Cleats in the Trunk

07/09/2026

https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/parents-fans-furious-puzzling-decision-make-high-school-baseball-far-more-dangerous

USA Baseball and NFHS will allow lighter bat drop weights of -4, -5, and -6 in high school baseball starting in 2028, sparking player safety concerns.

07/08/2026

⚾️ Hey baseball families… we want to hear from YOU! 🧢

The season may be winding down, but the baseball conversations don’t stop! ⚾️

👇 Tell us:
• What’s one piece of baseball gear your player can’t live without?
• What’s your best baseball hack, deal, or must-have item?
• What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started this journey?

At Cleats in the Trunk, we’re building a community of parents who love the game, love their players, and are always looking for ways to make baseball life a little easier. 🛻⚾️

❤️ Like the page
👍 Follow along for recipes, gear finds, and baseball tips
📲 Share with another baseball family who should be part of the team!

Let’s fill the dugout with ideas! ⚾️

07/08/2026

🍎 These Are a Few of My Favorite Things ⚾

Sometimes the best ballpark fuel is also the simplest.

When you’re racing from one game to the next, you don’t need fancy snacks. Keep your ice chest stocked with a few reliable favorites that your player can grab between games to help keep their energy up.

🍎 Apple
Naturally packed with carbohydrates for quick energy, plus fiber and hydration to help players stay fueled without feeling weighed down. My player prefers a whole apple that he can sink his teeth into over the pre-sliced variety. The bite and crunch can release tension stored in the jaws.

🥜 Peanut Butter
A great source of healthy fats and protein to help keep kids satisfied and provide longer-lasting energy during a long day at the ballpark.

🥪 Plain Ham & Cheese Sandwich on Wheat Bread
Simple, filling, and easy to eat. The ham provides protein for muscle recovery, the cheese adds calcium and protein, and whole wheat bread supplies complex carbohydrates to replenish energy.

⚾ Ballpark nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the foods kids actually enjoy eating are the ones they’ll reach for when they need them most.

What’s your player’s go-to between-game snack? 👇 Share it in the comments—you might give another baseball family a great idea!

🚗 CleatsInTheTrunk ⚾🍎🥜🥪

07/07/2026

07/07/2026

📖 Teach Me Tuesday: Baseball Edition

Today’s term: “Duck Snort” 🦆

No, it’s not something you’d hear while hunting! A duck snort is a soft bloop hit that barely falls between the infield and outfield for a single.

Some baseball historians believe the phrase became popular through the colorful vocabulary of coaches and broadcasters rather than having one identifiable inventor. It’s one of dozens of old-time baseball expressions that survived because they’re memorable and paint such a vivid picture.

⚾

07/07/2026

⚾️ The off-season is short… and for many families, it’s already here! 🛻

Now is the perfect time to score some great deals on Facebook Marketplace! 👀 Keep an eye out for rebounders, T-ball stands, bats, nets, and other training gear. Many families are cleaning out the garage, which means you can save big before fall ball or next season rolls around.

💡 Share your favorite way to save money on gear.

🏆 Train smarter. Spend less.

07/05/2026

🌶️ The salsa recipe I promised is finally here! ⚾❤️

Confession time…the hardest part of making this salsa isn’t chopping onions or juicing limes. It’s figuring out how to put my food processor together! 😂

I’ve had the same food processor for more than 17 years, and while it might be time for an upgrade, I’m a little sentimental. There’s something special about sticking with equipment and recipes that have stood the test of time.

This salsa has been a summer tradition in my family for over 20 years. Every year I make a big batch to share with my siblings, nieces, and nephews while we’re spending time together at the lake. ☀️🚤

It’s also the reason I have such a hard time buying mediocre salsa from the grocery store. Once you’ve had homemade, it’s tough to go back! 🌶️🍅

A few tips:
🧅 Use good-quality canned tomatoes.
🍋‍🟩 Fresh lime juice makes all the difference.
🌿 Don’t skimp on the cilantro.
🍍 Want to mix it up? Divide the batch in half. Keep one half as is. To tge other half, and add an extra jalapeño plus a small can of pineapple, including the juice, for an amazing sweet and spicy version!

⚠️ Fair warning: Buy LOTS of tortilla chips! This recipe disappears fast whenever friends and family are around.

I hope this recipe becomes a tradition for your family too. If you make it, come back and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear if you tried the pineapple version! ❤️

⚾🌶️ From my family to yours, happy snacking!

07/05/2026

🧨🔥 Mock Ceviche That Tastes Like Summer ☀️🦐

When it’s hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July, I start craving something light, refreshing, and packed with fresh lime flavor! 🍋‍🟩💥

🌊 I was first introduced to ceviche while vacationing with my family in San José del Cabo back in 2011. It was served poolside, and let me tell you… I was hooked after the first bite! 😍

Traditional ceviche is made by “cooking” sushi-grade shrimp or firm fish in fresh citrus juice instead of heat. The seafood is then mixed with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, cucumbers, and avocado.

🦐 While I love authentic ceviche, I’m more comfortable with shrimp that’s been throughly cooked. Sushi-grade shrimp id t readily available near me. This quick mock ceviche uses lightly cooked shrimp for the same fresh, bright flavor with a little extra peace of mind.

The best part? It comes together in just minutes! This recipe is completely customizable. Want more heat? Swap the mild pico for spicy or add chopped jalapenos. Hate cilantro? Leave it out. Want more cruch? Add chopped cucumbers. Want to combine flavors? try it with mango or pineapple.

🛒 What You’ll Need

🍋‍🟩 2–3 medium limes (about ½ cup fresh lime juice)
🦐 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
🧂 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
🍅 ¾ cup pico de gallo salsa
🌿 Fresh cilantro, chopped (about ⅓ cup, or to taste)
🥑 1 avocado, diced, sliced, or mashed for serving
🌽 Thick tortilla chips or crispy tostadas

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Bring about 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil.

2️⃣ Stir in the Old Bay Seasoning, then add the shrimp. Boil for about 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and fully cooked. Drain immediately and let cool.

3️⃣ While the shrimp cooks, juice the limes and chop the cilantro.
💡 Tip: Cilantro is much easier to chop when both the leaves and your knife are dry.

4️⃣ Coarsely chop the cooled shrimp and combine with:
• Fresh lime juice 🍋‍🟩
• Pico de gallo 🍅
• Chopped cilantro 🌿

5️⃣ Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 4 hours) to let the flavors come together.

6️⃣ Just before serving, top with fresh avocado and enjoy with sturdy tortilla chips or pile it onto crispy tostadas. 🥑🌽

💚 It’s cool, refreshing, packed with protein, and perfect after a long day in the sun.

💡 If you have leftover pico de gallo, lime juice, avocados and cilantro, you have all tge ingredients for a fresh guacamole. Just add a pinch of salt.

⚾ Have you ever tried ceviche? If so, tell me your favorite way to eat it!

🦐⚾🍋‍🟩

07/04/2026

🇺🇸⚾ Stars, Stripes & America’s Favorite Pastime ⚾🇺🇸

Long before backyard barbecues, fireworks, and ballpark hot dogs became summer traditions, baseball had already earned the nickname America’s Favorite Pastime. ❤️🤍💙

The game grew alongside our nation, bringing families, friends, and communities together for generations. From neighborhood sandlots to Major League stadiums, baseball has always been about more than the score. It’s about teamwork, perseverance, tradition, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

On this Independence Day, we’re thankful for the freedoms we enjoy, the heroes who made them possible, and the game that continues to unite us.

Whether you’re spending today at the ballpark, on the practice field, or simply tossing a ball around in the backyard, you’re part of a tradition that has connected Americans for well over a century.

Wishing you a safe, fun-filled, and memorable Fourth of July! 🇺🇸🎆⚾

Happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙