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With 2 On The Field And 1 In The Booth, Family Stays Together In Lacrosse

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's a family affair in the sport of lacrosse -- that's what happens when two brothers play on the varsity team, while their younger brother calls their games for a webcast.

Lacrosse is a sport that seems contagious, as the Shogren family can attest -- they have two brothers on the Minneapolis varsity team.

"It's the first time it's happened, that my two older ones have played together," father Mike Shogren said. "The sophomore gets to live off passes from the senior."

Besides the two brothers on the field, a third is in on the action, too. Billy Shogren, 12, serves as the play-by-play commentator for the team's webcasts. Billy says he isn't sure how it all started -- his dad just asked him to call the games one day, and it seemed like a good idea.

But the sibling rivalry doesn't stay off the field and out of the webcasts. Billy says he can sometimes be harsh on his older brothers in the play-by-play.

"When he drops the ball, I kind of make fun of him sometimes," Billy said of his brother Nat.

The commentary isn't lost forever in the live stream, it stays with the game video and even makes its way into the locker room when the team is reviewing film.

"It kind of works as a motivator for me," Nat said. "Because I know if I mess up, I'll never hear the end of it."

Billy is also serving an interested audience, as the boys' grandparents are on either coast. They'll often tune in to see their grandchildren play lacrosse, and hear Billy make the calls.

But all three brothers say the game is really all about family.

"It's one of the greatest experiences I've ever had," Bobby Shogren said. "I'm never really going to get an experience like it again."

One day Billy will step out onto the booth and onto the field, which he says is still his favorite part of the game.

"I think I like playing more," he said. "It depends on what kind of game it is, but I definitely think I like playing more."

For now, the brothers say the season has been a blast, especially while sharing it with their family.

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