More than just a game
Merced College assistant baseball coach Nate Devine spent two months traveling with the U.S. softball team.
By James Burns
July 27, 2007
Nate Devine pressed his face up against the cold bus window, and with eyes as big as softballs, peered out at a world he’s never known. He was nervous and a little scared, too, unsure of what lay in wait around the next corner. Softball never felt so serious and the police escort to Prague’s downtown ballpark wasn’t helping matters, either.
How would European fans welcome an American softball team? Would they hiss and boo?
Just to be sure, Devine shielded himself by tugging his cap down lowon his brow before trotting out onto the diamond.
Almost instantly, the stands erupted into a chorus of chants and cheers.
That’s odd, Devine thought, almost certain a local celebrity had just walked down the stadium steps behind him.
Then it hit him like a loose fastball — he was the celebrity.
And the police escort?
Merely a formality.
A capacity crowd of nearly 3,000 turned up in June to see Devine and the U.S. men’s softball team compete in the World Cup.
“And the (Czech) national team wasn’t even playing anymore,” the Merced College assistant baseball coach saidin a voice that suggested long-term awe.
“They were cheering for every good play, every big hit and every strikeout. Even trying to do the wave.
“It was like they didn’t even have a favorite team — they just loved the game.”
Devine and the Americans gave them quite a show, too, before eventually falling to Japan in the title game.
The Americans were given a similar response at the American Challenge Series in Oklahoma earlier this month.
The U.S. breezed to the inaugural title, avenging their loss to Japan in the championship game.
Devine was impressive in his first national team appearance on home soil, capping the title run with a walk-off single.
During Sunday’s tape-delayed telecast of a Series round-robin game, ESPN commentators described the 30-year-old Devine as the future of American softball.
“I would be lying if I told you I expected Nate to come through as big as he did,” U.S. coach Pete Turner said, “but I was well aware of his talent.
“I can’t speak enough about what Nate did for us. I think he definitely impressed our selection committee.”
Devine went 16 for 44 in two tournaments with 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
“It was sad to see it come to an end. I enjoyed being with the team and being able to see the world,” Devine said. “You get to see just how much the sport means to people.
“It’s been a crazy ride.”
It’s not over yet.
His club team beckons.
Devine will rejoin the Southern California Bombers this weekend in Canada for the Vancouver Challenge, one of North America’s largest and toughest draws.
The Bombers are ranked fourth in the world by the International Softball Congress.
The Challenge will serve as a final tuneup for August’s ISC World Tournament in Ontario, Canada.
Win or lose, it’s been a memorable run for the hard-hitting first baseman, who took up softball as a teenager “because my hometown didn’t offer summer baseball.”
His pocket-sized digital camera shows the wears of his jet-setting summer vacation.
The buttons are worn from use and the memory stick is filled with photos of people, teammates and rare buildings.
Memories frozen in time.
“I was the guy in Team USA gear with the camera, staring up at all the buildings with a huge smile on my face,” Devine said. “I must have taken like 400 pictures.
“If it weren’t for (the national team), I would have never had the chance to see Europe — to go to all these places.”
Prague, the jewel of the Czech Republic with its old-world customs and architecture, was second to none.
He had never seen anything like it before — not in Merced and certainly not in Sonora, where he was raised.
One moment, he was standing at the gates of Prague Castle, and the next, mingling with locals on the cobblestone streets of Wenceslas Square.
Devine signed autographs, played catch with local kids and even passed out equipment.
“Getting a chance to meet people from other countries and promote the sport, that was cool,” Devine said.
“And at the same time, with all the stuff going on in the world right now, it was nice to show that Americans weren’t bad people at all.”
Even off the field.
