Following most home games, many of the Brewers return to the clubhouse and prepare for a double header.

It's a private game that takes place amid the usual postgame activities. Taking part, more often than not, are players with familiar names. But while David Riske, Prince Fielder and Ben Sheets are among the contestants, the actual stars of these games are the players' kids.

Sportswriters and other media members duck out of the way of hard-hit line drives and errant bouncers, while the youngsters run the "bases," shouting with glee. It's a definite romper-room feel, at times, but one that manager Ned Yost thinks is an important part of his players' lives.

"These players are getting a little older and their kids are getting older," Yost says. "They're more able to appreciate it. This is a short period in their lives that is really, really special and I think it's important that they do get a chance to remember their dads playing in the major leagues and that they get a chance to enjoy the clubhouse atmosphere ... especially celebrating wins."

Playing catch with dad is considered a classic example of father-son bonding. For the Brewers with kids, it's also a time to have a little sense of normalacy ... even though there is not much that's normal about playing catch in a major-league locker room. 

For Riske, spending time with his sons -Maddox - is a special experience. As a young player working his way up to the majors, he saw the way his teammates interacted with their children.

"When I was coming up through the minor leagues, I couldn't wait to have a family and kids when you see other players come into the clubhouse with their kids. I always thought that was so special."

Now, Riske is usually seated at his locker after a Brewers victory, soft-tossing balls to his two sons, four-year-old Payton and two-year-old Maddox - as well as his teammates' kids. He keeps in contact with them while he's on the road and the family recently bought a Web cam, so they can see each other.

It helps him keep close, but it's still difficult at times. The travel demands of a big-league season makes Riske cherish the post-game time with his son's even more.

"To see the look on their faces when they come into the clubhouse," Riske says. "I look forward to that. It makes me want to win more because I know then my kids can come into the clubhouse after the game."

Brewers clubhouse manager Tony Migliaccio has a son of his own. He understands how important it is for the players to have their kids around, and brings Joel, 9, around from time-to-time during the summer. Spending even a little bit of time together playing catch on the field after a game, or just hanging out at dad's locker makes up for many missed school functions, sporting events and just the daily events of growing up.

"The kids grow up so fast, so we're very fortunate to have this window of time together that a lot of kids won't be able to experience," Migliaccio says. "It's hard to miss so much ... but Ned realizes how tough it is to be away and for these guys to have a little opportunity to be around their kids is really nice."

Ben Sheets is as big of a kid as they come and his son Seaver has been a mainstay in the Brewers' clubhouse for the last few years. The younger Sheets is a mirror-image of his father, especially on days when Ben pitches; Seaver's pint-sized Brewers jersey matches the one his father is wearing that day.

"There's a short window in life to do what we do," Sheets says. "A lot of times you think about the time you're missing, but a lot of times the kids wouldn't trade having you home every day for the opportunity to come play here."

Mike Cameron's kids just finished their school years and were in town to celebrate Father's Day. Before the Brewers' Saturday-evening game with Minnesota, Dazmon and Makhi Cameron were on the field chasing down fly balls and hanging out with their father's teammates.

It's tough to miss such a big portion of his kid's lives, so Cameron appreciates the organization's willingness to let the kids come out and play.

"I've been on the road the last few times on Father's Day, so it's kind of cool to have them around," Cameron says. "It's important because I don't get a chance to have that everyday life with them besides talking on the phone. It's always good to have them with you because it gives you a chance to see them grow."

There's no evidence to suggest that sons of major-leaguers automatically stand a better shot at making the pros, as well. But Yost says the experience gained - even in the children's early, formative years - makes for a good foundation should they grow up to play sports at any level, including the bigs.

Players like Prince Fielder, who grew up while his father played for the Detroit Tigers and Tony Gwynn Jr. were fortunate enough to experience the clubhouse atmosphere. When they finally made their major-league debuts, the intimidation factor wasn't nearly as great as it would be for some players.

"That's why they are the people and players they are today," Yost says. "They spent a lot of time in those clubhouses; it's not a foreign place to them. They understand what it's like and it's not intimidating in any way shape or form to them."

While the focus is on the dads for Father's Day, Riske is quick to credit the role his wife, Missy, plays in taking care of the family while he's on the road.

"She's the backbone of our family," he says. "Without her, I don't know what me and the kids would do."