UCLA’s Lisa Fernandez embraces role as softball coach and ambassador

Former UCLA standout Lisa Fernandez’s decorated softball career has led to her competing in some of the biggest games in the history of the sport, but she now finds herself in the unique position to give back as an ambassador.

Fernandez will be back on the field to participate in a far less competitive contest on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium – the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game, which is part of the MLB All-Star week festivities, but for her, remains a chance to showcase much more than the talent and ability that helped her win three Olympic gold medals.

“As someone who takes great pride in being fortunate to have the opportunity to make change, hopefully I can open the eyes of other females to inspire,” she said. “There’s no greater opportunity than to be able to have a child open their eyes and say ‘Wow, I can do this too’ and for me, that’s what it’s about.”

While the Lakewood St. Joseph High alumnus no longer plays consistently, she has turned to coaching and mentoring the next generation in the region.

“I’ve been in this game for a long time,” she said. “Any time I have the chance to be around the game, it just brings out the love, passion and energy that I have.”

Fernandez spent Thursday afternoon coaching and encouraging local youth players at the batting cages that have been set up outside the Los Angeles Convention Center through the run of next week’s All-Star Game.

“Hopefully we can continue to grow the sport,” Fernandez said. “At this stage, it’s about giving back and realizing there were a lot of people who sacrificed in order to give me the opportunities I’ve been blessed to have. Now I want to be able to do the same.

“I take that with great pride and as a personal challenge to want to accept that role.”

Jacqueline Secaira-Cotto, a director of global events for MLB, has been able to work closely with Fernandez and experience her love and passion for the game.

“She’s the greatest of all time,” Secaira-Cotto said. “She’s excellent and she is all about teaching and connecting with the kids. I’m thankful to be working with her. This is her hometown and it all just fits together perfectly.”

“Anytime I’m working with athletes, it’s an opportunity to learn about an individual … what makes them tick and what their goals are …,” Fernandez said. “More importantly, it is an opportunity to help change lives and to me, that’s the most important part of this experience.”

Fernandez started her second stint on the UCLA coaching staff in 2007 and has worked closely with former college teammate and current Bruins head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez to help the softball program remain a national power. Since 2007, the duo has coached the team to two Women’s College World Series championships (2010, 2019) while producing elite talent such as Rachel Garcia and Megan Faraimo.

“Lisa was a standout pitcher and hitter and there’s a reason why she was a three-time gold medalist,” Inouye-Perez said. “She has worked for everything she has become and I’ve been fortunate to be a part (of her journey).”

Despite having played on the sport’s biggest stage, Fernandez acknowledges she is both nervous and excited for Saturday’s loose atmosphere celebrity event and the chance to play on the field at Dodger Stadium for the first time.

“When you care about something you are going to be nervous,” she said. “But I’m going to go out there and give it my all, please have grace because heaven knows what’s going to happen, my mind sometimes thinks I can do more than what my body can do but I am going to give it my all.”

Prior to the game, fans will have the opportunity to meet Fernandez, along with former Dodgers Steve Garvey and Andre Either, during an appearance when MLB’s Play Ball Park attraction opens its doors to the public on Saturday morning at the L.A. Convention Center.

MLB ALL-STAR CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME LINEUP:

Bad Bunny, Quavo, Lisa Fernandez, Natasha Watley, Jennie Finch, JoJo Siwa, Action Bronson, Andre Ethier, Anthony Ramos, Bryan Cranston, CC Sabathia, Coi Leray, Desus Nice, Hunter Pence, Jerry Lorenzo, J.K. Simmons, Lauren Chamberlain, Rob Lowe, Shawn Green, Simu Liu, The Kid Mero, The Miz, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

HOW TO WATCH:

Where: Dodger Stadium

When: Saturday, 7:15 p.m. PT

Streaming: YouTube, Peacock, Pluto TV, Bleacher Report and across MLB’s social platforms

TV: MLB Network (Monday, 7:30 p.m. PT)