Bush League

Lacrosse’s path from being a sport played by Native American tribes to the rapidly growing modern day game - a sport played by an estimated 800,000 youth players in the US alone, is an incredible journey that tells a larger story about the people whom originated and played it. We'll look at it through the lens of an early American painter and pioneer who came across the sport at each turn in his travels across the American frontier.

In America, using the word "football" normally doesn't lead to much confusion. But in other countries, there are many types of "football," which are called football codes. Each of these codes have their own professional leagues with specializes athletes. But what happens when an athlete decides to leave one football code and try their hand at another? These are called football code converts, and in this episode we'll go around the world, and through history, to examine this unique phenomenon. All of the music heard in this episode comes from the Sounds Like and Earful studios.

For 30 years, a sports rivalry split the Cleveland Irish community so deep that some considered it a kind of civil war. In this episode, we examine what happens when having one team isn't enough for Cleveland's gaelic football community. You'll hear what the players say about the moment when this rivalry spanning 30 years, culminated on the sport's biggest stage, and the surprising story of what happens after.    

In this bonus episode, we explore the other side of the hero vs villian wrestling story arc staple and hear from Joshua Singh as he discusses match preparation, performing acrobatic aerial moves and what's at the top of his wrestling bucket list. Please make sure to listen to the episode titled, The Heel, prior to beginning this one. Featured Track: Bring Me Night by Dienst & Schulter

This week's episode comes with a challenge. In these divisive times, can you accept all sports as equal? Can you do away with the pre-conceived notions that needlessly isolate us from people with strikingly similar athletic passions and desires? Featured tracks: Drone Thistle by Blue Dot Sessions Two Dollar Token by Blue Dot Sessions Fantasy Trashwave by Tobacco You're So Very Far Away by Clem Leek  

On this bonus episode, we'll hear more from Ryan Bahl, hockey's global nomad. Listen as he describes a second trip to the Falkland islands and some surprising signage at the Serbian ice rinks. Feature track: Ladies Take Me With You by Doctor Turtle    

Ryan Bahl is an American hockey player who's stepped foot on ice rinks in six different continents. Hear what it was like to play, and live, in a few exotic locations and listen as he explains what he's doing to be the first person to play on all seven continents. Featured tracks: Mi Plato De Barro by Chicha Libre The Soul of Mbira by Pavel Dovgal

In this episode you'll hear more from Mickey Wilson. We talk about how he choose to pursue slacklining full time, additional benefits of the sport, and more. Make sure that you listened to our last episode, Slackline Destiny, before starting this one. Featured track: Lick Skillet by Radio Moscow

Mickey Wilson is a professional extreme athlete and slackliner. His slacklining skills were tested in a dramatic and unepected way on the ski slopes last winter. https://mickey4point0.com/ https://www.gibbon-slacklines.com/en/ Featured Tracks: Pinebender by Made of Oak Je Suis Le Vent by Working for a Nuclear Free City

In 2015, Newton Baker became the second oldest person to cross the US on foot while participating in the Race Across the USA. The race started on his 73rd birthday. Featured tracks: The Yumato Spring by Odeko Calm Morning by the Sounds Like and Earful Studio Mellow Harmonics bythe Sounds Like and Earful Studio Drums and Percussion Solo by Gareth Brown and Leo Di Angilla

Each year thousands of Americans sign contracts to play basketball in countries outside of the United States. But most American fans never see past the NBA into this larger basketball machine. In this episode we speak with two people in this industry to hear what it's really like to play basketball abroad. Featured Tracks: Good Places by RUMTUM Suzhou by Shinamo Moki The Next Afternoon by Mr. Carmack Below the Alpine by Celadon City

Lake surfing is a radically different experience than catching waves along a sunny tropical beach. Ed Russo is uniquely qualified to provide insight on what exactly makes it so special. All music created by The Sounds Like An Earful Studio. SoundsLikeAnEarful.com

Meisam Rafei is an Olympic Taekwando competitor who faced an unexpected opponent when attempting to enter the US for a tournament in January 2017. Featured Tracks: Chaharmezrab Abu'ata by Siavosh Zendegani, Fazlollah Tavakol, Jahhangir Malek 9 Studies: No. 1 Allegro agitato by Charles Auguste De Beriot The Pursuit of Perfection - Ralf Kemper, Mark Joggerst

Welcome to Bush League. Compelling audio stories from the sports. NEW SEASON STARTS 6.5.17. Featured Track: Mountain Ash - Sonos Sanctus/Sounds Like An Earful All music contained on this Creative Commons Share-Alike album written and recorded by Sono Sanctus (aka Wesley Slover). Find out more about Sono Sanctus and his commercial sound design work at www.sonosanctus.com soundslikeanearful.com