A week ago today, I traded emails with Nate Devine, of Team USA (and moderator of the most popular Fastpitchwest Forum section “The Rumor Mill”) and wished him luck at the World Cup. I told him that I wish I could be there to broadcast the games, writing:

“Sorry I can’t be there to call it, but it goes something like this: ‘A high towering drive to left…….’ You know the rest. “

I smiled as I read the report on the USA’s Game 3 tonight:

An exclamation point was added in the sixth inning after Devine led off with a monster home run that cleared the trees in left field that gave the U.S. a comfortable 4-1 advantage.

I guess anyone that’s seen him swing it saw that one coming. (including those who saw the game-tying blast in last year’s ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario) You know the Devine One is smiling tonight……

Before he left town, we hit Nate with “20 Questions”, give or take. Seems like a good night to roll out his responses:

Q. How old are you?
A. 30

Q. When did you start playing fastpitch?
A. Age 14 in city leagues in Sonora, ca

Q. Who got you started?
A. My dad played and I always went to the games. When I got older I was on the sideline and when guys didn’t show up I got in.

Q. Where do you reside?
A. Merced, Ca

Q. When did you first get involved with Team USA?
A. This year

Q. How did you first learn that you had made the team?
A. By email

Q. How did you feel about that?
A. It was awesome. I have wanted to play for my country since about 2002 when my baseball career had ended earlier that summer.

Q. Who was the first person you told you had made the team?
A. I think Porto called me right after I got the email. Then I called my mom.

Q. Who on TEAM USA do you admire most?
A. Adam Lalonde

Q. What ISC World teams have you played for in the past?
A. Team Rainey, So Cal Bombers

Q. What ASA Major teams have you played for in the past?
A. None

Q. What ISC World teams will you play for in 2007?
A. So Cal Bombers

Q. What ASA Major team will you play for in 2007?
A. None

Q. Have you competed in any tournaments for Team USA ?
A. No

Q. What was your best individual performance in fastpitch?
A. MVP and Offensive Player of the 2002 NAFA. Game tying homer in the bottom of the 7th last year at the ISC was cool too.

Q. When do you leave to CZ?
A. June 15

Q. Where are you flying from?
A. Fresno to JFK to Prague

Q. Are you travelling with any of the other players?
A. No

Q. How long will you be gone for ?
A. 10 days I think

Q. Have you ever been to Europe?
A. Never

Q. What do you imagine CZ is like?
A. Everyone I talk to says it’s a great place. I’m really excited. It seems really historic.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish in CZ?
A. A Gold Medal

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 9:23 pm and is filed under ISF, Players. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.