Throwback Thursday: 5 Years Ago, MIF Nicole Bates Sent In Her Recruiting Info… Today, You Know Her Better as “Sis Bates!”

Five years ago, while running the Student Sports Softball website, I received a Recruiting Submission Form from a then-sophomore infielder who was starting to make a real name for herself.

Back then, she was known as “Nicole Bates” to the outside world; today, though, we all know her as Sis Bates, one of the top players in the sport.

As I was going through old emails today from 2014 (yes, I keep everything!), I didn’t find any references to “Sis,” just “Nicole,” but her father, John Bates, explained today that wasn’t the case for those close to the athlete who’s been playing softball since age 4.

“Sis has always been ‘Sis’ to friends and family,” John begins. “She was only ‘Nicole’ at school. From the time she could walk, she was ‘Sis’ or ‘Nicki’ until “Nicki” wasn’t cool enough!

Honestly, kids and parents—even from the time she played rec ball—didn’t know her given name… they only knew her as “Sis.”

And, important historical note: the athlete’s mother, Michelle Heddon, gets credit for coming up with the nickname “Sis.”  Or, actually, Sis’s Grandma Linnie, who called Michelle “Sis” first. In effect, the “Sis” we know is actually “Sis Jr.” as her mom was the first “Sis” in the family!

Whatever she’s called, Nicole “Sis” Bates today is a two-time NCAA All-American about to finish her stellar softball career at the University of Washington. Her softball resume includes everything from being the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 (second year in a row) to having played for Team USA.

As great as she is as a player, she is equally well known for her class as a person.

In a feature covering the great players in the history of the Firecrackers, Tony Rico said if there would be one person who could be labeled as the “Face of the Firecrackers,” it would be Sis because, “She has physical beauty plus humility plus grace plus empathy.”

Sis’s older brother, Jimmy Bates, just got his Master’s Degree in Education after interning with the Husky softball program last year, getting to travel with the team and spend time with his sister. He hopes to someday become an Athletic Director.

His famous sibling will get an undergrad degree in Sociology and likely get a Master’s as well, probably in Education. Though she’d be a great teacher, with her ebullient, magnetic personality, don’t be surprised if Sis stays in softball in some capacity, as her ability to connect with those that love the game like she does makes her a leader and one of the more popular players in the sport.

This we’ve known from getting to know her years ago: whatever she does—and she’ll do it well—Sis will continue making an impact… by whatever name she goes by!

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball

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RECRUITING PROFILE

Originally received Jan. 23, 2014

Name: Nicole Bates
High School: Ceres High School
City: Ceres
ST:  CA
Grad Year: 2016
Club Team: Firecrackers – Tony Rico
Height: 5’4”
Primary Position: SS
Secondary Position: 2B

Have you committed to a college?
University of Washington

What did you base your commitment on?
I’ve wanted to play for UDUB since they won the championship in 2009. I love Seattle and have family there.

I want to major in Nursing, where UDUB has been ranked #1 since 1984. Coach Tarr and the entire coaching staff feel like family.

UDUB has been ranked in the top 25 pre-season rankings for the last 20 years, which I believe means we will have a shot at another title every year. What could be better?!!!

What were your stats from this past year (2013)?
As a freshman I earned All WAC conference 1st team & team MVP in softball. The same year I earned All WAC conference first team & team MVP in basketball.

I was invited and participated in two On Deck (Allister) NorCal Jamboree camps and once to their National Camp. I did not attend the national camp because I verbally committed to UDUB just prior to the event.

I played for Nor Cal Firecrackers – Baisdon where we took 5th at Nationals as a U12 and 5th at premier as a younger U14.  I played for Coach Mike Baisdon from the age of 9 until this past fall (2013) when I joined Firecrackers 18 Gold – Rico. I travel 300+ miles every weekend for practice and games.

What is your favorite bat?
Louisville Xeno. I like the feel and the consistency of pop off the bat.

What bat does your team use? What bat do you use?
My entire team uses Louisville bats and gloves.

What is your favorite brand of cleats?
Mizuno

What is the uniform brand you prefer?
Gluv