(East Los Angeles, CA) July 23, 2021 [From The Editor’s Desk]: To the very best of our production abilities, we will attempt to bring our followers and readers news stories and updates on our “Team USA Athletes” as they compete in all of their respective sports and teams that we are targeting. This is the opening featurette that coincides with the “Opening Ceremonies” that took place earlier today as the world watches for the start of the one-year delayed, and COVID-19 coronavirus impacted, 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Team USA Softball: First-time Olympian, #21 Rachel Garcia, Pitcher-Utility, UCLA. The coaching staff has opened with its two veteran pitchers on the team, Monica Abbott (left-hander) and Cat Osterman (left-hander). Both earned victories against Canada and Italy, respectively. Next up is Mexico on Saturday but we don’t know the starting pitcher yet. Let’s all hope to see Rachel take the mound in search of her first-ever Olympic Games victory. (Photo Credits): USA Softball

Recent UCLA Bruin alumnae to watch for are: Shortstop, Delaney Spaulding, (Rancho Cucamonga, CA); Outfielder, Bubba Nickles, (Merced, CA); and Pitcher, Ally Carda, (Elk Grove, CA). Other California natives on the roster feature: Dejah Mulipola, (Anaheim); Ali Aguilar, (Orangevale); Monica Abbott, (Salinas); Aubree Munro, (Brea); Valerie Arioto, (Pleasanton); and Janie Reed, (Placentia). The last USA Softball team competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and won the Silver medal, losing to Japan in the Gold Medal game. The next time Team USA will compete in the Olympic Games will be here in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee has elected not to include Softball as an Olympic sport. (Photo Credit): USA Baseball

Team USA Baseball: Eddy Alvarez, (Cuban-American), 2nd baseman for Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins’ Triple-A Jacksonville affiliate, was selected along with USA Basketball’s Women’s National Team player, Sue Bird, to be Co-Flag Bearers leading Team USA into the Opening Ceremonies. Alvarez was a member of Team USA during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and won a Silver medal as part of a 5,000-meter four-person short track speed skating team. They led Team USA’s 400+ members into Japan’s Olympic Stadium for the official start of the Games. (Photo Credit): USA Baseball

(Of Significance #1): We will be watching for many other outstanding Latin-American and Latino-Latina heritage Olympians during these Games and bring you their special stories when we are made aware of their performances in their particular individual and/or team sport.

(Special Reminder To All Viewers): Please check your local listings for the exact Pacific Time Zone start of the sport you would like to watch “Live.” Due to the big time zone difference, coming from East to West, the NBC Network will provide replays in other, and more suitable time zones. Here locally, the official Tokyo 2020 Olympics television station is KNBC-Channel 4. On Spectrum Cable, you can also see additional coverage on Channels 314 and 316.