I am from shin guards, chest protectors and a catcher's mask in the 90 degree weather.

catching back to back softball games,

screaming, smiling, smirking after each win.

From hours in the green grass with my dad.

Playing catch, hitting into the bow net, fielding grounders and pop flys

while he tells me, “hands to the ball” or “keep your weight back” or “two hands.”

I was annoyed at the time thinking, he just tells me the same things over and over.

I am from Saturdays and Sundays watching the Brewers, college, and professional football.

My parents, brother, and me in the basement watching games on the 72 inch TV,

alternating from baseball to football, baseball to football.

From 16 hour car rides with the back filled to the top as my dad can barely see out the back window.

My brother and I in the backseat fighting over what movie to watch next,

“I don’t want to watch that stupid movie” my brother would say.

“Your movie isn’t any better” I’d say, but somehow he usually won the movie battle.

I am from my parents giving me the same, stupid speech when I leave the house.

“Don’t be stupid,” “let me know what you're doing,” “be home by 11,”

“yep, okay, will do” I say back to them as I ignored most of what they just told me.

From the work put in at Wisconsin Barbell in the summer and after school.

The bar on my back with 300 pounds,

as I feel like it is crushing my spine and I’m going to collapse.

All I think about is Glen telling me, “big air, chest up, explode.”

And now, I am from a fielders mask, double braids, and a white tie headband.

Playing third base in back to back softball games,

Screaming, smiling, smirking after each win.