Labeled, “Super Mom”, Carol Lopez, mother of two on the go daughters, is Weplay’s Team Mom of the week. A single parent from Clermont, FL, Lopez does everything she can to assist daughters, Nathalie, 14, and Jasmine, 9, succeed in school and on the field.
So four years back, when Lopez’s youngest daughter Jasmine (then 5) joined a recreational softball league she knew she wanted to jump in and help out. Lopez was pleased at the opportunity to help her daughter and her teammates succeed, but understood the sometimes precarious issues that can arise between parents, coaches and players in a sports environment. But no matter the challenge or issue over her four year tenure, Lopez was loyal to the team.
While she enjoyed the extra time spent with her daughter, she wrote that she found great value in connecting with the other parents and coaches that dedicated their time to the team. So when Jasmine decided to join a travel team, Lopez, again took on the team mom role. But not long after, the team split up, leaving Jasmine team less.
Leave it to our Team Mom to leverage her outstanding networking skills to connect Jasmine’s old recreational coach with the travel team organization they briefly worked with. As she states, her excellent administrative skills, learned on the job with Zerochaos gave her the confidence and skill set to make things happen. In no time, Jasmine, the old rec team coach and Lopez started a new travel team, the Winter Gardens Diamonds 8U.
The Diamonds just completed their first spring together. Thanks to an experienced coach and team mom, the Diamonds had a shinning season. Of the 10 tournaments they played in, they placed 1st in four, and 2nd, 3rd and 4th in five others. To say the least, it was a successful first year run for everyone involved.
One of Lopez’s favorite experiences as a team mom this year, was when she was able to organize a tournament that required extensive traveling from the team and their families. She knew it would be a difficult task, and she worked diligently to provide a well-organized and FUN experience for all.
“We were able to really get to know each other [the team] and to me that was a rewarding experience, “ wrote Lopez. “To see all the families hanging out at the hotel pool and enjoying each other's company off of the fields was the best feeling.”
Lopez’s Advice for Fellow Team Parents:
Always try to be neutral. There will always be rifts amongst parents or even coaches. Whatever you do, don't take sides!
Connect with tournament directors and organizers. I start conversations with local and regional tournament directors. This has helped keep me in the know and best of all, they contact me for last minute tournaments.
Get to know the players. They are the ones that make the team. Know what they like and always tell them how special and great they are.
