Lifelong friendships are often formed on the field of youthful athletics. Very few people understand this fact better than our Team Mom of the Week, Michelle Barber. Friendship and communication are two of the core competencies Michelle teaches to her son, Joshua, and to her baseball teams, the Jackson Red Dogs and the Jackson 8th Grade Legion.

Michelle was instrumental in the finding of the Red Dogs, a boys baseball team from Jackson, MO. Whether she was setting lineup cards, recording scores, providing first aid, making "deals" for bubble gum, or keeping track of all things statistical-- she was a perpetual presence in the Red Dog's's dugout. Since then, her son and the rest of the team have moved on to the Jackson 8th Grade Legion, a local travel team.

It's borderline astonishing that Michelle has been so successful with her Team Mom duties considering her schedule. She's a full-time mom of two, a powerhouse on her local church's softball team, and an accomplished pianist and artist. Michelle is a self-proclaimed 'organizational freak', which translates very well when it comes to the Legion's stat sheet. Suffice it to say, everybody's batting average is correct.

Q: What's your favorite part about using Weplay?

Michelle: "It is the fastest & easiest way to communicate with the team whether it's about the schedule, finding a field, or organizing a BBQ. It is the best way to share photos. The kids really enjoy getting props from their coaches and teammates. The parents love having the information at their fingertips & seeing the pictures of their kids."

This one's for you, Michelle. You're a great example of a Team Mom and a mentor for all of us. Way to go!

Michelle's 3 Pointers For Other Team Moms:

1: Be your child's biggest fan! Encouragement is key!

2: Get to know the other parents & players off the field. Open communication is crucial to success both on and off the field.

3: Take lots of pictures! These times are precious and won't last forever!