"I wish dad could've ... God, I love baseball."

- Roy Hobbs, The Natural

I remember before I had kids, one of my dearest fantasies was dreaming of my kids someday playing baseball.

For me, baseball is inextricably woven with the memories of my childhood. My closest memories of my father involve him coaching my team. My warmest memories of summer are all about my sister and I passing the day away in the playground across the street, playing ball with the neighbor kids. The best memories of my successes often involve softball. And even into adulthood, whenever I could, I was on a softball team.

When the kids came along, I knew that I wanted to be involved in any way I could - coaching them, playing with them, practicing with them.

As for having three kids playing softball, while my husband and I play on an adult rec league? Well, I guess I never did the math on that. Three kids and two adults equals four games a week for them, two games a week for us, and Saturday practices. Since I am coaching the middle child's team, things get even more hairy. So, yeah, it is logistically challenging to make it happen.

But I am beginning to think it is worth it.

Example? Our oldest one is really struggling with the transition to fast pitch. When she was younger, she loved playing ball. But now that she is the youngest kid in the "pre-teen" team (14 and under), she is struggling with anxiety - about the batter's box, about fast and wild pitches, and just about being one of the youngest kids. We have been telling her she has to hang in there and stick with the season. Luckily her coach has been really understanding of this new anxiety. And my lesson? I get to leave her alone to forge her way, conquer her fears, and stick with something. Something I think I could do a bit more with my daughter.

Our middle child is naturally shy. But I watch her now as she storms the field - she is a natural and is doing great. Somehow, having me as her coach is helping her even more. She is practically cocky out there. That's something she could use a bit more of, and baseball is helping her find it.

Of course, our youngest is just loving learning the sport in his easy-going way. And all three of them love the tradition of both of their parents playing in the adult league. Last night was the first game of the adult season and our team of adults supplied 24 kids to play on the sidelines during the game. They have the time of their lives... and they get to see their parents doing something good for them at the same time.

The best part of the softball tradition for me is what my husband a few others created two years ago. It is called "Kiddie Ball." When we are done with the adult team (which we usually lose quite handily) all of the kids come forward and get to play on the field. The kids talk all year about this tradition, and all kids get to have their chance to bat. Funny how the adults never seem to be quite able to put the kids out at first base.

Parenthood is different than I expected, of course. It is harder, a longer day, and more crazy than I planned. But I have decided there are certain moments that are every single thing I ever imagined. Christmas morning is one of those. So is watching my kids in a play or a musical. And another one is watching my kids play "Kiddie Ball" after we finish playing a game

I like to think that about 30 years from now, my kids will be talking about their childhoods in a (God willing) sentimental way, looking back on some of the things that they remember most fondly, and that some of those memories include playing softball as a family, having their mom coach their teams, or just playing catch together on a Sunday afternoon.

God, I love baseball.

Lauri Hennessey runs her own public relations business and has three children. You can reach her at Lauri@hennesseypr.com