By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Julia Jodouin is just playing the game she loves.

The world of baseball has a predominant male influence but that hasn’t stopped the girl from Sudbury from trying to compete at the highest level she can regardless of gender. That commitment has led her to be the only woman on the Laurentian University mens baseball team that competes in Ontario University Athletics.

Her baseball journey started like many others.

“I have been playing baseball since I was nine years old,” Jodouin said. “I started off playing house league and after a few years of that, I noticed how much I loved the game and that I wasn’t half bad so I tried out for Sudbury’s rep team.”

Jodouin was the only girl on that rep team for three years. Following her stint playing with the boys in Sudbury she discovered the 16U Ontario girls team where she spent the next two seasons.

This seems to be a good time to pause and acknowledge just how successful women’s baseball has been in this country. Look no further than Baseball Canada’s women’s national team that is currently ranked second in the world behind Japan by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

Jodouin was eligible for a third year on the 16U Ontario team but made the switch to softball. When she joined the Waterloo Ghosts fast pitch team she had her sights set on a scholarship south of the border, but something about playing softball just didn't seem right.

“After a year and a half of softball, I decided my heart belonged to baseball,” she said.

She didn't miss a beat upon her return to baseball, as she joined the Ontario women’s 21U team and recently the Team Ontario senior women’s team.

It shouldn't be surprising that a university program would be interested in someone with such a decorated baseball resume but women playing in the OUA is almost unheard of. So how did she end up on the campus of Laurentian donning a Voyageur uniform you may ask? This is where we introduce Brody Jeffery, head coach of the Voyaguers, into this trailblazing tale.

“Coach Jeffery had approached me,” Jodouin said. “We had a discussion about my thoughts on playing for Laurentian’s team. I had thought about it and immediately knew it would be a great opportunity to develop as a player to help me achieve my goal of making the Women’s National Team.”

Jeffery played a pair of seasons at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala. He followed that up by staying south and playing two more seasons at Martin Methodist in Pulaski, Tenn. Jeffery is also the Director of Player Development at The Baseball Academy in Sudbury, the same facility Joudoin has spent hours honing her craft.

Deciding to attend Laurentian and play on the baseball team was a no brainer.

“I had a good feeling about it,” she said. “After I had decided I would go to Laurentian, I was pumped to be offered a spot on the team.”

Another former player and current coach that calls The Baseball Academy his office has also had a major influence on Jodouin. Jean-Gilles Larocque has played all over North America. Making stops in college at North Lake Junior College in Irving, Tex., Paris Junior College in Paris, Tex, California State University Chico in Chico, Calif. and West Virginia State University in Institute, W.V. He followed his college playing days by suiting up for the Stratford Hillers and Brantford Red Sox of the Intercounty Baseball League. Larocque knows Jodouin has what it takes to compete with the men in the OUA.

“Julia is a hard working young women with a lot of determination. She is truly a trailblazer in our community for other young girls,” Larocque said. “Her willingness to learn will keep her around. She is always looking at getting better.”

Larocque, who also has an impressive coaching career that includes being a guest coach with the gold medal winning Ontario Youth Team in 2012 and a coach with Ontario Black at Tournament 12, is impressed with the Jodouin’s smarts on the diamond and ability to do what she needs to to be successful.

“Julia plays well on both sides of the ball. Defensively she plays first base, third base and pitches. Most of her time has been spent at first base lately,” he said. “She has a very high baseball IQ which has helped her defensively as well as offensively.”

Plenty of people have helped her along the way.

“Thanks to people like Andre Lachance (former Women National Team Head Coach) giving Julia opportunities,” he said. “She has a very supportive mother. Her father must throw batting practice eight days a week to her and her brother is helping and guiding her along the way as well.”

Her brother Ethan is currently a sophomore first baseman at Cleary University is Howell, Mich.

The Nickel City star certainly appreciates all the work her coaches have put in, including Larocque.

“Jean-Gilles Larocque has been a huge part of not only my development,” she said. “I started training with him at the Baseball Academy at a young age, and he treated us like family, because we were a type of family. He provided and still provides guidance to many, and he definitely grew the game for us players up in the North. He has always had my back, and through this process he has been there for me as well. I believe that I would not be the player I am today without him. But he won’t say that, he’s one of the most humble men you’ll ever meet.”

Jodouin acknowledges that with the women’s team she is more of a power hitter, while at Laurentian she focuses more on situational hitting. No matter where she plays she tries to bring a positive attitude and puts emphasis on being a good teammate. She knows she still has a lot to work on if she wants to progress to a higher level.

“Being in such fast paced games will be beneficial when it comes down to knowing the play and situation and where to go with the ball faster than before,” she said. “Also being exposed to faster pitching and more off speed stuff will be good for increasing my hitting to a new level.”

Even though playing with the boys is something she has done before, she still enjoys the challenge. She takes great pride in her mental preparation which allows her to take any added pressure off of herself, which can be important when all eyes are on her.

“It feels pretty cool,” she said. “Having random people stop me and say ‘hey you’re that girl!’. I’m very excited about it, but I’m mostly grateful for the opportunity. Most people like to stop what they’re doing and watch ‘the girl.’ I think positively, believe in myself, and that allows me to just go and play.”

She realizes the opportunity she has in front of her isn't something everyone has the chance to do.

“Women don’t have the same opportunities as men when it comes to sports, so without this team, I’d never be able to play baseball at a varsity level,” she said. “I hope that girls who are wanting to play baseball or who currently do play are proud of themselves, and despite the lack of opportunity, don’t give up.”

Whether you’re talking about between the white lines or in life in general, Jodouin has a simple outlook that anyone can learn from.

“Work hard and show everyone that gender doesn’t matter. Talent is talent.”