USA Women’s Softball player Nicole “Sis” Bates will be returning to her hometown of Ceres this Saturday to share her love and knowledge of the game on fields she played on as a youngster.

The Sis Bates Skills Camp will be staged from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at George Costa Fields.

“I’ve been swinging a bat since I was a kid,” said 26-year-old Bates, who attended Carroll Fowler Elementary, Mae Hensley Jr. High and Ceres High School. “From backyard games to big-league dreams, it’s always been my passion. Now, as a professional player, I’m excited to share my love for the game and inspire the next generation of athletes.”

Proceeds from the camp will go to Central Valley High School’s softball team, which is coached by Nicole’s brother Jimmy Bates.

“I think it’s really cool for young women in our community to see and interact with somebody that has reached the pinnacle in the sport she plays,” Jimmy said. “What’s so special about Sis is she has a genuine ability to connect with people so quickly. It’s a positive energy. She’s excited to see everybody. She cares about our community. She hasn’t forgotten her roots along the way.”

Cost is $100 per participant.

The camp will feature two sessions.

The junior session (ages 7-12) will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The high-school session (ages 13-18) will run from 1-3 p.m.

Bates will hold a Q&A session and sign autographs from 12-1 p.m.

“In lesson and camp settings, I am passionate about providing young players with a fun, joyful experience where I am fully present,” Bates said. “I see myself in so many of the young aspiring softball gals I get the honor to work with and learn from. Engaging and supporting each and every player and her needs is of the utmost important to me as an instructor and role model. I approach each athlete with a positive coaching style, and prioritize proven fundamentals while creating a safe space for emotions to exist. Your worthiness exists in and out of softball, and it is my mission to spread that very premise of love and joy to the next generation of softball games.”

The Sis Bates Skills Camp wouldn’t have come to fruition without help from the city of Ceres and the Ceres Youth Baseball & Softball Organization.

The camp will be staged on two different fields.

Batting cages will also be used.

“We spent a majority of our childhood at ballparks,” Jimmy said. “It started at Costa.”

“This isn’t the only time Sis has given back to the community,” said Jessica Lopez, vice president of Ceres Youth Softball. “A couple of years ago, she donated cleats to CYB players. She’s such an inspiration. She’s so humble. She’s always talking about having fun.”

Bates starred in softball at Ceres High School prior to becoming a three-time NCAA Division-I All-American infielder with the University of Washington.

She completed her fourth season of pro softball with Athletes Unlimited earlier this year.

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.

She also endorses products with a handful of companies, including Adidas, Wilson and Marucci.

Bates has her own signature cleats with Adidas.

For more information about the skills clinic, contact Jimmy Bates at jbates@ceres.k12.ca.us or 209-622-6779.

“There’s a buzz around this camp on social media,” Jimmy said. “When you have that putting-others-first mentality, people want to be around you. Her energy is infectious. She’s so positive. She finds a way to make sure people feel that way as well. Our parents did a really good job of instilling in us the team aspect of playing sports.”