Sally Marquez's baseball memories go back to long prior to the Isotopes patrolled Rio Grande Credit Union Field.
Years back, the present New Mexico Activities Association executive director would participate in video games at the then
Albuquerque Sports Stadium with her daddy and bro for a really special brand name of drive-in theater.
" At that time you might park in the outfield and watch the video game," stated Marquez, who was a three-sport professional athlete at Manzano before playing basketball at the University of New Mexico.
" Those are great memories when I was maturing with the Dukes when they were within the Dodger company. Just remaining in the outfield with my father resting on the cars and truck watching a video game."
It's totally possible that throughout that duration Marquez may have shared a few of those very views with fellow New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame member Sue MacEachen, one of the most decorated female track athletes in the history of the state.
" I keep considering the view from outfield-- the old Dukes Stadium looking from the outfield into the ballpark, when you might park there and have a picnic," MacEachen said.
The present surroundings, MacEachen includes, isn't bad either.
" The views from the seats are simply extraordinary," she said. "You've got the Sandias, you've got stunning skies. When it's just been gorgeous, I can't tell you how numerous times I got up and walked to the back railing just to watch the sun set so lots of nights. It makes you seem like it's a great hometown feel."
Marquez and MacEachen will share a various viewpoint Saturday, when they will be honored as part of the 2nd annual Women in Sports Night at the Isotopes' doubleheader against the
Tacoma Rainiers. The extra video game is demanded by Friday night's rainout. The "Women In Sports" celebration will occur immediately following Game 1, which is arranged for a 4:05 p.m. first pitch.
Joining them in the ceremony will be previous University of New Mexico basketball standout Nikki Heckroth Lobato and ex-Lobo soccer star Gwen Maly. All four ambassadors will throw away a ceremonial very first pitch as the Isotopes pay tribute to some of most impactful women in the
Albuquerque sports scene.
The main National Girls and Women in Sports day is in February, however the company wanted to do something to commemorate those deserving accolades during its season. Honorees are picked from a variety of eras, backgrounds and sports.
There's no concern that all four 2023 ambassadors have made their mark in the Land of Enchantment.
Even after her own athletic profession ended, Marquez's work with the NMAA continues to impact the prep sports landscape on an annual basis.
MacEachen, on the other hand, made her name with the Duke City Dashers running club prior to making All-America honors in track and cross nation at UNM. Heckroth Lobato was a star point guard who guided the Lobos to the WNIT finals, and Maly helped direct the Lobos to the 2nd round of the 2021 NCAA competition prior to finishing as the school's 4th all-time leading objective scorer.
" I think maturing here in New Mexico and just understanding how far women in sports have actually come and simply being a Lobo and understanding just how much the neighborhood supported females's basketball at UNM, I have actually felt all of it along," said Heckroth Lobato, a multi-sports standout at Sandia High prior to UNM.
Not everybody's baseball memories harken back to the Dukes. Maly, who comes from
Irvine, California, recalls going to Isotopes games as a Lobo soccer team-bonding experience throughout preseason camp.
" I always enjoyed going to those video games with the team. They always have a good time activities going on between the innings," Maly stated. "One of the important things I remember maturing, we used to go to Angels games, however those stadiums were so substantial that you were kind of simply lost in the crowd. I believed it was so enjoyable when I got to New Mexico going to the Isotopes games since you 'd always be, like, on the big screen."
When it pertains to throwing away the first pitch, Heckroth Lobato may have a leg-- or arm-- up on her counterparts, since she used her last year of college eligibility to play softball. She was also a coach for her son's taking a trip group with the
Albuquerque Baseball Academy.
All 4 women are anticipated to have pals or enjoyed ones function as their battery mates.
" It ought to be fun," Heckroth Lobato said. "I throw a lot of long toss with my group at ABA.
DH, 4:05 p.m. 610 AM/95.9 FM.
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