What a Walk-Off Baseball Debut Taught Me About Not Giving Up on Fertility (Even When You Want to Quit)
Ever watched a rookie clinch a victory and thought, 'That should be me'?
If you caught the news this week, you'll know what I'm talking about: Cole Young, in his very first major league baseball game for the Seattle Mariners, picked up a walk-off win in the bottom of the 11th inning (watch it here). Yep, his debut—where pressure and stakes were sky-high—ended in the kind of jaw-dropping victory you see in movies. As someone deep in the trenches of trying to conceive, I couldn't help but see myself in his story. Sounds dramatic? Maybe—but hear me out.
The Unexpected Parallels Between Baseball and Baby-Making
You prep. You research. You psych yourself up. And then, sometimes, you strike out. Whether you’re on the field or peeing on ovulation sticks at 6AM, the feelings are powerfully similar: anticipation, hope, fear of another letdown.
What struck me most about Cole’s epic walk-off wasn’t just the underdog glory—it was that he kept swinging, right up to his final at-bat. How many times have you felt like giving up after a negative test, or another "maybe next month"? I know I have. If you’re reading this, you probably have, too.
The 11th Inning Moments on the Fertility Journey
Cole Young’s story is basically the manifestation of the 11th inning—when you’re exhausted, questioning yourself, maybe even jealous of everyone who's "scored" except you. Your friends’ pregnancy announcements? Ouch. Another round of clomid or another appointment you can barely afford? Even worse.
But here's the thing: it’s often just when you think the game is lost that something totally unexpected happens. That’s not just sports cliché. Sometimes, it’s your turn to win—when you least expect it.
Finding Your Winning Strategy: Why At-Home Solutions Are Changing the Game
Let’s be real: clinics can be intimidating, expensive, and emotionally draining. When I first started down the fertility rabbit hole, I had no idea how many options existed outside the doctor’s office. That’s why, when I stumbled across innovative at-home insemination kits from companies like MakeAMom, it felt like discovering a whole new playbook.
Maybe you’ve heard about them—a reusable kit you can use in the privacy of your own home, tailored for different needs like low sperm motility or conditions like vaginismus. No more awkward waiting rooms, no more explaining your journey to a parade of strangers. And, for many of us, a real shot when the odds feel stacked against us.
Some key facts that gave me hope: - MakeAMom reports a 67% success rate using their home insemination systems - Kits are reusable (so less waste, yay for your wallet AND the planet) - Discreet shipping. Because the world doesn’t need to know your business
Those aren’t just nice-to-haves. Sometimes, they’re lifelines in your 11th inning, helping you step up to the plate one more time.
Why We Need More Walk-Off Stories in the TTC Community
Sharing the good, the bad, and the "I cannot believe this just happened" moments is what gets us through. Seeing someone’s “walk-off win”—pregnancy announcement or not—can reignite hope when you’re running on fumes.
If you’re feeling stuck, here’s my advice, for what it’s worth:
- Celebrate every little win. Ovulated for the first time in months? That’s a home run.
- Try a new approach. Sometimes, breaking free from clinic routines and trying an at-home kit might just be your game-changer.
- Find your team. Join online forums, read real stories, share your own. Even when you feel alone, you are not the only one fighting for your family.
Like Cole Young, you might not know when your big break is coming. But if you keep stepping up, keep swinging (even after a hundred failed tries), you give yourself another shot at the win. In my case, I found hope by taking the process home, on my own terms—and I’m rooting for you to find yours, too.
Your Turn to Step Up to the Plate
It’s easy to look at someone else’s big moment and think, “Why not me?” But remember: you don’t see the innings they played before the spotlight. Your own walk-off could be right around the corner—maybe with the help of a personalized at-home solution, or maybe in a way you never expect.
So, what’s your 11th inning move? Have you tried at-home insemination, or have a story that kept you in the game? Drop a comment below—let’s celebrate every swing, every setback, and every step closer to our own version of a walk-off win.
You are not out. Not even close. Let’s play on. ⚾👶