Season F I V E

These past five months have flown by.  Yesterday morning, we dropped D.J. off at the airport to report to Arizona.  I cannot believe that we are starting his fifth full season as a professional baseball player.  The past few months that we have had him at home have been some of the best times as a family of three ( + Stryker).  D.J. has HC have been able to spend lots of quality time together making memories that will never be forgotten.

As I sit here and begin to transition back to only having two hands to help all the time, I think about the exciting things to come this season and how it will be different than years past. Last season, D.J. left when I was 36 weeks pregnant.  We then got to spend most of my maternity leave together traveling around the mid-atlantic/northeast watching D.J. play with the Akron Rubberducks.  Two seasons ago, we had some of the best times in baseball so far in Lynchburg, VA with some of the best people.  I was able to work remotely with Norfolk Collegiate all while being able to watch DJ play ball in the evenings!  That was by far my favorite summer - it was also the summer we got pregnant with Harrison and where I found my passion of teaching workout classes (thanks to the ladies for letting me find that through them!).

So this season will be a bit of an adjustment. No working remotely and no maternity leave.  We are planning to make the most of long weekends and close games when possible. But most of all, we are excited about daddy continuing to chase his dream.  This game is brutal - lots of hours put in on the field, on the bus, in the clubhouse - it takes a lot of dedication.  Decisions to leave your family.  Decision on when it's time to hang up the cleats.  We will continue to support D.J.'s dream as long as someone continues to have him on their team and as a long as he wants to play.  This lifestyle may no be "normal" to most, but it's what we know and what works for us.

Season F I V E - please be good to us.  Put D.J. in the best opportunities to shine.  Allow our friends and teammates to live out their dreams in whatever organization they are with.  Be nice to the wives and girlfriends that aren't able to make it for the season.  Here we go....

#baseballwifelife: Annapolis, MD Trip

Harrison and I had the best weekend visiting Daddy and Mawmaw and Pawpaw! We had the trip planned for a long time and I had everything lined up to make the trip as easy as possible.  We left Friday morning around 6:30 to head up the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  The drive was beautiful and HC was an angel baby.  We only stopped once for him to grab some snacky and got right back on the road. 

The night before we left I decided that it was time to upgrade him to the next car seat! But he loved it and I knew he wouldn't need the removable carrier car seat anymore. 

We arrived in Annapolis to meet DJ around 11 and seeing Harrison look at his daddy is getting sweeter every time! We went straight to downtown Annapolis to eat a delicious lunch at Chick and Ruth's Deli - a classic in the city. 

We walked the streets of the city before heading back to the hotel to unload all the baby stuff.  Traveling with a baby is not easy, but I have definitely found the necessary traveling pieces for us! One of those being the wrap...HC seriously loves it! 

Y'all, can we take a moment and look at all that post partum hair loss?! UGH! 

Friday night we went to the ball game and we got to see my in laws! They are seriously the cutest with HC.  Harrison is the youngest grandchild on their side and it seems like forever ago that Bryce was this little! 

Saturday morning we decided to go downtown for crepes before we got crabs for lunch.  I am a big crepe lover. My go to is nutella, bananas, strawberries, powder sugar and whip cream. mmmmmmmmm. 

We took a quick walk around the outside of the Naval Academy and then we decided to take a tour of Annapolis by boat! HC slept the whole time - it was great! 

 After the boat tour, we headed to this restaurant on the water for crabs.  They were seriously the best crabs I've ever had! Very delicious, great company and beautiful scenery.  We couldn't resist taking some more pictures!

Can you tell that I'm the one married in?! Tall, taller and tallest!

The baseball games were super fun to go to because we got to see some of our favorite baseball ladies, Stassie and Ashley!

Overall it was a great weekend. DJ got to spend lots of time with us, my in-laws got some good quality time with HC and explored around another beautiful city that I will for sure be visiting again! Cheers to another ballpark and city crossed off my list and state #7 added to HC's state map!

#baseballwifelife: An Update

Let me tell you one thing - baseball season with a baby add a whole different component to things! Harrison and I love watching the games this season and it's actually part of our nightly "routine" right now. Since I haven't updated y'all on baseball season so far (or anything on the blog for that matter), here is an update on how D.J. has been doing this season.

• When Harrison was 2 weeks old, we made a trip to Akron for a few days to see Daddy.  Harrison saw his first baseball game and slept all through it.  Right when D.J. finished playing, he woke up to eat.  Thank you for making that work for me, buddy.
• D.J. started the season as a reliever. And in true fashion, switched back to starting in late April.  He is back to a 5 day rotation, which also makes it very nice for family.
• Since we have been back in Norfolk, we have been watching all the games on the "TV".  Technically it's the computer, but we stream it to the TV.  We watch all the games at my parents house and then when it's over, we come home and go to bed.  It's a pretty good routine we have going on. 
• D.J. currently has a 2-0 record with a 2.78 ERA.  And in only 22 innings pitched, he has 30 strikeouts!! 
• Harrison and I are gearing up for our next trip this Friday to Harrisburg, PA.  From there we are going to Norwich, CT and then back to Akron.  I am planning on staying up there for a good time and hopefully the rest of my maternity leave.
• This team has an awesome, very family oriented coach and we are very thankful for that! 
• I haven't taken ANY pictures of D.J. playing, so hopefully I will get some good ones this weekend! 

Thanks for sticking around these parts as we are still adjusting to having baby boy around and soaking in all the love and baby snuggles <3. 

#baseballwifelife: Another View- Lauren

With the last week of Spring Training upon us, this week's #baseballwifelife is live up on the blog.  Today I am so excited to introduce you to Lauren, baseball girlfriend to Mitch who was D.J.'s roommate last season! Hope you enjoy! Oh and I'm over on her blog answering questions about our baseball life! 

1. Tell us about yourself! How did you meet Mitch? Do you travel during the season? 

Hi Friends :) My name is Lauren and I am from Rochester, MN as is my Minor League Baseball-playing boyfriend, Mitch. Mitch and I met in 6th grade at school and had always been really close friends—up until junior year of high school when he asked me to Prom. That’s when it all started y’all. We’ve been together ever since and through all of the ups and downs and the roller-coaster ride of life and baseball, we are so happy to have been together (almost) five years now. 

2. Favorite froyo topping? Strawberries & Cocoa Pebbles!

3. Everything thinks baseball players and their families live glamorous lives - what would you say to that?

Although this may be true for some of the Big Leaguer’s, the reality of it all is that the minor league guys and their families live a difficult life. The majority of us wives and girlfriends have long distance relationships with our beau’s. You see, the guys don’t get paid diddly-squat in the minor leagues, so us girls often have to finish school and/or stay home and work to provide for ourselves and our families. There is also a lot of travel involved with this lifestyle—some people love it and some people don’t. 

It’s not all bad, but I wouldn’t say it’s glamorous either! There are some perks to living this lifestyle. One of the biggest perks for me has been the baseball community. The majority of the players and their wives and girlfriends have been wonderful. We’re all in the same boat and we can all relate to one another. We love our baseball fam!

4. Dating someone in the minor leagues can be hard. What would you say is the biggest challenge for you and Mitch?

Finding time to communicate! With Mitch's schedule at the field during Spring Training and during regular season games, and my school/work/sport schedule at school, it’s extremely difficult for us to simply sit down and find time to have a conversation. Not to mention his signal AND wifi at his hotel right now are beyond terrible! So, when I get a chance to chat I soak it all in because the opportunity is rare!

5. What is your favorite and worse part of the minor league lifestyle?

Favorite part: the baseball fam and the games. I love baseball and the entire environment. I also love meeting new people and discovering new places and cities—even if they aren’t the greatest places!

Worst part: The long distance that the baseball lifestyle requires of Mitch and I. Some ladies are fortunate enough to be able to travel with their men, but for right now that’s just not in the cards for Mitch and I (unless I am able to land a full-time remote position post-graduation—I’m taking recommendations!). 

6. I know you spent time with Mitch during the season last year.  What would you say you learned about yourself and your relationship during that time?

Last summer was a blessing. I knew that once I graduated I’d need to get a full-time job to prepare Mitch and I for our future, so I jumped on the opportunity to spend the summer with him in 2015. We learned A LOT about one another! We definitely felt pressure throughout the summer from our married roommates (there were seven of us total in a three bedroom apartment!) but they definitely helped us to question our relationship in a positive way—which helped us grow further into our relationship. Being in the same place at the same time helped us learn each other’s pet-peeves as well! Example: Mitch HATES the sound of people brushing his teeth! Who knew? I also learned that I am terrible at navigating, well technically Siri is. I like to blame her!

7. What is the craziest or most memorable experience you've had on your baseball journey?

Last summer was definitely the most memorable. There were about 5-10 girls in once place at one time all summer long—which is very rare with everyone’s schedules! Another favorite memory was having Mitch’s coach call me out of the stands to personally give me a reservation that he’d made for us at a local restaurant for the upcoming off-day. It was such a nice gesture!

8. What does the ideal off day during the season look like for you and Mitch?

For us, we typically just like to catch up on sleep seeing as the baseball lifestyle has you running on a very weird sleep schedule! We just like to relax and enjoy each other’s company since the guys only get a few days off ALL SUMMER!

9. What kind of advice would you give to future baseball wives and girlfriends?

For all you ladies out there, confide in one another! We all know what each other is going through because we’ve all been there and/or we can personally relate. We’re all sisters around here! Also, be patient and understanding. The long distance and miscommunication are definitely difficult at times, but it’s all worth it when you get to be with the love of your life in the end. 

#baseballwifelife: The Questions

Monday marked the halfway point of minor league Spring Training.  Maybe it's because I am counting days like a hawk, but it seems like this month is flying by.  D.J. has been having an amazing spring training so far and we cannot wait to see what this season holds for him. 

This is the start of D.J.'s fourth full season in the minor leagues and the system still seems to confuse 99% of everyone that I try to explain it to.  We get questions about the minor league system in general, questions about his living arrangements, pay, and so much more.  When I started writing this post, I wanted to get some other ladies advice, so I posted on the Facebook group I'm a part of.  You would never believe how many responses I got! There had to be over a hundred suggestions of questions that people don't understand about our lifestyle.

So after combing through them, here are some of the questions and hopefully answers to our crazy lifestyle that we live!

Why did he choose to play with the Indians? Is he hoping to be drafted soon? Does he want to make it to the real team?

OK, so what people don't seem to get is that D.J. has already been drafted.  By the Cleveland Indians.  Back in June of 2012.  Every June, the 30 Major League baseball clubs participate in the draft.  They choose roughly 40 players that they want on their teams - from high school kids, to junior college kids, to 4 year college kids.  4 year college kids are eligible for the draft their junior year of school and in some cases if they're 21 by a certain date. In D.J.'s case, teams scouted him in college and after his junior year in June of 2012, the Indians decided they would take a chance on him (since he was hurt at the time) and drafted him in the 39th round. Since he was drafted, he has been on multiple teams in the Indians organization.  So far, he has been on three different levels of teams and is hoping to continue to move up to the "real" team - the Cleveland Indians. So to answer the question above...he had no say in what team would draft him, he has already been drafted and he is already on the real team.  He is not in the major leagues, but he is an employee of the Cleveland Indians organization and is working his way up in the minor league system. 

Why do you still work at Norfolk Collegiate? Doesn't he make enough for you to stay at home? Why don't you just travel with him? Since he plays baseball for a living, doesn't that mean y'all are rich?

First off, I really enjoy my job.  I find that a woman with a career is very valuable in this world today.  That by no means do I dismiss the work that all the stay at home moms I know do.  They work their ass off every day in a different way than I do and I don't know if I would have enough patients to do that, so hats off to you ladies! Second off, no - D.J. does not make enough money for me to stay at home and travel with him every season.  We are fortunate enough to have a place we call home and during the season I man the house.  Last season, my job let me work remotely for the summer, but with my upcoming maternity leave, that is not happening this season.  As much as I would love to see every game D.J. plays and be with all the other baseball wives that are there for the season, that is not the baseball life that works for us.  Everyone has their own story and there is no judgement from any of the baseball ladies on that.  For the record, D.J. only gets paid during the months he is playing baseball.  So technically, he has no income from the months of September until April.  So having a steady income from my job is how we are fortunate enough to live the way we do.  I work because I like my job, we need a steady income and no, D.J. does not make millions (or even thousands) of dollars! 

Why can't he just play for the team in Norfolk? He can't just take a day off to come to the wedding? They play everyday!?!?!

Ah, these are some of the best questions.  Makes me realize how much I didn't know coming into this lifestyle.  It truly is a world of unknown until you experience it for yourself.  As great as it would be for D.J. to be on the Norfolk Tides, that is not possible...unless D.J. got traded to the Baltimore Orioles.  The Tides are the AAA team for the Orioles and he plays on the AA team for the Indians.  Completely different levels and organizations.  Bummer right?! Since they do play every day, off days are sacred.  Off days are spent traveling or sleeping for the most part.  Games are played hundreds of miles apart or an hour down the road.  So no, he can't just take a day off to come home or to your wedding or to the family reunion.  All of our summer holidays are spent traveling to whatever city D.J. is in that weekend! 

What does he do all day if he doesn’t go to the field till like 5?

You know how you go to sleep anywhere between 9-11 p.m. and wake up for work between 6-8 a.m.? Well they work from 1 p.m. till 11 p.m. on average.  So although he may not have to "go into work" until later than a normal 9-5 job, he also has a very different sleep schedule.  Then there are games at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. that are played after getting home at 11:30 p.m. the night before. Yes, he has to get up early to play baseball, but it's also his job that is based on performance. He can't just go to work and get through it. He has to perform the best way he can each and every time he pitches, or his career may end earlier than we want. 

And a few more without long answers...

How long do you think he’ll keep playing? Hopefully a long time.  Baseball is very unpredictable.  He could be "fired" any day at any time throughout the season. He also says how it would be very hard to walk away from the game he loves. 

What is he going to do after baseball? No idea.  We will cross that bridge when we get there. 

Do you buy a house where he lives or does the team pay for housing? Typically the minor leaguers bunk up with each other - two guys per room in a three bedroom apartment.  Not to mention their wives/girlfriends that come to visit.  Or they have host families that offer up a room in their house for the players. So no, we don't buy a house and the team does NOT pay for housing.  That is all on the responsibility of the player.

If he plays for the Akron Rubberducks, how is he with the Cleveland Indians? The Akron Rubberducks is the AA team affiliate with the Cleveland Indians organization. The affiliates are basically rungs on a ladder with the Cleveland Indians being at the top. 

When will he make it to the bigs? That's the big question.  No one knows.  Could be tomorrow for some players, could be never for others.  That's the risk you take playing professional baseball.  You are always working for the next job opening on the next team up!

Don’t you get lonely when he is gone?! Obviously.  Thanks for rubbing it in.

I really have learned so much since this journey in professional baseball has began and I am happy to answer more questions you may have about our lifestyle! It truly has been a rollercoaster ride since I started dating D.J. and I am thankful for such a level-headed man to be on the ride with.

Oh, and if you want to know more specifically about D.J.'s season so far, check out this link! Heading into the season as the #66 prospect is an amazing accomplishment for someone drafted in the 39th round! 

#baseballwifelife: Mid-season moves

Everyone always says they could be moved up at any point in the season, but until now we haven't experienced that.  I am happy to announce that D.J. has been promoted to the AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians - the Akron Rubberducks! 

So it was on Wednesday night last week when the girls from Lynchburg were here visiting me in Norfolk for a few days before we got on the road to Myrtle Beach for the weekend.  I woke up that morning with the craziest dream that D.J. got moved to Akron.  I even checked twitter to make sure it didn't happen and I just forgot about it.  But nothing on twitter.  So I just went on with my day.  I told my co-workers about my dream too, just because it was so vivid.

Not more than 5 hours later, D.J. called me and told me that I wouldn't need to go down to Myrtle Beach because he wasn't going to be there.  I was shocked! I knew that a promotion was possible, but seriously thought there was no room for another pitcher in Akron.  Well there is, and I hope he is there to stay!

So D.J. got the start on Saturday in Portland, Maine.  And yes, we went.  That's tomorrow's post. 

The newest Akron Rubberduck, y'all! So proud of his hard work and positive mental attitude this season.  He truly works hard day in and day out to support us and I will continue to stand by his side till he hangs up the cleats.

#baseballwifelife | One for the Record Books

This weekend was another one for the record books - literally! 

In front of all our family, D.J. had a career high in innings pitched and strike outs! I could not have been more proud of him and the way he has been playing lately.  Over the past three games, D.J has pitched 22 innings, allowed 14 hits, only walked 4 batters, and had 15 strikeouts!

Saturday's game was a nail-biter.  Tied in the bottom of the 10th, our friend and the team's catcher, Eric, was up to bat.  I think everyone in the stadium has their own "I called that" story, but here's mine.  I was standing with Maria, Eric's wife, talking about how they always have to make the games interesting at the end.  We were saying how it could all be over if Eric just hit a homerun.  And not 10 seconds later the crack of the bat sounded and that ball was GONE! 

It was so great having all our family there to see the game.  Hope the rest of the season continues to go this way for D.J. and the Hillcats!

2015 Fourth of July Weekend

Whew. What a weekend! The 4th of July is my favorite holiday and this year did not disappoint.  Having Friday off and not having to drive to Lynchburg was amazing.  The weather here was pretty overcast and rainy, so we spent the whole day watching almost two full seasons of Grey's Anatomy.  Yep, that's what us baseball girls do when the team is away and we don't travel. 

Saturday morning we got a workout in before the family came up to visit.  Every year our neighbor has a big July 4th blowout party and I was so excited that a few family members decided to come see D.J. play instead.  This is now the third year in a row that D.J. has played on the holiday and this year he did AWESOME! 7 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts!

 I didn't get any pictures of D.J. pitching because these little girls were loving on me the entire game and learning all about balls and strikes while D.J. was on the mound.

These ladies make baseball fun! 

I couldn't be more happy that these pretty twins are back in America for good!

And when they saw D.J., they were attached.  I think I heard "D.J." said almost as much as they say "mom!"

After the game, we watched fireworks on the field with the guys.

I had to beg the girls to get out of the photo so I could at least get one good one with him.

D.J.'s dedicated fan club.  My in-laws, my aunt, Nana, mom, and the girls. 

And while waiting for the guys to come out of the shower, we played with sparklers and figured out how to do this cool photo.  Now I know how to do it, so the next photos will be even better! 

 Hope you all had a fabulous 4th celebrating America with friends and family that you love!

Salem Redsox | Ballpark #7 of 8

Earlier this week the boys played in Salem, VA against the Salem Redsox - the Advanced A affiliated of the Boston Redsox.  It was such a pretty drive across the Blue Ridge mountain range and close enough that the girls and I were able to go and come back every day.  

Sunday they played at 4 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m. so the girls all went on Sunday but only a few of us went on Monday to see D.J. play.  This now makes it 7/8 ballparks in this league that I've been too.  I want to make the trip to Wilmington, Delaware, but haven't found the right time to go yet.  Hopefully sometime before the season ends.

D.J. has been playing pretty well this season, but seems to have an "every other game" trend going on.  This game is Salem was his "good" game of the rotation and pitched 7 innings allowing only 5 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts.

The next time D.J. is scheduled to pitch is on July 4th, which will be the third year in a row he plays on the holiday!

This boy is seriously the best kid in baseball.  He is always moving around, but between all the girls here, he always has someone watching/holding/squeezing those chubby cheeks of his.

As the sun set on the ballpark, the moon was shining bright.  I couldn't help but snap these awesome pictures of the field and moon.

Happy early 4th of July, friends!