SPREAD THE WORD: USA travel softball team -- with local flavor -- heads to Belize

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on June 21, 2017 7:07 AM

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Have faith, will travel.

Such is the notion for a quartet of past and present Charles B. Aycock softball players this week in Belize, an ethnically diverse country located on the east coast of Central America.

Along with nine teammates, three coaches and photographer Amber Kasey, the group is there as an extension of Where Love Abounds, a not-for-profit Christian organization in Goldsboro whose primary goal is to promote faith and goodwill around the world through team sports.

And the outfit -- which features CBA alumnae Taylor Waddell and Allison Shingleton as well as rising seniors Taylor Puetz and Georgia Parnell -- is primed for the rigors of its globetrotting mission.

"I was instantly excited when I knew I would be going out of the country to play softball and do God's work," said Waddell, who will enroll at the University of Mount Olive in August. "But I've never been out of the country, so my nerves are everywhere."

A little softball, however -- in addition to its slate of faith-inspired duties -- should remedy any apprehension felt by the troupe.

Over the course of six games, Team USA will face Esperanza, Unitedville, Belmopan and Roaring Creek -- known softball commodities that enjoy active, fully-formed rosters. Its final opponent, the Belize national team, is under new leadership and, at present, identifying players which can help it qualify for the Olympics in 2020.

The two teams will square off in a doubleheader Saturday evening.

But the excursion's true meaning lies elsewhere.

"Each morning, we'll go to a different school and work with the students," coach Curt Hinton said of the itinerary. "And then we'll be doing prayer walks around the local cities, and meeting some local pastors... doing some door-to-door witnessing as well."

The area, impoverished by American standards but not designated as third world, stands to offer a unique bit of real-world perspective to a group of student-athletes offering redefinition to the term "travel ball."

Also on this version of Team USA are former Aycock standout and Applachian State senior Cierra Harris, Madison Vicendese, former Princeton High standout Charley Cox and Danielle Myers. Also on board are Chandler Harrell, Meredith Mize, Sarah McCollum of Wayne Christian fame, Erin McDonald and Jordan Cargile

Leading matters from the dugout will be Hinton, Shawn Harris and Jerry Forbis, who has stepped to the forefront of this group's development, organization and travel.

"It's been fun, been a challenge... and a lot of work for 17 people -- but it's all worked out," the coach noted. "God has opened the doors and everything's gone smoothly... for some, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do God's work and play a game that they've all grown up playing -- and wear the Team USA uniform."