The provincial 16U female baseball team representing the province at the national 16U female tournament will have six players from western Newfoundland wearing its colours against the best in the country next month in Vaughnn, Ont.
The girls who are eager to show how they stack up against the rest of the country include Brooklyn Childs of Corner Brook, Bethany Brophy of Pasadena, Shontal Patey-Callahan of Corner Brook, Rhiann Ward of Corner Brook, Hailey Companion of Corner Brook and Shilo Chislett of Kippens.
The Western Star talked to the players about the exciting venture earlier this week as they continued to smack the ball around the diamond while waiting to shine on the big stage.
Brooklyn Childs, Corner Brook
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
It’s my fourth time doing it and every time it means a lot. It’s a big deal to me. It’s not easy to do it, but you go up and you show a lot of pride for your province and you have fun doing it.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
I think I bring solid defence and I can bring some offence. I hope I will be able to say that I had lots of fun and I gave 100 per cent effort.
Shontal Patey-Callahan, Corner Brook
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
I feel and honoured and proud to represent my province. I’m just happy because my two best friends — Brooklyn Childs and Hailey Companion — are going with me so that makes it even better.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
I think I have to be supportive no matter what, even if we’re losing and just be there for my teammates. On a personal level I just want to have a laugh and be happy because it’s all for fun.
Bethany Brophy, Pasadena
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
This will be my second year representing Newfoundland and Labrador at a national level and being able to participate in this has been a huge confidence builder in not only my confidence in the game but my self-confidence overall. I have worked hard to get to this level and being able to know I am one of the top players in my province and represent them at nationals makes me proud of the player I have become. This means so much to me to participate in this and I hope to make my province proud.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
I can see myself making a contribution in many ways. I am a team player. I have lots of experience and I can play any position I am needed in. I will help my team represent Newfoundland as best as I can. Going up to nationals I hope to further advance my skills by playing at such a high level of baseball with hope of being noticed for possible college opportunities through baseball.
Rhiann Ward, Corner Brook
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
I’m pretty proud. We get to go up and say we’re Newfoundlanders and show them what we got. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s going to raise our level of play because the girls who are playing up in Ontario and some of the other provinces are a lot better than we are here so it’s going to make us come together as a team and be better.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
I think my positive attitude will be great when things get rough. I hope I can do my part to help the team get at least one win out of it.
Hailey Companion, Corner Brook
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
It is an awesome feeling. It means a lot to be picked to represent Newfoundland on the national stage. I’m honoured to be part of this team standing next to an amazing group of athletes.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
Just by supporting and cheering on everyone even if it’s from the sidelines or behind the plate. My favourite position to play is catcher and I want to play the best I can to help my team win some games.
Shilo Chislett, Kippens
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
Representing my province at nationals is such an honour. I’m a young player so making the team is a great opportunity for me.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
I see myself contributing by playing my best and supporting my teammates both on and off the field. I hope to come home a better player with some wonderful memories and new friendships.
[email protected]
Twitter: WS_SportsDesk
