This post is mostly for the women out there who just have no clue what they are getting themselves into with their next step into the baseball life. Maybe you are new to the baseball world, traveling for the first time, or fingers crossed your man was promoted to a new team. But even if you aren't that woman (or a woman at all for that matter), stick around. I’m about to share some funny stories, our lives are much more interesting than you would think, and we can use your support! Especially at this time of the year...
Tomorrow is opening day for milb teams. All of the teams that Tyler has been associated with since 2014 are going to take the field and for the first time in 4 years... I'm not there to cheer any of them on, in person. I had gotten pretty comfortable where we were. I was confident in my ability to maneuver around our organization and it’s stadiums. So, I really tried to be the wife that reached out to help any new gals figure out where they needed to go. Because just a couple of days ago (you read that right... a couple... as in basically two) these women found out they were headed wherever they are now... they then packed everything they could fit in the car and drove MANY hours to get to their new location, probably unpacked the apartment (if they were lucky enough to have found one that will let you rent for *who knows how many months*, with no proof of employment, and a measly minor league pay stub from last year) all by themselves while their man was at practice, and the last thing they want to do is have to tackle this new stadium all on their own... But that's how baseball works. It's a constant cluster. But since I am now the new girl in Japan and no longer the helpful veteran wife in the states... I wrote this instead. No matter what organization you are in... if you are a wife/ fiancé/ girlfriend to a guy in baseball pants, this next section is my advice to you... If you aren't a wife/ fiancé/ girlfriend and you are still reading this because I’m blowing your mind with how all this works, this next part is what I need you to PRAY about for them...
This is an opening day letter to the girl who is scrambling to find that "back hole" of an entrance that the wives are supposed to take to enter the stadium, 1) just take a DEEP BREATH! Yes, I said back hole. It is probably a hidden tunnel tucked between two trash cans that no one has ever noticed... kind of like our own secret clubhouse entrance. But you don't need a secret knock or password to get in... you will probably need your family pass. However, you probably won’t get that family pass for another two weeks....but let's take it one challenge at a time. You may have just driven the wrong way down a one way road in a strange new city, and then had to try your best to be polite to the man who wouldn't let you park where your husband told you to, and as flustered as you are right now... 2) Cherish it. Believe me, my anxiety ridden mind is never at a worse low than trying to figure out what the heck I am supposed to be doing at the beginning of a new season, in a new place, predominantly by myself. But count your blessings, because it won’t always be there or like in my case... it may be in Japanese next year and it gets even harder to figure out! 3) Reach out and make a friend (or 20) on the team. Because, if you are as lucky as I am in this department, you will meet really AMAZING women and those new friendships could turn in to SO much more! They will become your family, I promise they will want to help you... not judge you, because we have all been there. We have all been late to a game because we couldn’t find the weird entrance, and the parking people weren’t helpful because your parking pass wasn’t the right color, or the parking lot was filled with people who just paid a little extra to park there. And when you are late again tomorrow because the new parking pass STILL isn’t the right one and you get lost in the confusing tunnel under the stadium when you can’t remember exactly what door it was that took you to the stairs... (as long as you don’t end up on the field or heaven forbid the club house, you’re good!) It happens friend... But when it does, 4) ASK FOR HELP. It’s okay. It’s not your fault that you are confused. Say you are sorry and ask for guidance. Make a friend with a stadium employee, tell them who you are, and then confess that you are lost as hell and just want to find your seat. And girl... if you don’t have to struggle through any of that, because you got one of those teams that ROCKS at communication and is super helpful with everything 5) THANK THEM! Go to the front office, find the person in charge, shake their hand, and tell him/her that you appreciate them... because there is nothing better than a team that lets you in on things before they are actually happening!
Everything on this list I can recommend with absolute confidence... Because it has LITERALLY happened to me... Everything from the wrong way roads and apartment applications to parking passes and hidden tunnels... It is real, most of the time it’s a hot mess, but best of all... it's WORTH IT! Hang in there sister!
Goodluck this season to all my girls as you take on another season of pure CRAZINESS! Because whether I have met you or not... I’m thinking about you, I'm rooting for you, and most importantly... I'm praying for you! HAPPY BASEBALL SEASON!
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” -Psalm 94:19
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