08/08/2026
As I reflect back on the last eight days at the Little League Softball World Series, I don’t even know if I can fully put it into words.
It was everything you’d expect it to be. A complete ball of emotions tied into some of the coolest damn moments I’ve ever had watching my kid compete.
The mama heart was pulled in a million different directions. But being the PITCHER’S MOM? That s**t hits different.
You sit there completely helpless watching your kid stand in the middle of the field with the ball in her hand. Watching her fight through adversity. Watching her get punched in the mouth and have to come back out there again. Watching her deal with pressure, expectations, failure, success, exhaustion and emotions… sometimes all in the same damn game.
There were sleepless nights. There were tears. There were moments I wanted to take the pressure off of her, and then there were moments I knew the greatest thing I could do was LET HER LIVE IN IT.
Because she may never get these moments again.
And THAT is what I’ll remember most.
Winning isn’t everything. And you’re talking to someone who LOVES TO WIN. I’ve won a lot in this game and I’ll never pretend losing doesn’t suck.
But if all we take away from an experience like this is the scoreboard, then we missed the entire damn point.
What did you LEARN?
Can you get beat down by a big dog and have enough guts to look them in the face the next time and say, BRING IT ON?
Can you face one of the best pitchers in the country on a tough Texas team and still walk into that box believing you have a chance?
Can you battle a damn good Canada team and find a way through?
Can you face Florida AGAIN after they’ve already seen you, already know what you have, and still have the courage to take the ball and compete your ass off?
THAT’S THE S**T THAT MATTERS.
Because eventually the tournament ends. The uniforms get washed. The pictures get posted. Everyone goes home.
But the kid who walks away from it?
She’s different.
I couldn’t be more proud of this entire team and the fight they showed. And selfishly, I couldn’t be more proud watching my kid grow through moments that were ABSOLUTELY HARD.
Not running from them.
Not asking for easy.
Not being scared to fail.
Just continuing to take the damn ball and battle.
Those are the moments that make the mama heart proud.
But as a pitcher’s mom?
Those are the moments I’ll remember forever. ❤️
Little League
