By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE CITY of Bago in Negros Occidental made another history – this time in the recently-concluded 2023 Junior League Softball (JLS) World Series in Kirkland, Washington.
Bago JLS pitcher Erica Arnaiz also made a formidable record of 85 strikeouts, the highest so far in World Series history.
T’was, indeed, an awe-inspiring mark borne out of seven straight games of Bago JLS in the World Series that necessitated the world to offer a grand salute to Arnaiz.
This is the very reason why the JLS is set to retire the No. 24 jersey of Arnaiz, a fitting move to honor this young Negrense softbelle.
Under JLS rules, to retire a certain number of the jersey, a player or pitcher must deliver at least 65 strikeouts. Arnaiz, a leftie, surpassed such.
With all humility, however, Arnaiz, in an ambush interview at the Capitol, simply said she couldn’t do it sans her teammates, especially their catcher.
Too, she said she’s flattered to be called a “Star Player” but stressed that theirs is a team. “I can’t do it alone.”
BEYOND PROUD
Bago City’s Mayor Nicholas Yulo, therefore, was beyond proud of their JLS team. He thanked the Department of Education (DepEd)-Division of Bago City and the Fuentes family for honing their girls to become world champions.
Bago is widely known as the “Boxing Capital” of the country after its very own pugilist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco captured the silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Aside from boxing, Bago is likewise billed as the “Football Capital” of Negros Occidental.
Arnis and swimming, too, are in their list of priorities when it comes to sports development.
“Softball,” Mayor Yulo, “was just like a freak accident.”
Through Rey Fuentes, Bago JSL, said the mayor, was only formed in 2019. Months after, their trainings were halted due to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
They didn’t expect to bounce back. But last year, the mayor disclosed, they won the bronze in the World Series.
ATTESTATION
“This year’s championship, therefore, is an attestation to our hardships, perseverance and persistence to realize our quest to conquer the world,” the mayor said.
“Our mission to breed the champions is already part of our tradition and heritage in Bago City. It’s a way of honoring our icon of sports program, the late mayor Manuel ‘Totay’ Torres,” he added.
“We owe him (Mayor Torres) a lot!” Mayor Yulo punctuated.
Moreover, he said, Bago City’s sports program is basic and intends to prepare young Bagoeños to become better citizens.
“But our mission doesn’t end in sports or education, rather we want to prepare them using their skills in their future navigation to a happy /better life,” clarified Yulo.
‘ADOPTED DAUGHTER’
On the other hand, Mayor Yulo admitted that Arnaiz ain’t a Bago native. She’s from Barangay Odiong, Moises Padilla town.
But when they spotted her in the Provincial Meet at Panaad in Bacolod in 2019, they got interested with her.
Bago offered Erica to be their scholar, and ultimately be an “adopted daughter” so she can focus on her training.
“And, she never failed us,” the mayor stressed.
Arnaiz, said Mayor Yulo, delivered more than what is expected of her.
With this latest win, the mayor said, they would welcome more Negrense girls from other towns and cities in the province aged 12 to 14 to join Bago JLS.
“No problem if they’re not from Bago City. We’re ready to adopt and give them the best we can offer,’” the mayor added.
Moises Paddila’s Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, on the other hand, bought softball equipment and gears from the United States of America (USA) just recently.
Mayor Ella said they also want to venture in softball, considering that they have their players (ala Arnaiz), too.
The fact that Arnaiz came from Moises Padilla, Mayor Ella stressed, it’s not a remote possibility that they also have other potential players who can follow Arnaiz.
‘IMPACTFUL’
Mayor Yulo said being this year’s World Series champion was impactful for impressionable Negrense youth. “Our softbelles are being looked up as models like the Korean K-Pop stars. That World Series championship really impacted their fellow Negrense teenagers.”
Above all, there’s a “sense of fulfillment”. Mayor Yulo’s nailed it right. Through sports, there’s motivation. One can overcome life’s adversities.
Though there’s fun in sports, its very essence is to develop self-confidence.
As world heavyweight champion boxer Muhammad Ali said: “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.”/PN
