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Proud mamas are never far away

Sporting News, The, May 20, 2005 by Todd Jones

Now that their 00-year-old son, Alex, is pitching in youth leagues, Todd asked his wife, Michelle, "Who is harder to watch: Alex or me?"

Watching Todd pitch can be stressful. He has this crazy habit of making the game exciting by loading the bases with one out, etc. It's different watching our son because it's not his job. There's no professional risk involved. It's all about self-esteem. Baseball is so mental at all levels that believing in yourself is so important.

I have heard so much banter from fans during our time in baseball. Usually I ignore it, but when someone gets personal, it's harder to keep quiet. There's such a preconceived image of a baseball wife that few people understand our lives. Once the salaries are printed in the media, little else matters. Our society has this idea that money makes everything OK.

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Baseball wives are strong women. We are without our husbands a lot, and we move so many times it's hard to count. Sometimes the moving and doing everything on my own is tough, and 1 have to remind myself of the blessings this game has provided. I do love the game and enjoy watching it.

Being a Little League mom is fun, too. All moms know the challenges of scrubbing those uniforms, sitting through practices and juggling schedules. I can look around a Little League park any day and pick out the moms. They're the ones who look a little frazzled. They have the collapsible lawn chairs strapped over their shoulders and are carrying sunscreen and sunflower seeds. They're the ones who race across town to find those perfect batting gloves. They're the ones who will take you for ice cream and tell you what a great kid you are even though you let that ball roll between your legs like a Buckner reenactment.

Whenever my son or my husband takes the mound, they take a little piece of me with them. I feel every pitch; I want so badly for them to do well, to shine in their moment. Because I love them, and that's what you do when you love someone. You want the best for them.

So, if you're a fan and pay your money for your ticket, remember while you're heckling and yelling that no matter how larger than life athletes seem, they're just someone's little boy all grown up. Somewhere a proud mama is nearby, and like a mama bird watching her babies, she's protecting her son. Behind that man or Little Leaguer is a woman who spent many hours getting him where he is today.

Proud mamas are never far away

Sporting News, The, May 20, 2005 by Todd Jones

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