protect my heart

1

c h r i s t i a n

BASEBALL SEASON. A season that everyone looks forward to. The amazing weather, sunshine, the fine sound of the crack of the bat, a ball hitting the catcher's mitt, and winter was finally over. I know I looked forward to this, but this season was bittersweet.

I was entering my last season of baseball, ever. I didn't think I would be saying it so early in my life. I'm only in my thirties and experiencing what I have in just a short span of time is something that not everyone really goes through.

Nadia and I were coming up on our third wedding anniversary. I know. Three whole years. I can't believe it either. Wyatt was turning five, and little Willow had just turned two. They are growing up way too fast. But with them growing up before my eyes, I realized that I didn't want to miss anything with my children because I'm gone for baseball. They've seen me play hundreds of times, they've gone through dealing with me being gone for days or weeks at a time. I didn't think it was fair to them, and I knew my body was telling me it's time to take a step back and really relax. Several injuries that held me back, family injuries or issues that have occurred, you name it, it's probably happened.

It was time for me to hit the plate one last time in a Brewers uniform and hope for a World Series win. Winning last year was amazing. Earned me another MVP title and it was just a thrilling feeling to bring the title back home and be able to call myself a World Series winner. I celebrated by taking my kids to Disney World, honestly. If Super Bowl winners can go to Disney, can't I too?

***

I loved being able to bring my family with me to spring training. Now that Willow was old enough to be running around, we really were able to do more as a family and able to travel more. The two kids loved Arizona. I don't blame them, it's such a beautiful state and Phoenix is so nice especially when we're wanting to escape the Milwaukee cold.

"Where we go, daddy?" Willow asked me, holding my hand as we walked through the halls towards the clubhouse.

"I gotta go get my stuff on for practice, princess! You get to come with me." I smile, walking into the clubhouse with her.

Some of the guys were already sitting in the clubhouse chatting amongst one another and looked over, all shouting when I walked in.

"Yeli! You brought our favorite bat-girl!" Lo commented, walking over by us. Willow giggled, hiding behind my leg. Even though she's known these guys for two years, she still would get shy and nervous.

"I did! She wanted to come see everyone." I replied, picking her up. It was weird not to see Ryan's kids running around Phoenix anymore since he had retired his number last season, but I am sure that my kids and the others can liven up the clubhouse.

He nodded, "Awesome. Wyatt with mom?" Lo asked, I nodded in response, "How are they liking Phoenix?"

"I mean, Wyatt loves it every year, but I think this is Willow's first year she actually gets to experience it and really kind of understand what's going on, right, bug?" I kiss Willow's cheek before she lays her head on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I got my kiddos with me. But they're with the wife, none of them wanted to come with me today." He chuckles, "Glad we got at least one bat-girl here to help us out." He poked Willow's stomach and she just giggled.

I sat Willow down on a chair in front of my cubbie and looked at her, "You stay right there, okay? I gotta go change super fast! Don't move!" I kiss her head before going into a separate room to change. Once I got myself all changed into practice clothes, I walked back and smiled at Willow, "Look at you! Didn't move once!"