opportunity arose: A YMCA softball team coached by the father of one of Caroline's 1st Grade classmates. Caroline would know several of the girls, making it a social event, as well as a sport. She's very relationship-driven so it's perfect. They had their first practice today in beautiful Alki, which is a neighborhood in West Seattle adjacent to Eliot Bay.

As we geared up for the first practice, Caroline became really nervous. She has been a spectator at her 9-year-old brother Austin's baseball and basketball games, but last night she felt the performance pressure associated with being a player. We reassured her that they wouldn't place too many demands on her, that it's an opportunity to learn.

Then, I had to deal with my own surprising feelings about her beginning a sport. Shockingly, I was really excited about her prospects and felt encouraged that it's just possible that Caroline won't repeat my lackluster, sports-challenged history. She has at least one thing I never had, possibly two. 1) She has a scrappy, competitive drive. I don't think she'll have any trouble duking it out. Once in my late 20's I had the audacity to try to join a women's Lacrosse team, but after a few practices I abandoned ship because these women were big, burly and out for blood. I lacked the killer instinct to go after that hard rubber ball. It just didn't seem like it was worth the energy. 2) She seems to be very coordinated and naturally athletic. I don't like to be too hard on myself about coordination because it's kind of a chicken and an egg story. I wasn't exposed to sports, therefore I never developed much talent, but does this mean that I lack natural skill??? THE WORLD MAY NEVER KNOW THIS ANSWER.

So, stay tuned for the updates on Caroline's athletic path. Will she tread new ground? Will she like it? Will she save my besmirched name? Will I place pressure on her to vindicate me? Will I become one of those "Baseball Moms" that drive me crazy?