The next generation of Canadian softball had its first test of the Canada Games in St. John’s on Sunday, and the players expect it to be another step towards something much bigger.
Chloe Bethune, Rylee Ruppel and Cece Brown, three members of the country’s national team, negotiated with the uniforms of their Canada team for the white, blue and yellow from Canada.
Brown opened the score for the BC team, hitting a long flight ball to the left garden for a triple of two races driven in the first entrance. The 17 -year -old from Maple Ridge, BC, added two more races in a pair of sacrifice bag to end four races promoted in the game.
Ruppel began the game in the second base, but was brought to launch the bottom of the fourth entrance. The 17 -year -old, also from Maple Ridge, BC, induced three weak immobilized to close the game.
“I think our team came out very hot and safe, and we all played together and did what we needed to do for our first game,” Ruppel said.
Bethune, an 18 -year -old girl from Lindell Beach, BC, was the receiver of her team during the four tickets, helping to exclude her opponents.
The three players are working to join the Canadian senior team someday, and said that Canada’s games are a good experience on that trip.
“[Making the senior team] It’s the big goal, “Bethune said.” I think they are all our goals. We really want to represent our country in the biggest stage. “
“Representing his province and representing his country is really special,” Brown said. “[The Canada Games are] A quite different experience, in terms of the tournament, because we can meet everyone, from BC and all, from other provinces here and we are all together.
“So it’s more memorable that way.”
While the three players have traveled internationally with the national team, these games are special for Betune.
“All the places where we have been with the national team [have] State outside the country. Doing something at home is really great and something special, “he said.
The BC team trains Michelle Webster and Kaitlyn Cameron also see Canada’s games as special, because they are also an important springboard for their athletes.
Some of Canada’s best athletes began at the Canada Games. Jacqueline McKay and Fenn Mayes are at St John’s, NFLD., To explain.
“I think it’s a good step for them and their careers, playing better competition, entering provincials, playing other provinces. It is a step, although they have played with the national team before, being in a tournament like this,” Cameron said.
“We hope it will be something else in your future, and it is a good experience for them.”
Webster also sees the format of the games as something that will help prepare the trio for its future.
“[The] The experience of multisport games is a different beast, you know, sleep in accommodation, eat different meals, travel days, everything [those] Things, “he said.” Elite level athletes are going to handle that time differently, so this is a good experience for them in that area too. “
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That future could also include the Olympic Games, since softball is back in the Olympic program for 2028. The three athletes say that playing at the Olympic Games is now a personal goal, and Cameron said that having the Olympic Games back as an attainable goal for young softball players is incredibly positive for sport.
“It is the pinnacle of our sport. It is that all young softball dream, either in the Olympic Games, that is where you want to end one day. That is what you want to be,” Cameron said. “So, having that goal to be there and that is a possibility now is really huge.
“Canada team players who have played at the Olympic Games in the past [come] return to our communities, helping, [and] Our game really grows for better. “
Webster believes that the importance of sport that returns to the Olympic Games cannot be underestimated.
The Olympic champion, known for his ice speed, describes the value and importance of Canada Games from his perspective as president of the Canadian Games Council for the CBC Sports presenter Anastasia Bucsis.
“It means everything. It is the scenario of the world. It is an incredible opportunity for any athlete. Every time they represent their country, it is certainly special, but an Olympic Games is just a different level,” said Webster.
“The amount of exposure that our game will obtain and the number of girls and young children who now dream of that platform and that stage is incredible.
“In a scenario of that size, you can see it. And if you could see it, you could be … hopefully it is something that will be maintained and there will also be future opportunities for our softball players.”
All players have great dreams, but for now they are content to absorb the experiences that come with the Canada Games, which included marching in the athlete parade during the opening ceremony and enjoying the hospitality of St. John’s.
“There are so many people here and so many sports fans and it’s really great, because this is such a small place and we are assuming control and they are very pleasant about it,” Betune said. “It’s a really great thing.”
