TEAM USA CONTRIBUTES TO GUAM SOFTBALL

By Patrick Lujan

Bubba Nickles’ visit to Guam has come with not only her presence and the desire to share her knowledge of softball to our island, but a load of softball supplies courtesy of Team USA.

During the planning of the trip, Bubba’s supportive dad Ted worked with both Team USA and UCLA in hopes of bringing merchandise to Guam. Both entities delivered with Team USA coming up even bigger than anticipated.

Knowing that Bubba will be conducting a softball clinic for the first time in her rooted island, the national team threw in four dozen practice balls used at the recent World Series, five slightly used bats valued at over $300 each, a brand new set of catchers gear and a couple of brand new gloves.

The equipment will go towards the building of Guam’s Women’s National Softball Team headed by Keith Hattig and Benjie Pangelinan.

“This is incredible,” said Hattig, who formed the inaugural APL fastpitch softball league. “We were just excited that Bubba was coming and that our girls will be able to take in her knowledge and get inspired by a world class athlete with Guam roots. Knowing that through Bubba, Team USA was gracious enough to donate some gear to Guam…that is beyond our expectations. A big thank you to Team USA!”

Ted Nickles worked behind the scenes with Chris Sebren of Team USA to acquire the equipment for the trip.

“We’re so appreciative that the Nickles family worked this out for us with Team USA,” Team Guam’s Pangelinan said. “This will definitely be put in good use in our efforts to build a strong women’s national team. We thank Bubba, her family and Team USA for this and we hope this is just a start of a strong bond in the future.”

Guam Softball got a boost from USA Softball with a bag full of donated gear! Guam softball’s Keith Hattig (left), Bubba Nickles (middle), and Benjie Pangelinan (right) pose in front of the donated gear!