Sis Bates’ stardom will always shine brightest in the Pacific Northwest, where she cemented herself as one of the best shortstops in softball. A standout player for the University of Washington, Bates returned to Seattle to throw out the first pitch at the Mariners game on Tuesday night.
Bates has pursued her own professional career and is now a key player on the Portland Cascade, the latest expansion franchise of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). This summer back in the PNW will be Bates’ sixth as a pro. She was a three-time Softball America Defensive Player of the Year (2019–2021) and won the award three times for the Pac-12.
Bates played for the Texas Volts last season and was selected by the Cascade in the league’s Expansion Draft.
Bates and the Cascade will open up the season on June 9 in Durham, North Carolina, to face the Carolina Blaze for a three-game series. Tickets are on sale now.