Dugout Dish was given the opportunity to speak with and interview the beautifully talented women of Our Baseball Life which is a website dedicated to providing resources to baseball families throughout the game from Independent Baseball to Major League Baseball. This website has been an absolute blessing to the baseball community since its creation.
Dugout Dish: What sparked the creation of Our Baseball Life? Was there ever a moment when you all felt the community needed a place for resources to aid baseball families?
Lory Ankiel: My husband, Rick, was traded from the Royals to the Braves back in 2010 and I was newly pregnant. I knew nothing about Atlanta and was stressed about finding a place to live that would allow our big dogs and also finding a doctor! That’s when I thought, there should be a place where players and families can go to get this information quickly and easily! So OurBaseballLife.com was born.
Alysa Bajenaru: I was sitting in the middle of nowhere, Montana when I realized I couldn’t be the only baseball wife or girlfriend feeling all alone in that moment. I started an Instagram account to connect women in baseball, and over the years it grew into a vibrant community, a place to share stories and meet other women who get this life. It grew so big in fact that I needed help, and that’s when Paige Murphy jumped in to help.
About a year and a half ago, the three of us joined forces because we were all serving the same community.
DD: You all have spent so many years within the baseball community, you show the real side to being WAGs and not the picture perfect version that is often seen on television. Has there ever been a time when it all felt like it was too much?
LA: It can be overwhelming at times, but that is why this community is so special. We really know how to rally around and support one another.
AB: Definitely. I seem to have at least one moment every season where I’m like, OK, I don’t know if I can do this anymore. Sometimes it’s moving for the 100th time, sometimes it’s parenting alone. What helps me get through these exhausting moments is reaching out to a friend from the community who I know will understand. That’s why it’s so important to me to make sure every woman in this game has someone to reach out to.
DD: The site has given so many baseball families the resources that they need during the season and off-season. Are there any new surprises coming to the site for families and followers to look forward to?
LA: We are always trying to come up with new content and resources that we think will benefit the community. We have a few things we are working on but nothing we can really talk about just yet!
DD: For someone who is freshly in a relationship with a professional baseball player, what advice would you give them?
LA: Be adaptable. There are so many unknowns and things change quickly. Be able to go with the flow.
AB: Throw your planner in the garbage. Ha! But seriously, try not to plan things out too far in advance. Take it one day at a time and do your best to enjoy the ride.
DD: On a typical game day, what were the routines for you and your families? Were there ever any superstitions in your home on game day?
LA: We usually got to bed late, so we would sleep in a bit, get up and eat, maybe run a few errands, before kids we would do whatever we wanted and then after kids it was spending time with them and then depending on if we had one or two cars that season, I would take Rick to the field or he would leave around 1pm. I would head to the game around game time. As for superstitions he had a few common ones, like not stepping on the white lines on the field or he would use the same bat if he hit well or wear the same undershirt. He also said he always had to have seeds or gum in his mouth.
AB: Sleep in (since we were up until at least 1am), eat and hangout, go swimming or do something else outside, take the boys to the field (my son goes with hi most days), come back and do a workout with my daughter, get ready for the game and then show up LATE haha. I’ve only been superstitious during playoff runs. I remember when we were in Missoula and we won the first night, then lost the second night and I realized we were sitting in different seats. The rest of the series I made my kids sit in the same seats as the first night and then we won the championship!
DD: With COVID-19, the baseball season is currently up in the air and many are greatly affected by this. You’ve teamed up with More Than Baseball to help support MiLB families, how can one help alongside you all?
AB: Yes! We are trying to raise as much money as possible to help as many minor league players and families as possible. People can donate directly to the fund through the end of May. They can also purchase a “Safe at Home” shirt. All of that information is on our homepage at ourbaseballlife.com
You can find more information on Our Baseball Life on their website, Twitter and Instagram. As said before, this site is truly a blessing to so many baseball families. As a baseball fan and writer, I personally love seeing all the amazing work these ladies are doing and have even purchased a “Safe at Home” shirt myself to help aid families in need. Thankful that Dugout Dish has the opportunity to spread the word and promote such an amazing site.
(Photos courtesy of Our Baseball Life via Instagram)
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