If you’ve ever sat at the ballfield for hours on end, in unpredictable weather, chasing snacks, sunscreen, and somehow still forgetting one thing…you get it.
Softball season is not for the unprepared.
After a few seasons of tournaments, long weekends, and packing the car like we’re heading on vacation, I’ve finally figured out (almost) the must-haves that make game days smoother, more comfortable, and way more enjoyable.
Here’s everything I always have with me!
1. The Ultimate Bag.
Let’s start with the obvious, you need a good bag! I have had this bag since Hadley was in kindergarten, and I cannot for the life of me find a link to where I purchased it from. I know it was from Etsy because it’s personalized with our last name on the bag. We use it as our swim bag for the pool also. It’s large, and has so many pockets. It’s perfect for the ballfield. You can customize the bag to your teams colors, your kids number, or last name, or anything you’d like.
Mom tip: I designate each little pocket for specific things so I’m not digging through chaos mid-game.
2. Sideline Comfort Setup (Because Tournaments are LONG).
If you know, you know…you basically live at the fields on weekends.
Game-changing comfort items:
– foldable sports chair with cup holder – (linked here)
– Blanket for chilling mornings – (linked here)
– Portable tent – (linked here)
– Misting fan + bucket – (linked here)
– Cooling towel for hot days – (linked here)
This turns your sideline into a mini home base instead of “surviving the day.”
3. Weather-Proof Essentials.
Softball weather = unpredictable chaos. One game you’re freezing, the next you’re melting. I’d prefer to be melting than freezing just so you know!
Always in my bag:
– Sunscreen (non-negotiable): Coppertone spray (linked here), Coppertone Kids Roll-On (linked here), Supergoop Glowstick (linked here)
– Bug spray: OFF clean feel misting spray (linked here), Mosquito bracelets (linked here)
– Sunglasses + hat: Goodr Sunglasses (linked here), hat (linked here)
– Umbrella (linked here)
– Sweatshirt / light jacket in team colors (linked here)
4. Snacks + Hydration Station.
Hungry kids + long games = meltdown territory.
Our go-to lineup:
– Water bottles: Simple Modern Kids Water Bottle (linked here)
– Electrolyte drinks: Gatorade (linked here), Liquid IV (linked here)
– Protein snacks: Gatorade protein bars (linked here), Beef sticks (linked here), salted peanuts (linked here)
– Easy grab snacks: Welch’s Fruit Snacks (linked here), Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers (linked here),
– Gum or mintsL Life Savers Mints (linked here), Extra Gum (linked here)
Pro-tip: Freeze water bottles the night before – they double as ice packs!
5. “Just In Case” Kit (The MVP You Don’t Think About).
Hungry kids + long games = meltdown territory. This is the bag you don’t think you need, until you REALLY need it.
What’s in mine:
– Bandaids (linked here)
– Neosporin (linked here)
– Ibuprofen (linked here)
– Tylenol (linked here)
– Chapstick (linked here)
– Extra hair ties (their is always one girl that needs one!) (linked here)
– Wet wipes (linked here)
– Hand sanitzer (linked here)
This little kit has saved us more times than I can count.
6. Sibling toys.
Huxley and the other little siblings that are tugged along on these long tournament weekends, need to have lots of things to keep them busy!
Items we bring with us:
– Wagon (we have a smaller wagon that Huxley can pull himself, we load it up full of all his things!) (linked here)
– Cars. Lots and lots of cars. (linked here)
– Big trucks (linked here)
– Big cars (linked here)
– Scooter (a must) (linked here)
– Digger toys, to play in the dirt (linked here)
7. Final Thoughts: It’s More Than Just a Game.
At the end of the day, it’s not really about having all the things. It’s about being prepared enough that you can actually enjoy the game, cheer them on, and soak in the memories – even during the long tournament weekends.
Because one day, we will miss these days at the ballfield. I know I’m going to!
Let’s Chat!
If you’re a softball (or baseball) mom, I’d love to know:
What’s one thing you always bring to the field?
Drop it in the comments so we can all steal each other’s best ideas!
