Nicole “Sis” Bates was interviewed by Softball America during the opening week of her fourth season playing in the Illinois-based Athletes Unlimited Pro League.
The 2016 Ceres High School grad/three-time NCAA Division-I All-American infielder talked about the past, present and future.
“It feels like forever since I’ve been in Rosemont,” 26-year-old Bates stated during the 17-plus-minute Q&A session. “I’m just happy as a clam to be back here.”
“This is my job and I get to play with my best friends every day,” she added. “What a blessing.”
A standout shortstop, Bates contributed at a different position during the opening week of the 2024 Athletes Unlimited season.
She batted 1-for-2 from the plate in Team Svekis’ 1-0 loss to Team Denham on July 26.
“I played outfield for the first time,” Bates said. “Extra butterflies in this tummy of mine. But it was great.”
Bates was selected in the Athletes Unlimited Softball Draft in 2021.
“We have the best softball players in the whole wide world,” she said. “We play with so much joy and love for each other. It’s an experience like no other. I hope more people come out (to watch).”
Bates finished ninth overall on the AUX Softball Leaderboard with 976 points in 2023.
She was named GEICO AUX Defensive MVP in 2022.
Bates made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays twice for her defensive wizardry.
She finished ninth in the individual standings with 1,468 points as a rookie in 2021.
“I never really look at the leaderboard,” Bates said. “I’m not really too worried about that. I’m worried more about how can I help the person to my left and the person to my right.”
“I feel I play my best when I’m pouring into others,” she added. “That’s when I perform best.”
Athletes Unlimited is a player-centered sports organization with teams being re-drafted by player captains every week and a scoring system for both teams and players.
Games are played at Parkway Bank Complex in Rosemont. All games are broadcasted and streamed around the world.
“It’s a unique experience,” Bates said. “It’s so fun. I get to play with new people every week and share my love with everyone.”
Bates has fully embraced being one of the faces of women’s softball.
Her hard work, competitiveness and radiant personality have helped her ascend to heights only a small percentage reach.
“It’s pretty special to be in a space where I can help the sport grow and pave the way for young women,” she said.
“As long as I can remember, I’ve loved this sport so much,” Bates added. “I remember being little and asking my mom when softball season is again. We lived right next to our little rec ball field. If I’m still having joy and still loving on people around me that’s what I want to do.”
Bates signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Adidas in February of 2022.
In September, Adidas released Bates’ signature “Remember to Have Fun” Adizero Pure Hustle 3 softball cleats.
She helped design her cleats, which included selecting style, colorway and personal touches.
Her mantra, “Remember to Have Fun” is inscribed on the left insoles and the back of each cleat.
Bates’ facsimile autograph decorates the right insoles
Adidas also made sure to incorporate smiley-face logos into the design as Bates radiates positivity on and off the field.
On June 21, uniforms were unveiled for the Little League Softball World Series.
Inspired by Bates and provided by Adidas, Sis’ “Remember to Have Fun” mantra is inscribed on the inside back collar of every uniform.
Bates’ smiley face/flower logo can be seen on the right sleeve of each jersey.
Every Little League Softball World Series player has been given a pair of Bates’ second generation cleats.
“When I was young, I looked up to a lot of baseball player,” said Bates, who was recently featured in an Adidas Dugout commercial with MLB players Trea Turner, Julio Rodriguez and Jackson Holliday. “To have the first softball cleat, it’s crazy. I truly can’t believe it.”
Bates also endorses products with a handful of other companies, including Wilson and Demarini.
Wilson started selling the Sis Bates A2000 SB22 Fastpich Infield Glove on its website in January.
Bates has represented the U.S. Women’s National Softball Team on the international stage in Italy, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Japan.
Bates and the Americans brought home silver medals from the 2024 World Cup Finals this past month.
Bates became a homeowner in Texas this summer.
“Little Sis had no clue that I could even dream this big,” Bates said. “I’m just so grateful and I feel really blessed. I hope to play for as long as I can.”
Bates has experienced her share of highs and lows during her softball journey.
She considered walking away from the sport but her father convinced her to make a final decision after playing at least one more season.
“I went through some pretty rough times. It (softball) wasn’t joyful for me anymore. In high school, I went through a period where I wanted to quit after I was already committed to UW (University of Washington). In that moment, I remember crying to my dad in the Georgia Airport. He was like, ‘I’m not going to let you quit now but if at the end of the season it’s still this then we can talk about it.”
“At the end of the year, I told him I never want to get to this point again and I remember going back home and doing all the little things that made the game joyful for me,” she added. “I was playing wall ball with my brother and I was playing wiffle ball with all the boys in town, and the joy came back to me and I never want to lose it. It’s just something that really speaks to me and I hope it speaks to a lot of other little girls out there.”
Bates enjoyed a storied softball career at Washington.
She filled a major role in leading the Huskies to 222 victories, three trips to the Women’s College World Series—including one finals berth—and one Pac-12 regular-season title from 2017-2021.
She became just the second player in Pac-12 history to earn three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2021, 2019, 2018).
In her last 75 games, Bates made three total errors.
One of the most decorated players in Washington history, Bates became the program’s all-time hits leaders during her final season.
She had 320 hits in 261 career games.
She also made history by becoming just the fifth player from Washington to earn NFCA All-American honors for a third time.
Bates was a four-year standout at Ceres High School.
She was voted 2016 Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Softball State Player of the Year.
Led by Bates, the Bulldogs collected 85 wins, claimed one Sac-Joaquin Section championship, captured three Western Athletic Conference crowns and appeared in the playoffs four times.
“I feel so lucky to have the best parents in the whole wide world. I’m living my dream and it’s all because of them.”
