TORONTO- On Saturday, after an 18-inning marathon game that saw the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Texas Rangers, a sold-out contingent of 130 girls filled the Rogers Centre field for the first ‘Girls Day in Toronto’ baseball camp.
“It’s sold out and we had a waiting list,” said Baseball Canada Girls Committee Chair Holly LaPierre. “I think this speaks volumes to the interest that girls have in baseball.
“What other team in Major League Baseball has put their stamp on helping to develop the game for girls.”
The Blue Jays have really embraced their role as supporters of amateur baseball in Canada which includes working to promote baseball to female players.
“This is the second year we’ve been involved,” explained Blue Jays Manager of Amateur Baseball TJ Burton. “This year we’ll be doing four (camps) across the country.”
Other Girls Day camps are planned for Vancouver (June 28th), Edmonton (June 29th) and Halifax (August 11th) with spots filling up quickly for each location.
Current Women’s National Team players Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) and Autumn Mills (London, ON) along with coach Sam Magalas (Burlington, ON) were at Rogers Centre on Saturday to pass along their knowledge and expertise to the young players.
Stephenson says that camps like Girls Day in Toronto are important for getting female players interested in baseball, while improving their skills.
“We have to start at the grassroots level to get girls introduced to the sport, get used to the sport and let them have a lot of fun” she said. “Then we can provide them with some coaching so that they get better and get some confidence so they can (further) develop.
“It’s all about life-long fitness and life-long fun whether you’re playing on a team or just in the park with your friends.”
Participants rotated through stations where they practiced hitting, fielding, pitching, running and throwing drills, while also getting the opportunity to meet some new friends and have fun through the sport of baseball.
“It’s a totally different dynamic when the girls are together,” added LaPierre. “I think there’s a camaraderie that girls have between each other and want to be with their peers in their peer group.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to sign-up for one of three remaining Girls Clinics. Please click HERE for more information.
