Tori James, MML News Reporter
Sonora, CA – When the USA men’s fast pitch softball team plays for gold this summer in two international championships, Mother Lode residents will be able to cheer on one of their own at first base and outfield.
Nathan Devine, one of the 17 athletes and five Californians who won a team spot Jan. 10 at the men’s national team selection camp in Irvine, will compete at the 14th International Softball Federation World Softball Championship beginning June 26 in Saskatoon, SK, and at the Pan American games, which run July 12-26 in Toronto.
A native of Sonora and graduate of Sonora High School, Devine, who now lives in the Merced area, holds degrees from Merced College and University of LaVerne and serves as an assistant coach for the Merced College Blue Devils baseball team.
Team USA Head Coach Denny Burkert calls Devine, who has played on the team before “a solid asset” and a leader on and off the field. Burkert adds, “I think Nate’s best assets are that he’s a very good hitter. He doesn’t chase balls. He’ll take the walk if that’s what they offer to, you know, get on base…I’m really happy that Nate’s there…was one guy that I certainly wanted there.”
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Editor’s comment: One of the veterans on this club, Devine appears to be at the top of his game. Crushed the ball when I saw him at last year’s California Classic in San Diego, and the first thing I saw when I arrived at the USA Selection camp in Irvine last Saturday was a Devine home run landing 100 feet beyond the left field fence. With runs at a premium in ISF competition, Devine can get the USA back in the game with one swing of that sledgehammer.