For the second year in a row, 10 top batters from across the nation will enjoy a three-day experience of a lifetime as they'll participate in the Louisville Slugger Hit Club which has partnered with PGF and will take place in Huntington Beach, California.

FloSoftball is excited to be the media platform for all things Hit Club and we'll have more details in next few weeks including the announcement of the players who will get to benefit from on-field and off-the-field activities.

Last year's inaugural class included Shay Knighten of the National Champion Oklahoma Sooners and NCAA Div. I Freshman of the Year Amanda Lorenz with the Florida Gators.

Who will be next year's standout freshman player who will win All-American honors or even win a National Championship?

So far, here's who has been announced in the exclusive group of 10 in the Hit Club:

•    Elissa Brown (Birmingham Thunderbolts)--University of Alabama

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THE NEWEST HIT CLUB PLAYER IS...

Player:  NICOLE BATES

Hometown:  Ceres, California

Club Team: Firecracers-Rico
College: University of Washington
Position(s): ​shortstop
Honors: Two-time 1st Team FloSoftball All-American, PGF All-American, "Miss Softball" for California (State Player of the Year as chosen by CalHiSports.com), 1st Team All-State, No. 12 in the FloSoftball 2016 Hot 100, Modesto Bee District Player of the Year, three-time All-District selection, four-time All-WAC (conference), hit .571 as a senior, .512 career average, made the California state record book with career marks in hits (205), doubles (31), triples (22) and runs (171); in basketball was 1st Team All-District senior year, three-time 1st Team All-Conference.

A CLOSER LOOK…

Best high school/club experience:
My best high school/club experience would be winning our section finals.  It was a very special moment for me and my friends that I have been playing with since T-ball.

Why did you choose Washington?
At a very young age, Washington was the first team that I had ever watched on T.V. and I thought it was the absolute coolest thing ever!  After a couple of years, I went and visited the campus and fell in love with the school and the coaching staff.

What key factors led into the decision?
The family environment and high education essentially led me into committing to the UW.

Best advice to young players/recruits:
My advice to young players is that failure is a huge part of the game and no one is perfect.  If you make a mistake, shake it off and you will definitely get another opportunity.  Before going up to bat, always take a deep breath to clear your mind.

Best advice you've been given:
Keep the game simple.

Thing looking forward to most in college:
The thing I am looking forward to most in college is competing at the highest level with a team that I love.

Aspect of college that worries you/you're nervous about:
I am most worried about time management, but I am confident that with the tutors that are available to us I will be successful.

What do you want to do after softball ends?
After softball ends I would love to give back to the sport and coach as well as being a Special Education teacher.

What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
Personally, I pride myself in my defense.  Going forward, I would just like to work more on the mental side of the game.

What's something about you unique or unusual that most don't know?
I live in Northern California and drive 6 ½  hours to practice/play with my travel team, which is based out of Huntington Beach.

Finally, describe yourself in one word:
​Competitive.