By:Mara Brody, Team FLA Player

On September 17^th -23^rd members of the Team FLA traveled to Guayaquil, Ecuador to participate in the Copa Ciudad de Guayaquil Invitational sponsored by Liga Del Sur. Little did we know that our journey to Ecuador to play softball would turn into a very special and memorable trip of a lifetime for us that transcended far beyond the softball field and has shown us the importance of giving back.#MORE#

As we stepped off the plane into the Guayaquil airport we were greeted by many smiling faces and local media. We very quickly realized that this trip was unlike any other ASA qualifier, Showcase or Tournament that we had ever traveled to. We realized that our presence and willingness to participate in the Liga Del Sur Invitational meant a great deal to the people of Guayaquil and Liga Del Sur. As the first team from the United States to play in the Tournament the hospitality of the Ecuadorians and in particular the Directors and Staff of Liga Del Sur made us feel welcomed.

Each day our Team participated in double headers in the evening at the Liga Del Sur complex. Although very different from the fields and venues that we are used to playing at in the United States the complex with its manually operated card scoreboard was filled with hope, love and friendship. TEAM FLA played teams from Liga Del Sur and the National Team of Ecuador and went undefeated in the tournament earning the title of Tournament First Place Champions. However, it was the Outreach and Clinics that truly made us as Team FLA players feel like true champions. Team FLA coaches and players participated in several clinics and shared basic fundamental skills with area students. Lessons were provided in throwing, batting, catching, agility and conditioning. A highlight of the clinics included sharing donations of much needed softball/baseball equipment for area youth collected by the Team FLA softball coaches and families.

In addition to the softball fundamental clinics, we participated in outreach activities and visits to local schools where members of Team FLA were able to distribute school supplies that they had collected from their schools back home in the United States. The distribution of school supplies were warmly received by school administration. The kids also like the candy that we were able to share as well!

(Pictured Left: Team FLA at the Fe Y Alegria elementary school distributing donated school supplies and candy( of course)...teachers and students were so very grateful!)

During our trip we had the opportunity of a lifetime, to spend the night at the Ecuador Naval base, the girls had an amazing time touring the base and getting to meet many of the men who were there. While at the base we had an opportunity to kayak, sail, tour by boat, and go wave running. This was a great experience for all of us and we thank the men and women at the Naval base for inviting us and giving us a great experience that many people will never get.

The warmth and hospitality extended by the Liga Del Sur officials was incredible. Team FLA players toured the City of Guayaquil and learned about the history of the largest city in Ecuador. From sightseeing tours, shopping adventures in local markets, beautiful accommodations, tour of the Naval base to the incredibly delicious food prepared by the woman of Liga Del Sur the TEAM FLA delegation was made to feel at home.

(Pictured Right:Liga Del Sur President Dr. Edgar Salasar, Dara, Dara's (82 yr old grandmother, Linda Derk, Art Bautista-Hardman....picture in front of Dara's grandmothers house....one room where 12 people live...no electric or running water but Dara goes to school and participates in the Softball program at Liga Del Sur....one day hopes to do well enough to play in the 

USA)

Team FLA’s participation in the Liga Del Sur Invitational is certainly a highlight of our softball careers thus far that has touched each member of the Team FLA delegation and will forever remain with us. We will never forget the stories like that of the Peruvian pitcher who traveled 24 hours via bus just to watch a Team from the United States play. After three years of pitching lessons and never having the opportunity to play, this young player was given the opportunity by Team FLA Head Coach Linda Derk to play alongside the same players from the United States that she traveled so far to see. If only for a few days, she became part of Team FLA but forever a member of the Team FLA family. With Team FLA, we have the opportunity to travel all across the United States to play softball and many times take for granted the opportunities that are afforded to us. The desire to play and gain experience from the girls from the United States shown by this young girl from Peru opened many of our eyes to the reality of the vast opportunities and exposure that we are able to enjoy and experience as elite club softball players in the United States.

(Pictured Left: Caroline Grieves, Team FLA Gold catcher, with a Fe Y Alegria school student.....the students just gravitated to all our players!)

Thank you Liga Del Sur and our sisters in Softball from Liga Del Sur and the National Team of Ecuador for sharing your love of the sport with us.