To the dads of the kids on my son’s baseball team:

As the season winds down to a close, I realize there are some important things I didn’t know how to say to you in person. I just want to take a few minutes to say thank you.

Thank you to the dads who didn’t flinch when they asked my son’s name and he replied “Ketchup,” and to the dads who continued calling him that throughout the short season. It meant the world that you took the time to learn the name he loves being called the most and interacted with him on his level.

Thank you to the dads who supplied endless high fives and fist bumps to the entire team to keep them encouraged and ready.

To the dads who had patience as my son learned the basics of baseball because I was still learning them myself, thank you.

To those of you who realized that I was my son’s only cheerleader on the field for many of the nights and went out of their way to cheer him on whenever he was up to bat, thank you.

I don’t know if  something about me just screamed “single mom,” but somehow everyone helped chip in and cheer on my son. I saw dads who were stepping in to support every other kid, but for my son, it meant the world. You see, we have a support system, but when it came to baseball practice and everyone else having dads on the field and moms cheering their kids on from the sidelines, for my son, it would have been just me.

And you made him feel special. Loved. You helped him see the potential in himself when he was up to bat and you encouraged him on the field.

What you might not know about my son is that he tends to be musical, but he decided he wanted to try his hand at sports. It’s new territory for both of us, which means he sometimes struggles with a few insecurities on the field, no matter how hard I cheer for him on and off the baseball diamond. Your outside opinions help him feel more secure there.

It is times like this when I feel so blessed to live in a small town. Part of that lovely small town life means that my son will probably play sports with your kids in seasons going forward. It means that you might be there to help me cheer him on this fall in soccer, or in basketball this winter, or any other sports my son chooses to play going forward.

With every fist bump, with every “good job, Ketchup!” and with every batting suggestion, you helped my son feel more confident in baseball, and more excited for practice each time.

I cannot express my thanks enough.

With gratitude,

Ketchup’s Mom