How much time!

Never looked at it as taking away from work--- made sure things were arranged for game time and the boss knew about it-- what boss isnt happy to have a worker who cares about what his kids are doing---it is not like Dad is hanging out at the corner bar

I have had four to four 1/2 weeks off/year for vacation and at least 3/4 of that has gone for baseball every year. I'm starting a new job next week and one of the things that I explained I had to have was the eight days this spring I already have scheduled off for baseball. I got 'em!!

Baseball has been our entertainment, vacation, and major recreation for most of my kid's lives.... whether that be son's baseball or another baseball related trip. Wouldn't change a thing if I could go back!

What have I done with my remaining days of vacation.... volleyball!

When I receive my son’s hs baseball schedule, I request the time off. I use 1.5 hours a day on game days. I might have to use a whole day now and then for out of town tournaments or state playoffs. I guess it ends up to about 50 hours. I will not change jobs because I know I would not be able to do this at a new job; unless it would be discussed before I hire on like LAFMOM. I have been with the same employer for 27 plus years, so hopefully they would not deny my request. I would use my 4 weeks vacation on watching my son play baseball if I had to. It is sad to say, but there are kids whose parents never, ever show up for a game; not even on the weekends.

I've always looked at it as not how much time off work but rather how much extra time on the my "real job" I've been able to spend with my kids. I'm fortunate that I've been at the same job 25 years and I have more vaca than I can use and thanks to the internet have developed my work that is easily manipulated around other times during the day or night. While my "kid time" may have held me back in my career, it has allowed me piece of mind that my priorities are in order, and those priorities have no price tag or rate per/hr. It's also kept me out of extra-citicular situations that may have affected my income producing job.

Isn't it easier to appreciate that 8 hour job when you go there with an good attitude because you spent a couple hours of quality time with the kids.

Oh how great it is to have faculty status at a university. In at 7 AM, teach classes, done by 2. I'll only miss about 3 mid-week road games.

Great Thread

My Boss and co-workers now when spring time comes.....Iam in.......Iam out of to the ballpark.


You all have to admit, time off of work becuse of baseball is the best excuse to escape the work matrix. I mean come on playing catch with the kids while everyone else is at work. "PRICELESS"

When I was "gainfully employed outside the home", scheduling time for baseball was a priority for me. I was fortunate that for the majority of our son's younger days, I was not working outside the home, so my 'supervisor' was very understanding. The couple of jobs I had while he was in high school had very flexible times and I was able to some of my work at home to accomodate the away time. In his entire baseball career (pre-pro) I missed one A-ball game due to surgery, no high school games, and while he was in college, I missed one series his first year, and a series in Hilo his junior year.

No wonder I am tired ... but oh so very happy.

I own my own business (health club) so I can adjust my schedule accordingly. I feel very fortunate.

My sons' have 41 college games, plus a tournament; season starts starting tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. At present I have my schedule rigged so I can make each and every one; the closest is 1 hour away, most are about three and a half hours.

My not-so-tongue-in-cheek line has been that if I can make it to summer without getting disbarred, sued for malpractice, or have my staff walk out, I'll be a happy camper.

I work nights, its great for HS games.
But my vacation is booked
For this Spring, every Friday.
EH

With faxes, laptops, the internet, etc it's so easy to work outside the office you hardly have to miss any work at all.

I don't count - because the time at the ball park is priceless...

I have it very easy. I am self employed and arrange my days around the schedule. The worst day at the ball field is much better then the best day at work! Today I am leaving work at 2 pm (CA time) to drop equipment to son then take in a couple of innings at a local JC. Great way to start the weekend.

Working for yourself has its advantages! With a laptop, cell phone, and blackberry, I can work anywhere anytime - if I need to. When it comes to watching the kids I try to do it before and after.

I am also self employed and was going to answer the occupations thread, but I'll do a two for one answer. As a GM of a mortgage and real estate company, I also schedule my meetings and training around my kids schedules without fail...but with blackberry/cell phone in tow, I am more often than I woulod like, in left field away from the crowd, taking calls and putting out office fires. Drives my wife crazy, but I have never missed a game. Sometimes you have to compromise and improvise.