Women's Pan Am team named
* The 18 members of the women's baseball competition at the Pan Am Games at Ajax, Ont. on July 10-to-26 have been named. ....
Canadian Women’s Baseball Team Named For 2015 Pan Am Games
18 athletes chosen to represent Canada
TORONTO — The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Baseball Canada have selected the 18 members of the Women’s National Baseball Team athletes who have been selected to represent Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games from July 10-26 in Ajax, Ont. The final roster was determined following a selection camp held in Toronto May 10-16.
The Pan Am Games will be a historic event for the Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team with women’s baseball being included on the sport program for the first time ever at a major multi-sport Games.
On the international stage, the Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team has captured four medals (one silver, three bronze) in six world championship events since the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) introduced the Women’s Baseball World Cup in 2004.
The Canadian roster features two players who are original members of the Women’s National Baseball Team program from 2004: Kate Psota (Burlington, Ont.) and Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, Ont.). Both players have competed in all six IBAF Women’s Baseball World Cups including the most recent in Myazaki, Japan in 2014.
The Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team will hold a training camp and compete in a six-game exhibition series from July 9 to 18 with stops in Québec City, Ottawa and Toronto leading up to the Pan American Games. The women’s baseball tournament will take place July 20-26.
Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with over 700 athletes expected to be named to the Team at the Games in Toronto. With 2015 providing a “Home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will provide a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.
QUOTES
“Canada is excited to welcome women’s baseball to the Pan Am program. These women will make history as the first-ever Canadian Pan Am Games female baseball team and that honour is well-deserved. Congratulations to all of those who made it onto the team.”
Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee
“What a truly amazing moment this is, I cannot wait for history to be made when our women take the diamond for the first time ever at a multi-sport Games. On behalf of the Canadian Olympic Committee and baseball fans across the country, I would like to congratulate all 18 team members who I know will do Canada proud this summer.”
Curt Harnett, TORONTO 2015 Team Canada Chef de Mission
“The opportunity to compete in the Pan Am Games coupled with the fact that the event will be played on home soil is both special and exciting for our Women’s National Baseball Team program.”
André Lachance, Manager, Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team
“It is an honour to be selected to represent Canada at the Pan Am Games. With women’s baseball being included on the Pan Am Games sport program for the first time, I feel privileged to be part of this historic event in our sport. Putting on the Canadian jersey in Ajax in July will be a dream come true and we look forward to putting on a great show for our fans and supporters.”
Ashley Stephenson, Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team
“Some of the top women’s baseball teams in the world will be competing at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. Congratulations to the women who will take to the field and make history as they represent Canada in the first ever women’s baseball competition at a multi-sport games.”
The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)
Athletes:
First Last Position Hometown
Melissa Armstrong Saskatoon, Sask Pitcher
Amanda Asay Prince George, BC First Base/Pitcher
Jessica Bérubé Québec, Que. Pitcher
Niki Boyd Surrey, BC Outfield
Claire Eccles Surrey, BC Pitcher
Jenna Flannigan Cornwall, Ont. Outfield
Becky Hartley White Rock, BC Outfield
Jennifer Gilroy Mississauga, Ont. Catcher
Kelsey Lalor Red Deer, Alta. Outfield
Nicole Luchanski Edmonton, Alta. Second Base
Ella Matteucci Fruitvale, BC Outfield
Autumn Mills Burlington, Ont. Pitcher
Heidi Northcott Rocky Mountain House, Alta. Pitcher
Kate Psota Burlington, Ont. First Base
Stéphanie Savoie Drummondville, Que. Catcher
Ashley Stephenson Mississauga, Ont. Third Base
Vanessa Riopel Repentigny, Que. Pitcher
Bradi Wall Swift Current, Sask Shortstop
Staff:
Position First Last Hometown
Coach Sheen Bromley Edmonton, ON
Coach Christian Chenard Lévis, QC
Team Leader Penny Fitzsimmons Saskatoon, SK
Therapist Raymonde Fortin Montréal, QC
Manager André Lachance Québec, QC
Coach Jean-François Lacroix Montréal, QC
Coach Sam Magalas Burlington, ON
Prior to being named to the final Canadian Pan American Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations towards the end of June 2015.