NATE TOMPKINS | JWOS CONTRIBUTOR
On Friday, the Philippines National Team took on the team representing Chinese Taipei. It was a close game that was tied 1-1 into the fifth inning before Chinese Taipei was able to separate late in the game to record a 5-1 win. It was a great exhibition of talent, as both teams fought the weather as well as each other.
Morgan Stuart, a 2009 Women’s College World Series champion with the Washington Huskies, is a member of the Philippines roster. “It’s pretty cool,” she said. “I started in 2014 with the first Phil-am and local team that came together. We have seen a lot of growth from the local players; you can see the work they have put in. As far as what’s next, we are trying to qualify in Shanghai, China. It’s a process; we are not quite where we want to be and our record isn’t quite a reflection of who we are. This has been a lot of fun. It’s very different than, say, college softball or clinics that I will travel around and do.”
Stuart is a member of The Packaged Deal, an instructional clinic company and something that is not just accessible in the United States, but internationally thanks to resources like social media and the organization’s website. What does it mean for kids in the Philippines to have access to those instructional elements, especially with what may be a language barrier for the ones doing the teaching?
“Softball is kind of a universal language,” Stuart said. “Some of the local kids may not understand English, but they can understand how to field a groundball. You give them a little bit of English and they are really quick to pick it up. Selfishly, I must admit, I don’t understand any other language. You would be surprised how they are able to pick up the drill from the resources at hand.”
On the differences between collegiate and international softball, Stuart was clear. “It’s definitely different. There’s definitely a difference between Asian softball and, say, western hemisphere softball. A lot of the players in Asia will play later into their life. Chinese Taipei will have players playing into their 30’s and 40’s. It’s cool because you look across the field and there are mothers and seasoned players playing at such high levels. The majority of Americans, they typically peak at the college age, then turn to coaching, play professionally, or for the national team, which is such a small percentage of people.”
The Blu Girls have a high number of younger players on their country’s team. When asked about their youth, Stuart said, “Having youth on our team is so exciting. It’s the future of softball in the Philippines. It is tough because you have other teams that have players with Olympic experience. It’s similar to in college, when you have a freshman and senior, in the clutch moment, you typically look to the senior. It is a challenge, but so much hope with a young team.”
Logan Caymol, an incoming freshman to the inaugural Clemson University softball team, is also a member of the Philippines National Team. Caymol played elite travel ball for the East Cobb Bullets, as well as for Buford High School, one of the winningest programs in Georgia high school history.
Caymol shared how the experience of playing for Team Philippines is preparing her for college: “I knew coming into this that it would be a new experience for me, not having played against this level of competition before. I think it’s rubbed off on me, the type of leadership that Morgan (Stuart) and Chelsea (Suitos) have had on this team. The maturity is good to be around.”
“We were talking in the dugout, and just in all of their actions, they have been such good role models and leaders for me,” Caymol continued. “It’s really inspiring.”
Caymol is also getting valuable experience playing with a freshly-assembled squad, very much like what will be the case with her soon-to-be Tiger teammates. “It’s gonna be a little difficult to gel, but I’m really excited for what I have learned here and what’s to come,” she added.
Stuart, Caymol, and the rest of the Philippine National Team will participate in the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifier in September, where they will look to qualify for the Olympics in 2020. If the Philippines team makes the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, they would be pursuing their first medal since the 1970 ISF World Softball Championships, where they won bronze.
