Moms and Baseball

How expensive is it to play travel baseball?

How many times have you been asked this and then taken a deep sigh before explaining? In this episode we discuss how the increasing costs of sports are pushing lower income, or single income, kids out of sports. The typical American family spends about $700 per year on their child's sports activities, but some parents shell out as much as $35,000  annually to pay for lessons, camps, school sports fees, equipment, travel and more, according to Project Play. These costs are forcing talented kids, who can not afford it, to quit sports.

Do your kids have to earn any money to help offset sports' fees, or do they participate in fundraising efforts? Diana and Stephanie also offer a couple ideas to help get your kids involved to instill responsibility and take some ownership of their own travel ball expenses.

Diana and Stephanie also interview a 13-year-old youth baseball player, who is trying to level the playing field for kids that cannot afford to play baseball. Karter, and his mom Patsy from Utah, created a charity organization called Wish Upon a Moon Shotto cover players' baseball expenses, including fees and equipment.

In 2020, Karter was able to sponsor a local baseball player by providing all the game day essentials. Karter's goal is to grow his charity to be able to sponsor kids all over the United States. He is still looking to sponsor kids in 2021 by sending them to a baseball camp or for fall baseball!!

If you would like to donate to Karter's organization you can email [email protected] or visit his Facebook/Instagram page @wishuponamoonshot.

On Deck: More Moms and Baseball Tournament Rankings


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Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball 

​Mentions:

035: Mark Hammond II & the Nationally-Ranked 11u MC Hit Dogs Majors

Facebook page Wish Upon A Moonshot

Youth sports in the U.S.: Middle-class and poor kids are ditching youth sports - CBS News

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​HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

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Total Baseball Earlybird Tournament (13u Only): April 30 - May 2, 2021

Location:
Total Sports Complex
Wixom, Michigan

Grading Scale:
Fields: 4/5 points
Tournament Management: 4.5/5 points
Fees: 4/5 (We did not mention that kids under 18 were supposed to be free, but Stephanie was charged for her child!)
Restrooms: 2/5 points
Umpires: 1.5/3 points
Concessions: 2/2 points
Miscellaneous: 3/5 points

TOTAL RATING: 21/30 (DOUBLE)

Note: Our reviews are completely based on our own personal opinions, and we are not receiving any compensation or incentives for our reviews (and if we ever did, we would disclose that information).

If you have any corrections, please send them to us. We will keep the show notes updated with any corrected/updated information so please make sure to check those out on our website: https://momsandbaseball.weebly.com

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Moms and Baseball Tournament Ratings Scale (30 possible points)

• 28+: Grand Slam
• 25-27: Home Run
• 22-24: Triple
• 19-21: Double
• 16-18: Base Hit
• Under 16: Strikeout

Grading System:

• 5 pts: Fields/Facilities (maintained, fences, turf, lights, bleachers, nets, etc)
• 5 pts: Tournament management (Scheduling, communication, rules, etc)
• 5 pts: Fees (Tournament, parking, entry)
• 5 pts: Restrooms
• 3 pts: Umpires
• 2 pts: Concessions
• 5 pts: Miscellaneous (location, coolers, alcohol, dogs, playground, things to do, trophy type, etc.)

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

https://mambeblankets.com/?aff=13

Legacy Opening Day Classic: April 23-25, 2021

Locations:
Legacy Center
Brighton, Michigan

Tefft Park
Saline, Michigan

Fowlerville, Michigan

Grading Scale:
Fields: 4/5 points
Tournament Management: 4.5/5 points
Fees: 4.5/5
Restrooms: 3/5 points
Umpires: 2.5/3 points
Concessions: 1.5/2 points
Miscellaneous: 3/5 points

TOTAL RATING: 23/30 (TRIPLE)

Note: Our reviews are completely based on our own personal opinions, and we are not receiving any compensation or incentives for our reviews (and if we ever did, we would disclose that information).

If you have any corrections, please send them to us. We will keep the show notes updated with any corrected/updated information so please make sure to check those out on our website: https://momsandbaseball.weebly.com

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Moms and Baseball Tournament Ratings Scale (30 possible points)

• 28+: Grand Slam
• 25-27: Home Run
• 22-24: Triple
• 19-21: Double
• 16-18: Base Hit
• Under 16: Strikeout

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

https://mambeblankets.com/?aff=13

Moms and Baseball is going to start releasing bonus episodes with reviews of baseball tournaments! Keep checking back to see if we've reviewed a tournament that your team is considering! 

As of right now, we are only offering reviews/ratings for tournaments that our current 11u, 12u, or 13u teams have attended. Our reviews are completely based on our own personal opinions, and we are not receiving any compensation or incentives for our reviews (and if we ever did, we would disclose that information).

If you have any corrections, please send them to us. We will keep the show notes updated with any corrected/updated information so please make sure to check those out on our website: https://momsandbaseball.weebly.com

Moms and Baseball Tournament Ratings Scale (30 possible points)

• 28+: Grand Slam
• 25-27: Home Run
• 22-24: Triple
• 19-21: Double
• 16-18: Base Hit
• Under 16: Strikeout

Grading System:

• 5 pts: Fields/Facilities (maintained, fences, turf, lights, bleachers, nets, etc)
• 5 pts: Tournament management (Scheduling, communication, rules, etc)
• 5 pts: Fees (Tournament, parking, entry)
• 5 pts: Restrooms
• 3 pts: Umpires
• 2 pts: Concessions
• 5 pts: Miscellaneous (location, coolers, alcohol, dogs, playground, things to do, trophy type, etc.)

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

https://mambeblankets.com/?aff=13

Today we are joined by guest Mark Hammond II from the Motor City Hit Dogs 11u Majors team. The Motor City Hit Dogs are known for producing some of the best teams in the state, and we have mentioned their name in previous episodes, including Episode 12 when we talked to Lale Esquivel from the Texas Canes and Episode 20 with Mark Jebb.

Coach Hammond shares some insights into how and why his team is so successful and what it is like to travel all over the country to find the most competitive tournaments, or to stay in Michigan and compete up two age levels.

Diana and Stephanie also talk with Mark about how their own kids' teams have fared when they have encountered Coach Hammond's teams in the past.

On Deck: Diana and Stephanie discuss updates with their kids' travel teams and offer rankings for tournaments!

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

https://mambeblankets.com/?aff=13

Mentions:
Owen Hammond PG All Tournament Team
Bullpen Tournament Roster
TBR 11u National Rankings
Travel Ball Select 11u National Rankings

Moms and How to Take Better Baseball Photos

This is Episode 34 of Moms and Baseball podcast. Today, we offer tips for taking better action shots of baseball players. We are not experts, but are simply sharing our experience from trial and error. We wanted this episode to focus on helping the sports parent who knows nothing about photography and thought that advice may be more applicable coming from an amateur/hobby photographer.

Check out this episode on YouTube to see some picture examples included at the end of the video! You can skip to 25:53 if you're just there to see the pictures :)

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Mentions:
Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D 18MP DSLR Camera + 18-55mm Lens

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR Camera Body

Episode 2: Moms and White Baseball Pants

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YouTube Tutorials:
AI Servo mode: https://youtu.be/-PJzCRWoOmM

Back-Button Focus: https://youtu.be/8PN9R0D3pF0

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Moms and Baseball is a podcast for youth baseball moms, dads, coaches, and players. Co-hosts Diana Stephens and Stephanie Malley share thoughts, ideas, and stories relating to travel (select) baseball, Little League, and recreation baseball experiences--but more importantly--also interview lots of interesting people in the world of baseball. Plus look for appearances by special guest hosts, including Patrick and Trevor, for special Baseball Dads episodes and more! 

*Full podcast episodes are available on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music (ask Alexa) and more! Search "Moms and Baseball"

*Check out our Facebook group, "Parents and Baseball" 

@momsandbaseball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

https://momsandbaseball.weebly.com

In this episode we discuss one of Stephanie's favorite questions for guests, superstitions. Listen in as we discuss our superstitions, as well as some MLB players. We also included some common baseball ones.

• Never step on the chalk lines coming on or off the field.
• Never talk about a no-hitter or perfect game when a game is in progress.
• Repetitive batting stance rituals.
• Flipping a rally hat inside out to start a rally. Generally applies to fans. It brings good luck to a team in the last inning.
• Leave the pitcher alone, or not talking to, on the day of the start.
• Lucky bats, gloves, socks, pants, or anything you were wearing during your big game win.

On Deck: Diana discuss her tips, tricks, and camera recommendations for taking the best sports photos.

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

https://mambeblankets.com/?aff=13

Mentions:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1179538-baseballs-50-weirdest-all-time-superstitions

https://medium.com/sportsraid/mlb-players-and-their-strangest-superstitions-e959d0c9626a

Baseball Superstitions by Deborah Minter https://howtheyplay.com/team-sports/Baseball-Superstitions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babe_Ruth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Holland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Dunn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turk_Wendell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Scherzer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_DiMaggio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc_FnBgGyMM

https://bangordailynews.com/2011/09/30/sports/baseball/superstitions-important-part-of-baseball’s-romance/

In this episode, we interview Val Paredes—veteran baseball mom to Tim Melville. You may have seen Tim Melville’s name in the news recently as he is a pitcher in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan and just threw the first no hitter of 2021. See his No-Hitter MVP dance here, and his 2020 Freestyle MVP dance here.

Before playing in the CPBL, Tim was an MLB Journeyman, playing for 7 different major league franchises and at least 20 professional teams. 

In 2019, pitching for the Colorado Rockies, Tim Melville had his first big-league win and quickly became a fan favorite of the Rockies franchise. In 2019 he also had the opportunity to strike out Freddie Freeman (an old teammate/acquaintance of his), Josh Donaldson, and Ozzie Albies.

Tim Melville was drafted in 2008 in the 4th round by the Royals, but had been ranked by RISE Magazine as the top high school draft prospect in the country at the time. He went on to room with Eric Hosmer and Mike Montgomery in Single A the following year.

Val has moved all around, but is a native Virginian and is currently living in Chester, Virginia. She has so much baseball-mom experience to share with us as a single mom raising a highly-sought after baseball player and navigating Tim through AAU, travel ball, USA Baseball, and the MLB draft out of high school. She also shares the challenges her son has faced along the way and talk about how they have dealt with those challenges and persevered through injuries, surgeries, and a congenital condition.

Want to keep up with Moms and Baseball?

• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball
• Want to be a guest? Just fill out the survey at the Guest Zone page on our website to see if you're a good fit! http://www.momsandbaseball.com

On Deck: Baseball Superstitions

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13 

Source:

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/for-former-phenom-tim-melville-first-big-league-win-was-long-time-coming/128anbon2hk361210g07hnfl27

Patrick and Trevor do another Dads Takeover episode, and this time talk about the Saginaw Bay Riverdawgs' annual spring training in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, Alabama. They are joined by Brian Stephens (Diana's often-mentioned brother) to discuss the history of the trip for the Riverdawgs and Swan Valley High School.

You will also hear a bit about the Alabama Spring Training trip in Episode 30 with Mark Krzysiak and in Episode 20 with Mark Jebb.

On Deck: An Interview with Val Paredes, mother to Tim Melville. Tim Melville was once ranked as the #1 high school draft in the country and was drafted in the 4th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2008. He played for several teams in the MLB and is currently playing for the CPBL in Taiwan, and just pitched the first no hitter of 2021! Val will discuss the many challenges that Tim has overcome during his impressive baseball career and has some meaningful insights as a veteran baseball mom for youth baseball parents today.

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13 

Today we talk to Mark Krzysiak from Bay City, Michigan. Mark is very connected to baseball in this community and you will hear references to several other Moms and Baseball episodes, so feel free to find those links below to brush up!

Mark has been involved in the game at nearly every level… He was a college player himself, he’s been a varsity, little league, and travel baseball coach, he ran a baseball training facility and started a massively successful travel baseball organization (with partner Tom Merkle), and Mark was an associate major league scout. Mark is also a baseball parent himself.

In addition to sharing his own story, Mark discusses his personal thoughts on the idea of playing multiple sports vs specialization. He also talks about his coaching philosophies regarding running efficient practices, instilling mental toughness in kids and receiving 100% effort from them, and teaching his players to play with confidence and "swag."

Later in the episode, Mark shares valuable advice regarding mental and physical "turn-ons" and "turn-offs" that he picked up over the several years spent working with MLB scouts, and being a former associate scout himself for the Texas Rangers.

On Deck: TBD

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
SUPPORT US by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Previous Episodes Mentioned:
004: Moms and Travel Ball vs. Rec Ball Part 1
009: Interview with Div. 1 Catcher Who Was Cut From High School Teams
011: Girls Playing Boys Baseball
020: From 10u to the Big Ten: MI Select Coach on 2020 College Commits for Entire Team
025: Semi-Pro Pitcher Lennon Gwizdala

Other Notable Mentions:
Wendell Nehmer (Means Stamping)
Calhoun Community College
Lake Michigan College
Central Michigan University
Tom Ackerman
Tom Merkle
Matt Noakes
Saginaw Bay Riverdawgs
Michigan Select
Roger Coryell
Tony Lucadello
Prophet of the Sandlots
Mark Haske