Canada's women's baseball team making history

Canada has selected 18 women as representatives for its baseball team to play at the 2015 Pan American Games from July 10 to 26 in Ajax, Ontario. The final roster was determined following a selection camp held in Toronto May 10-16.

The Pan Am Games will be a historic event with women's baseball being included on the sport program for the first time ever at a major multi-sport Games.

"Canada is excited to welcome women's baseball to the Pan Am program," said Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "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."

On the international stage, the Canadian women's 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.

Canada's roster features two players who are original members of the program from 2004,  Kate Psota (Burlington, ON) and Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON). Both players have competed in all six IBAF Women's Baseball World Cups including the most recent in Myazaki, Japan in 2014.

"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," Stephenson said. "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."

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.

The athletes who will represent Canada at TORONTO 2015 as members of the Women's National Baseball Team are:

Athletes: 
Melissa Armstrong Saskatoon, SK Pitcher
Amanda Asay Prince George, BC First Base/Pitcher
Jessica  Bérubé Québec, QC Pitcher
Niki Boyd Surrey, BC Outfield
Claire Eccles Surrey, BC Pitcher
Jenna Flannigan Cornwall, ON Outfield
Becky Hartley White Rock, BC Outfield
Jennifer Gilroy Mississauga, ON Catcher
Kelsey Lalor Red Deer, AB Outfield
Nicole  Luchanski Edmonton, AB Second Base
Ella Matteucci Fruitvale, BC Outfield
Autumn  Mills Burlington, ON Pitcher
Heidi Northcott Rocky Mountain House, AB Pitcher
Kate Psota Burlington, ON First Base
Stéphanie Savoie Drummondville, QC Catcher
Ashley Stephenson Mississauga, ON Third Base
Vanessa Riopel Repentigny, QC Pitcher
Bradi Wall Swift Current, SK Shortstop

Coaching Staff: 
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