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You Never Forget Your First Time – The Life Lessons of Baseball

Filed Under: baseball, BLOG, learning, parenting, sports Tagged With: , ,

They say you never forget your first time.

I would totally have to agree, but I am not talking about what you may be thinking here.

My first time was back in 1987 at Shea Stadium.  I was only 10 years old back in the summer of 1987, but couldn’t wait to attend my first ever NY Mets baseball game.

See the year before, rooting for the home team (the New York Mets) became that much sweeter when they had a magical baseball season culminating in their now famous 1986 World Series win against the Boston Red Sox.

So, of course, I couldn’t wait to see them in the flesh in action.

I will never quite forget getting there well before the game started and watching the players warm up.

I even recall that they were playing the Atlanta Braves.  

Nor will I forget the wafting, mouth-watering smells of hot dogs and pretzels.  Let’s face it, there is nothing quite like a ball park hot dog or pretzel.  

All these years later, I still have an eternal love for this sport.  Quite frankly it is probably my favorite sport and the one that I do actually understand.

I couldn’t wait to pass my love of baseball and the NY Mets onto my own girls.

We finally took the girls to their first game ever and I believe it was as memorable as my own first game was with both my girls asking for a return engagement.

Three Lessons to Learn from Baseball

Three Basic Life Lessons We Could All Learn from the Game of Baseball:

1.  It is one, two, three Strikes, you’re out…

In life, we all will strike out from time-to-time.  It is bound to happen.  Yet it isn’t about sometimes failing, but how you deal with and rebound from these times that matter the most.  

Because it is one, two three, strikes you’re out at the old ball game!!

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My mom always told me that I was bound to make mistakes, but as long as I didn’t make the same mistake twice, as well as learned from it, was all that mattered.  

The same can applied with baseball, because even when batters strike out, they come back to the plate to try once again to hit one out of the park still yet in the next inning.

Signed Cast from Elsa and Anna

Actual Signed Cast from Elsa and Anna

Recently, my younger daughter I had mentioned here broke her wrist.  Pretty big mistake and strike out for her, but she accepted the fate of wearing a cast for 3 weeks.  Even if she had a close call with Frozen’s Elsa and Anna seeing her cast at her friend’s party, she eventually came back swinging during that party and had her cast actually signed by the most sought after sisters.  

Moral of the story, don’t let the strikes out get you down and walk proudly up to the plate at your next bat or chance, because you could just hit a grad slam the next time out.

2.  We can’t always win, but try to enjoy playing the game (life)…

Once again, we can’t always win in life, but sometimes we can just try to enjoy the ride or the days.  Some days will be better and definitely more fun than others, but still we have to keep living each day to the fullest in order to get to those sweeter days and moments.

It isn’t all about winning, but enjoying the actual game…

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Same for the actual baseball game, because not every game will be written down in the win column, but as long as the players go out there, try their best and enjoy the actual game that is what resonates the most.  Plus, even after a pretty bad lose, there will be chances for better games and wins to come.  

By the way, my older daughter actually asked me after her first Mets game, why the Mets couldn’t have won and explained it to her this exact way, plus I added that the players tried their best, especially during the 5th inning where they had rallied to tie the game.  Her father joked though, “To get used it, as it comes with the territory of being a Mets fan!”

Got to love fatherly humor, but still in the end we most certainly enjoyed the game win or not and the girls keep asking when we can go back.

3.  It isn’t over, until it is over…

Even though each inning has three outs, the game itself isn’t over until it is actually over.  Just as you have heard amazing comeback stories at the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs, so can be said in life, too.

Because just when you think think you are out for the count with something, if you work that much harder, you might just find you will enjoy a sweet victory. 

It’s not over until it is over!!

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Recently, my older daughter was having a bit of trouble sounding out word families after having no problem with sight words.  She was discouraged by feeling less than confident and pretty much ready to throw the towel in.  But her teacher gave me some tips on how to help.  Together, we worked daily with flash cards and even reading books with similar words to what she was learning daily.  I was told by her teacher recently that her extra efforts have paid off and helped her .  

Emma Making a Move With Me Against Kevin and Lily for Tic Stac Toe

Nail biting, but her efforts sure paid off!

See big win at the end of kindergarten for her And now first grade and the next big game is looming for her. Again, the big game most definitely isn’t over by a mile for her.

Again, when all is said and baseball is definitely fraught with some life lessons. Just try not to get told by the umpire, “You’re outta here!”

Baseball life lessons – You’re outta here!!! #parenting #baseball #advice

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*A version of this article has appeared on The Huffington Post with permission.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allie says

    So true and so relatable! I spend most weekends watching t-ball but, I do love a good baseball game at the park. We have yet to take the boys but this summer will probably be perfect!

  2. Rosey says

    Your analogy is great here. 🙂 I remember my first ball game too. I was GROWN though, lol, and had two of my kiddos’ with me. 🙂

  3. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    I think the 3 strikes & you’re out rule is the best one. It definitely applies to a lot of things.

    • Janine says

      Aw, Nellie my brother is a Yankee fan, too but still loves going to Citi Field. So, I think we can totally all agree to love the game itself no matter, which team is playing 😉

  6. Lauren Baker Cormier says

    Love this! My first game was a Red Sox game when I was 25. I remember walking down the brick hallways of Fenway Park and suddenly getting my first glimpse of the field. It was kind of magical, even though I was a grownup. I’ll always remember it for two reasons: 1. It was Clay Buchholz first time pitching and he threw a no hitter. 2. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was pregnant with my first baby.

  7. Kristen says

    I LOVE this!! So true….playing and enjoying the sport is more important than winning. You know I’m sharing this!!!

    • Janine says

      Aw, thank you for sharing Kristen and the enjoyment part is what I hope my girls get out of this if nothing else, too 😉

  8. Meredith says

    Love how you pulled such too-true life lessons from this American classic–you’ve made it an amazing parenting tool, Janine!

  9. Mary Widdicks says

    I grew up in Oregon where we didn’t have a team, but when I moved to St Louis I used to go all the time. They say the Cardinals fans are some of the best in the country. It was pretty amazing.

  10. Davetta L Wilson says

    I don’t remember the first time, but I do remember going with my dad. I wouldn’t find out until I was an adult how much he loved the game and how we should’ve enjoyed them more.

  12. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    I love this post. We are huge baseball fans. Casey played baseball from age 4 to 18 years old. We had such fun watching him. When he was 2 years old, we took him to see the Atlanta Braves. After the game, he was able to run the bases. Before the game, we did a tour of Fulton county stadium. I think that day he decided to play baseball. He always wanted to play for the braves. It did not work out but we all had an amazing family experience 4 to 5 times a week watching him play. This summer we are planning a trip to St. Louis to see the Braves play. It is closer than Atlanta. We cannot wait! Thanks for sharing all these lessons from baseball. I totally agree.
    Many blessings,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      Aw, I love all your memories, too and have to admit when I saw the Mets play the Braves, it was one of my all-time favorite baseball memories as a kid, because the Braves were truly class acts signing autographs for us, while the Mets couldn’t be bothered without being paid for theirs as this was right after the 1986 World Series win.

  13. Bill says

    A baseball metaphor? How cool! I’m completely down with this message. Love it! Sorry about your daughter. I hope she heals quickly.

    Have a superb Monday, my friend. The heat continues here.

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks Bill and definitely can’t help, but love the metaphor her with baseball. And Lily did heal from he arm, but now I have both girls home with fevers and such. Will be off to the doctor for sure with them. Just hope to get this illness out of my home and enjoy the summer once and for all now though. Happy Monday once again!!

  14. Jen says

    Great analogy Janine! Our family loves baseball! We love it so much we have coached for the last 6 years! I felt the same way going to a game for the first time as a young girl, it wasn’t Shea Stadium, but it was soo much fun. Later when I was able to take my kids to a game, it was even more fun!

  16. Seana Turner says

    My husband would love this post – he is all about baseball! And they are such true lessons. It is especially important to remember number 3; so often we give up just a moment too soon, me included. I try to remember to keep going until I can’t go anymore.

  18. Chris Carter says

    Aw!! I just LOVE these analogies Janine!! SO true and your examples with your own kiddos truly reflect those life lessons of the game… 🙂

  19. Jessica @ Absurd, She Wrote says

    I really loved this post. Baseball was a point of connection for my father and I. We watched games together on tv in the summers and I played for many years. He came straight from work to watch my games. Even when I didn’t get a single hit for an entire season!

    • Janine says

      Love that you and your father, too shared baseball for years and that I was able to bring back those wonderful memories here today for you, Jessica 😉

  20. Ginny Marie says

    My first ball game was a Chicago White Sox game. They gave out free tickets for getting straight A’s in grade school! We aren’t Sox fans, though, but die-hard Cubs fans, so my daughters have already been to Wrigley Field several times!

    • Janine says

      That was pretty cool getting tickets for free and honestly would love to win tickets but not sure how I would feel if it were for the Yankees not the Mets.

  21. karen says

    Tony would agree with everything you just wrote!!!! He’s a baseball fan and believer in the need of baseball rules for life. He LOVES the Yankees, but also LOVES baseball and knows all the facts and stats. I don’t think AJ is going to follow in the same footsteps.

  22. Lauren says

    Hi there! I’m on a break from school and catching up on my favorites. 🙂 Hope all is well with you and your family! We took Marshall for his first game last summer (on his birthday), and he’s been talking about going back ever since. It’s so much fun!

    • Janine says

      Aw, so happy to see you here today and just love that Marshall enjoyed his first game so much and hope you can take him again this summer, too!! 😉

  25. Kathy Radigan says

    Love, love, love this!!!! And my first game was a met game too!! It was 1990 and I was on a double date with my roommate her boyfriend and one of his fraternity brothers. So funny I hadn’t thought about this is so long!!!

    • Janine says

      I am totally smiling knowing that we both share the Mets as our first ever baseball experience and love that I reminded you of this today. Would love to go with you to a game someday soon now!!! 🙂

  26. Tamara says

    Excellent analogy! And I remember my first Yankees game well. There’s nothing like those hot dogs (or the ice cream I got directly after the game).

    • Janine says

      Tamra, there really isn’t anything like those hot dogs ever and I need to get you to a Mets game now soon 😉

  27. Sinea says

    OK, dear friend, another thing we have in common. I LOVE baseball! Now, you’ll have to forgive me but the YANKEES are my team. But, if they couldn’t be, then the Mets are my second fave!

    There are so many great lessons to be learned through baseball. I love it that no one can get away with being a premadonna for long cuz it’s all about teamwork and everybody has their days. Some good, some not so good and a few that they’d like to forget forever LOL!

    Great post!!!

    • Janine says

      Sinea, my brother is a Yankees fan, so I like with him, who I also adore to pieces, I will agree to disagree. That said, I love that we have baseball in common, too!! 🙂

  28. Kenya G. Johnson says

    Love the way you tied baseball into family life. My first game was actually four years ago. I went see my brother in California and we all went to a Padres game. The Padres lost terribly but the experience was fun. We were on the shady side so even better because it was super hot that day. I did get one of those giant pretzels and of course we had to get some peanuts. I’ll have to ask Christopher if he remembers that because it was his first an only game.

    • Janine says

      I would love to know if Christopher remembers it, because dying to see if my girls will remember this game. I think Emma will, but Lily is still 16 months younger, so not sure to be honest.

  29. April G says

    Three great life lessons and you’re so right. You may get knocked down, but you aren’t knocked out unless you pull yourself out.

  31. Dana says

    Definitely life lessons – there are quite a few in sports. I can’t believe that kindergarten is over already – where did the year go?

  32. Aunt Gloria says

    A great way to get some life lessons worked into the fun of baseball! All we can do is try to hit the ball and get to 1st base, if not to the home plate…..glad the girls enjoyed their first baseball game. It will be a lifelong enjoyment and a family sharing. Love to you and the family……xxxxxooooo

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks Aunt Gloria and yes the girls absolutely loved the ball game and keep asking to return still, too!! xoxoxo 😉

  33. Echo says

    I am not a huge sports person, but I DO remember my first baseball game! I went with my brother and we saw the Twins play the Indians. I love what you wrote here and completely agree. You are such a powerful writer!

  34. Emily says

    These were great baseball/life lessons…I too grew up being a Mets fan since as you know, I’m a Long Island girl too. My dad is still a Mets fan, even though he’s lived in NYC (Yankee territory) for many years now. You are right that you never forget your first baseball game – I remember being mesmerized by seeing the field and stadium for the first time and I loved watching my boys’ faces when they set eyes on the field for the first time too. Nothing like it! (and now I’m craving hot dogs..)

  36. Leslie says

    Love the analogy here! I remember going to minor league games as a kid, but never really got into baseball. We would probably teach the same lessons through football, but the ideas are all the same. Plus, my daughters would be ridiculously jealous that someone else’s cast got signed by Anna and Elsa!

    • Janine says

      Leslie, if it wasn’t my daughter who got her cast signed by Elsa and Anna, she too would be green with envy!! 😉

  38. alisa/icescreammama says

    My life is baseball! So i totally get this!! Pass the cracker jacks! (and our family is split dad and two boys yankees and middle son, all mets – I went both ways until my middle guy made me swear loyalty to mets. i don’t mess with middle. 😉 )

  40. Rabia @TheLiebers says

    I don’t even like baseball that much, but I enjoy going to the games. There’s always so much going on! We’ve got a game to go tonight for a local farm team. And so many great life lessons to boot!

  41. Rea says

    Ohhh great analogy! I agree!! Actually I’m not the sporty type of kid but I once watched baseball in grade school and I found myself shouting and screaming during the game. HAHAHA. Didn’t realize it could be that exciting.

    • Janine says

      Rea, I know not sporty either still just love baseball. So, I think it is a sport that can draw even the most not sport like person into it 😉

  42. Liz says

    My dad was a Mets fan (after the Dodgers left) and my mom was a Yankees fan but we lived closer to Shea so that’s where we usually went. I’ve only been once since it became Citifield. Must go again! Thanks for the reminder–the lessons are a home run 😉

    • Janine says

      Yay and so glad to remind. All my family are Mets fans, except my brother, but even he likes going to Citi Field 😉

  43. Kirsten says

    You are spot on about all of these lessons. I need to use them with my kids because they could easily understand them since they all play baseball. There’s just something about the game that makes it click for some people. It kind of grabs a hold of you and never lets you go.

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