Travel Tournament Essentials

Travel ball days are a full commitment, and if you have done even one weekend you know it is all about being prepared. This post covers the things that live in our car, make it to the field, and end up in the hotel room by the end of the day. It is the stuff that keeps everyone comfortable, organized, and sane from the first game to the last, because when you are bouncing between locations, having the right essentials makes the whole weekend run a lot smoother.

Start Packing The Car...

• The must have ballpark bag - YETI Camino 20 Carryall with Internal Dividers, All-Purpose Utility Bag

• The cooler that stays in the car for big lunches and backup beverages - RTIC 22 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler with Handle, Hard Insulated Portable Ice Chest Box for Beach, Drink, Beverage, Camping, Picnic, Fishing, Boat, Barbecue

• The cooler that travels field to field in the wagon - YETI Hopper M Series Portable Soft Coolers with MagShield Access

• Snack containers are a must, we pack one for the adults and one for each kid, they end up sharing with their teammates... while most people would put fruit, veggies, and healthy things we love to pack ours with candy and water packets! - Snackle Box Container with Lid- Travel Charcuterie Box with Handle - Organizer for Candy, Fruit, Nuts, Veggies, Snacks, Beach Essentials, Portable Lunch Box (Blue, Large)

• We put a lot of thought into our chairs, you do a lot of sitting from during the game to the breaks in between, ours must rock, have a cup holder, and have a carrying strap that doesn't have a bag - GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Rocker Outdoor Rocking Chair with Beverage Holder

• Especially with our oldest playing baseball you often are in facilities with no room for your chairs and you need a bleacher option, I don't personally like the big backpack ones, I want to throw it over my shoulder and not whack every person as I walk in - VIVOHOME Stadium Seats with Back Support and Cushion, 2 Pack Portable Bleacher Chairs with Cup Holder and Shoulder Strap

• We avoid having to use the tent whenever possible but it is crazy how much better it feels when you can get out of the sun and even better when you have somewhere to go during a rain delay, this one packs small and is only 10x10 and we love the gray color - CROWN SHADES 10x10 Pop Up Canopy with 1 Side Wall - Beach Tent with One Push Setup - Outdoor Sun Shade for Events, Parties, Camping - Gazebo with STO-N-Go Cover Bag (Grid Grey)

• We are lucky that everyone is old enough to pack their own bags for overnight tournaments so we have learned that everyone has their own bag to carry, the back of the car looks crazy but it makes getting there and ready in a hotel that much easier, everyone has their own color and the girls and I love this bag - Weekender Bags for Women,Personal Item Travel Bag with Shoes Compartment,Overnight Travel Duffel Bag with Wet Pocket and Separate Toiletry Bag,Gym Bag

On Our Wishlist...

Even the most veteran travel ball parents have a wishlist of products that they have seen other happening parents use or social media pressured them into wanting and we are no different... Here are our wishlist items that may or may not be already in the Amazon cart...

• We don't have a double decker wagon yet and every time we see one out in the wild we swoon - this one has the best color to not get lost in the crowd and I love the side "basket" - Sekey 500LBS Heavy Duty Double Decker Wagon with Extender, 400L Large Capacity Collapsible Garden Cart Fits 10x10 Canopy, All-Terrain Big Wheels with Brakes, Foldable Utility Wagon for Sports, Camping

• This has been on my wishlist since traveling to a tournament with just me and one kid, I didn't need a tent but it would have been wonderful to have something to block the sun, this may get purchased this year for when its just us two spectating - Wondershade Ultimate Portable Sun Shade Umbrella, Lightweight Adjustable Instant Sun Protection - Navy

My best kept secret...

We pack this organizer for the car for easy access to all the snacks (that don't need a cooler), extra clothes, cold weather accessories, and all the THINGS! What makes it wonderful is the handles, we just pick it up and drop it in the wagon and off we go! I saw a mom use a laundry basket and I needed to step it up!

We call it the ballpark blanket...

This blanket has saved us from wet bleachers, itchy grass, and northern Indiana winds... its a must have to keep in the car for no matter what happens at the ball park...