WAGS Work: Natalie Martino
The WAGS Work Series aims to show our readers that we are more than the stereotypes you might be familiar with--we're creative, hard-working, driven, and willing to do whatever it takes to make this lifestyle work. We also hope to inspire women in all walks of life to get creative and think outside the box when it comes to working and creating the lives of their dreams. Please reach out to the women featured in this series if you have questions or want to learn more about what they do.
TELL US WHO YOU ARE, HOW YOU GOT INTO THE BASEBALL WORLD, AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND.
My name is Natalie Martino, my husband is Bo Martino, MiLB pitching coach for the LA Angels! We live in a small town called Lufkin, TX which is about 2 hours north of Houston. We have 2 boys, Bauer (3) & Baker (6 weeks)! We have been married nearly 8 years and have been in baseball since he played in college! He coached college baseball for 6 years before we made the switch to MiLB.
TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR JOB, WHAT DO YOU DO, AND HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN WERKIN’ IT.
I work for Lufkin ISD as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. I have a Masters in athletic training & have been a certified athletic trainer for 6 years now. In my current position I work primarily on our middle school campus & help when I’m needed at the high school. My duties are to provide sports medicine coverage for all middle school athletes. During the school year my day starts with morning treatments at 7:30 and ends around 5pm on non game days. If it is a game day, I work till the game is over! I do not travel with any teams and only cover home games.
The best part about my job is that my administration is family friendly and understands I am a baseball wife. If my kids get sick or I don’t have childcare, they just tag along with me to work. I usually have a middle school or high school girl willing to hold a baby for me.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR WORK AND LIVING THE BASEBALL LIFE?
Because my job is in sports too, balance can be hard. My job is in demand from August-May and I have to be very organized with child care and what’s going on at home. I usually have my mom or mother-in-law scheduled to watch the kids months in advance when I get my sports schedules.
The best part about my job is that I’m off for spring break and all summer long. Meaning we get to travel with my husband while he is working!
HOW DID FINDING THIS JOB IMPACT YOUR LIFE PERSONALLY, AND FOR THE TWO OF YOU?
Because we need me to work financially, finding this job has been a life saver. Most athletic training jobs have very long hours and are not very flexible. Because I’m at a middle school, my hours are more relaxed and not as crazy as my coworkers at the high school. It has really helped my husband and me because I am able to be more present at home when I need to be.
WHAT’S A TYPICAL WORKDAY LIKE FOR YOU?
A typical work day starts with treatments from 7:30-8:00am. 7th grade athletics runs from 8-9am and 8th grade athletics is from 3:00pm-4:00pm. I have lots of flexibility in the middle of the day. I get all my paperwork done for work & run any errands I need to do for the house in between athletic periods.
We have after school practices till 5pm if there isn’t a game!
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WAGS WHO ARE TRYING TO BALANCE BASEBALL WITH THEIR OWN GOALS?
Don’t settle for less than that what you want! Your dreams don’t work unless you do. It is not always easy being the one who has to keep the house running while working and balancing everything. But it is always worth it!!
WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOB? WHAT’S THE BEST?
The late nights 2-3 times a week, when my husband is still gone for his season in early September is the hardest. I would rather be home with my kids because my husband is still gone working too. But the overlap is a short few weeks and the kids don’t really notice it, even if it bothers me.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT BEING A WAG/BASEBALL LIFE?
Baseball life is hard but it is fun and so rewarding! I also love how our kids are growing up in this life, they get to experience so much!
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE / HOW CAN WE KEEP UP WITH YOU?
Facebook: Natalie Martino
Instagram: @travelingbaseballwife
