By: Tiia Shred

Canadian Baseball Network

Baseball.

It's a great game.

Baseball.

It's a heartbreaking game. 

It is life-consuming.

As mothers, we often take on the problems and stresses of our children. Imagine those stresses are now 3,500 kilometres away in a culture you know nothing about. Information is limited and FaceTime conversations are an emotional time bomb. Some calls are filled with excitement and anticipation. Some are heart-wrenching; filled with self-doubt, defeat, and sadness.

It's a new world for all of us. Our boys are no longer, "big fish in a little pond." They are now treading water in an ocean filled with talented ballplayers. Self-doubt abounds. Injuries are plentiful and crushing. As much as our boys sometimes feel frustrated and alone, those feelings are mirrored in minor-league moms everywhere.

What do you say when your child doesn't get the minor-league promotion they were hoping for? What do you say when that hamstring strain has them sidelined for 10 days? We tell them, "Stay strong, you can do this. Nobody said it was going to be easy."

Well moms, nobody said it was going to be easy. Stay strong, you can do this.

I'm fortunate. I have other baseball moms in my circle of friends who are going through the same thing. Calls from my son are quickly followed by calls to my fellow moms. We talk our boys through their struggles and then talk each other through them. Support is key. This is not a journey to be taken alone. We are learning together.

Good red wine helps.

Savour the success. The first hit as a pro, the first pitch, the first jersey. Just enjoy, "living the dream." While so many teenagers struggle to find themselves, our boys know who they are. They know what they want and they're going for it. Good for them, and good for you. Be proud.

Each day brings new challenges. Each day brings new joy. The minor leagues are a grind for the players and a roller coaster for those of us going along for the ride. So laugh, cry, and enjoy every minute of it.