OTTWAW-If you’re in or near the Granby, Québec region this week, make sure to stop by Napoléon-Fontaine Stadium to take in the Canada-Japan Women’s Series which gets underway July 17th and concludes on July 21st – you will not be disappointed!
Thirty of the top female baseball players in Canada have been split into two teams and will play a double round-robin against two touring Japanese squads with medal games taking place on Sunday, July 21st.
One of the best kept secrets in the baseball world – female baseball is growing each year with more players, teams, leagues and countries playing the sport.
The first Women’s Baseball World Cup took place in Edmonton in 2004 and now five World Cup events have been played in places like Taiwan, Japan and Venezuela.
Japan is the three-time defending champion at the Women’s World Cup and their players benefit from playing in a professional league where playing baseball can be their primary vocation.
Women’s baseball received some incredible news earlier this year as it was announced that, for the first time ever, women’s baseball, would be part of the Pan Am Games sport program when the 2015 games come to Toronto.
This week’s event in Granby will be used as a warm-up and evaluation tool, for coaches, for the 2014 Women’s World Cup along with a look ahead to some of the players who will represent Canada at the 2015 Pan Am Games.
Many members of the Canadian Women’s National Team began playing baseball on boy’s teams when they were just starting school.
Baseball is a big part of their lives as they have dedicated their lives to becoming better players to the point that they are now world-class athletes.
Let’s meet some members of the Women’s National Team program who will be playing in Granby this week. Where did these women get their start in baseball, you ask? Take a look at their youth baseball photo accompanying their National Team picture!
AMANDA ASAY
Prince George, BC
Catcher/1B
Amanda joined the Women’s National Team in 2005 and has played in four Women’s World Cup events. In 2006, she was named Women’s National Team MVP after earning a tournament All-Star selection at the 2006 World Cup.
NIKI BOYD
Whalley, BC
Outfielder
Niki joined the Women’s National Team program in 2011 and in played in her first Women’s World Cup in Edmonton in 2012. Niki has also travelled to Cuba to participate in the Bantam Girls Development Camp.
MEGEAN CORNELSSEN
Grande-Prairie, AB
Outfielder
Meagan joined the Women’s National Team in 2008 and has been a starter in the outfield from Day 1. She has played in three Women’s World Cup events and in 2011 was named Women’s National Team MVP.
NICOLE LUCHANSKI
Edmonton, AB
2B
Nicole made her debut with the Women’s National Team in 2006 and has been a key contributor in four Women’s World Cups. At the 2012 World Cup in her hometown of Edmonton, she was an All- Star at second base and led the tournament in home runs.
HANNAH MARTENSEN
Ottawa, ON
Pitcher
Hannah joined the Women’s National Team program in 2011 and played in her first Women’s World Cup in 2012. Hannah also is a graduate of the Bantam Girls Development Camp which takes place annually in Cuba.
BRINELY McLAREN
Brantford, ON
Pitcher
Brinley made her Women’s National Team debut at the 2012 Women’s World Cup in Edmonton where she was Canada’s youngest players at 17 years-old. Brinley was given the start on the mound against powerhouse Japan where she handled herself like a seasoned veteran.
HEIDI NORTHCOTT
Rocky Mountain House, AB
Pitcher
Heidi began with the Women’s National Team program in 2009 and played in her first Women’s World Cup in 2012. Heidi is a graduate of the Bantam Girls Development Camp in Cuba and gives back to the game as an instructor for ‘Girls Day in Baseball’ Camps.
KATE PSOTA
Burlington, ON
Pitcher/1B
A member of the inaugural Women’s National Team in 2004, Kate has played in all five Women’s World Cups. Kate is a two-time winner on the Women’s National Team MVP Award (2009, 2010) and was the recipient of the Jimmy Rattlesnake Award in 2008.
VANESSA RIOPEL
Repentigny, QC
Pitcher
Vanessa started with the Women’s National Team program in 2007 and since then has participated in two Women’s World Cup events (2010, 2012). At the 2010 World Cup in Venezuela, Vanessa went 1-1 with 1.25 ERA.
STÉPHANIE SAVOIE
La Pocatière, QC
Catcher
Stépahnie has played in three Women’s World Cup since joining the program in 2007. Stéphanie had a break-out performance at the 2012 World Cup in Edmonton where she was named the events Top Catcher and later took home the Women’s National Team MVP Award.
ASHLEY STEPHENSON
Oakville, ON
Third Base
Ashley was a member of the first even Women’s National Team in 2004 and has played in all five World Cups ever since. A leader both on and off the field, Ashley is a two-time Women’s National Team MVP Award winner (2005, 2008) and was the recipient of the Jimmy Rattlesnake Award in 2011.
BRADI WALL
Swift Current, SK
Shortstop
Bradi began her participation with the Women’s National Team program in 2009 and made her Women’s World Cup debut in 2012. She instantly became one of the top middle infielders at the World Cup and was named a tournament All-Star, while later taking home the Jimmy Rattlesnake Award.
