A Delia ballplayer has her sights on Team Canada after she helped lead Alberta towards a national bronze medal in last weekend.
Outfielder and pitcher Saige Hall, 17, led Team Alberta in batting average at .444 as they claimed bronze at the Baseball Canada Senior Women Invitational Championship in Red Deer from August 25-29. Team Alberta beat Quebec 8-5 on the last day of the tourney, with BC beating Ontario to finish first.
“We were happy to bring home some hardware,” she said.
Hall, who regularly plays midget AA boys baseball with the Strathmore Reds, contributed to Alberta’s third place finish by notching four hits in nine at-bats in four games. It was the first time she was invited to represent the province and had to chance to play with experienced players as old as their early 30s.
“I learned a ton from them. Just kind of how to be mentally prepared for games and how to take what you learn on the field and use it in everyday life,” Hall said.
“They’re a really big inspiration for me, too. Seeing how they worked with the program to get where they are today. Two girls on the team were doctors, and just seeing them succeed in their careers, as well as baseball, was cool for me to see. They were encouraging and pushing me throughout the weekend.”
Scouts for Team Canada were in attendance and Hall is hoping to fulfill her dream of representing the country one day.
“Ever since I kind of realized there was a Team Canada Baseball, since I was 13, it was what I wanted to do.”
“There were a couple of 17-year-olds who got chosen, but I guess I need more experience after playing with and against the girls that made Team Canada. It’s definitely an eye-opener for me to see where I need to be development-wise and training-wise to make Team Canada.”
With fall here and the baseball season over, Hall will be putting what she learned to use over the off-season and plans to play for Team Alberta, and hopefully Team Canada, next year.
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