With more than 30 colleges and universities now offering varsity or club programs across the country, the landscape for women香蕉视频直播檚 softball in Canada has never been more fertile.
On Saturday, Calgary香蕉视频直播檚 will bring their brand of college ball to Kelowna for a pair of exhibition games at Kings Stadium against the Okanagan All-Stars.
The Trojans are members of the five-team . Established in 2003, the WCSA also features clubs from University of Calgary, Briercrest College, University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.
This season, SAIT香蕉视频直播檚 roster included Nina Hendricks, a pitcher with the Dutch junior nationals, as well as WCSA all-stars Hayley St. Germaine, Tori Stavenjord and Alissa Bender.
Trojans香蕉视频直播� head coach and general manager George Edwards expects this weekend香蕉视频直播檚 visit will show young players from B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 interior that pursuing college softball in Canada is a viable option.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 an opportunity for girls in that region of B.C. to see some college ball and realize that they香蕉视频直播檙e not that far off,香蕉视频直播� said Edwards, whose program also features players from Mount Royal in Calgary. 香蕉视频直播淭hey have a chance to chase their dreams right here in Canada. For our team, it香蕉视频直播檚 also a good opportunity to recruit.香蕉视频直播�
Edwards said the WCSA is hoping to soon expand into B.C. and that Kelowna香蕉视频直播攑referably at UBC Okanagan香蕉视频直播攚ould be a prime location for a new club.
香蕉视频直播淲e want to introduce the idea of college softball to Kelowna and hopefully one day we香蕉视频直播檒l see a team at UBC Okanagan,香蕉视频直播� Edwards said. 香蕉视频直播淲e believe Kelowna would be an ideal spot, and maybe even Kamloops香蕉视频直播hey would be good additions to our league.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e watched the league increase in quality, stature and awareness over the years and this would be another step in that direction.香蕉视频直播�
Like most college programs in Canada, the Trojans aren香蕉视频直播檛 funded by their institution and cover their own costs by fundraising and with player香蕉视频直播檚 fees.
Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Racquel Bennett will play for the Okanagan team in Saturday香蕉视频直播檚 doubleheader. The 17-year-old catcher香蕉视频直播檚 options for next season include the University of Calgary or University of Toronto programs.
Bennett is looking forward to connecting with college coaches this weekend and sharing the same field with players who have already made the step into collegiate ball.
香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 an important event for the exposure we香蕉视频直播檒l get,香蕉视频直播� said Bennett. 香蕉视频直播淵ou get a chance to meet some coaches, and with the contacts they have at other colleges and universities, it香蕉视频直播檚 a good way to maybe get some interest.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檒l also be good to see the quality of softball and what it takes to play at that level. It should be fun.香蕉视频直播�
The Okanagan team consists of past and present members of the Kelowna Minor Fastball Society香蕉视频直播檚 Heat programs, as well as players currently attending UBCO.
Players with college experience suiting up for the home team on Saturday are: Rachel Penner, Oklahoma City University; Brittany Smith, Bacone College; Danielle Orr, Seward County Community College; Felisha Vogelaar; Seward County Community College; and Samantha Fillion, Team Canada ID camp attendee.
Rounding out the local all-stars are former and current Kelowna Heat players Racquel Bennett, Haley Martin, Marlayna Martin, Katie Huston, Dani Knopf and Emily Wright, and UBCO student Andi Zehr.
Saturday香蕉视频直播檚 games at Kings Stadium are set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission to both games is free.
To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.
<>
whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
