The Guam Women's National Baseball Team had a bitter pill to swallow recently: The Phoenix Cup, an internationally sanctioned baseball tournament in Hong Kong, was postponed.

But not having to travel meant the team would be safely away from the recent virus outbreak that's been grabbing headlines.

The Donald Trump administration declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a public health emergency in the United States Friday, setting quarantines of Americans who have recently been to certain parts of China. As of Friday, the outbreak had infected nearly 10,000 people, most of them in China, and killed more than 200 people, all in China.

"They're kinda scrambling over there. That's the way it sounds," said Keith Hattig, head coach for Guam's national team.

Big trip

Guam is not new to women's baseball, but this trip meant more than any before. Guam was scheduled to play the host Hong Kong as well as Malaysia.

"The women have played in this before, but under the (recreation) division. This year was the first time they established the national pool," said Hattig. "The reason why we needed to go there is because it would start the ranking for the women's program. Everything we've always played was always recreational."

Originally scheduled to start Feb. 7, the tournament has been rescheduled to March 27-30. Hattig says Team Guam is set to go in March.

"But it has to be safe," he said.

Guam would gain points just for participating, and earn more points if it does well, said Hattig.

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"We've been preparing for a while and these girls have put in a lot of work. So we want to go and play somewhere it's credible for them and for the island of Guam," said Hattig. "Friendship tournaments isn't what we want to do now. The whole reason why we started this was to get Guam on the map. I keep track of the world rankings, and Hong Kong is No. 10. Malaysia is technically a new national team, just like us.

"These girls have beaten Hong Kong before, on the rec side. I believe our girls are very capable of getting up there in the world rankings pretty quick," he said.

Pitcher disappointed

Pitcher Pauly Quintanilla has played women's baseball on Guam since its inception about four years ago. She's considered a veteran, and an ace on the mound, said Hattig.

"I want to go. I want to compete, so I was pretty bummed when I heard the news," said Quintanilla. "But no, I don't want to take the chance."

Quintanilla says she likes baseball better than fastpitch softball. She fell in love with the game when she first started, and was key to Team Guam's success at prior tournaments in the recreational division.

"It's a good experience, good competition and it's pretty fun. It's faster," said Quintanilla. "Women who could smash the ball? Japan had some, and Hong Kong too. They were hitting hard and they throw pretty good too."

Quintanilla says Team Guam has come a long way since practicing in November.

"Not everyone knew everyone, but that's changed. Now we communicate more, hang out more," she said. "Now we are a team, and we have teamwork."

Team Guam