Chloe Moore steps up to the plate, stares down her pitching coach and then rips a deep, fly ball into the outfield.
She loves that feeling, and can’t wait to chase it again when Team P.E.I.’s women’s softball team competes at the Canada Games in August.
The squad has been training since September, and the players like their chances.
“It’s a little intimidating, but I think we have it in the bag,” said Moore, an outfielder. “I think it’s going to be way more competitive and exciting to play really hard teams.”
Team P.E.I.’s women’s softball team is ready to take a crack at gold in next month’s Canada Games. They’ve been training for almost a year, and now it’s time to swing away under the brightest lights in youth sports. CBC’s Connor Lamont brings you their story.
The coaching staff is also feeling good.
“This is probably the most talented group of girls’ softball players I’ve ever been a part of,” said coach Chris Halliwell.
“They just work.”
Halliwell said he’s not concerned that P.E.I.’s player pool is smaller than that of other provinces. The team practices three days a week and participates in lots of tournaments.
“We’re an aggressive, attack mode team,” he said. “Some people think softball is slow, but our team is extremely fast and we like to play fast and aggressive.
“Our team will go with no fear. We won’t be afraid of anyone.”
‘A good challenge’
For most players, the Canada Games in St. John’s, N.L., will be their first.
Even though the softball competition features some of the best under-19 players from across the country, the Island athletes can’t wait to step up to the plate in Newfoundland.
“I think it’ll definitely get more challenging but it’ll be like a good challenge for our girls to be able to play harder competition,” said centre-fielder Ailah MacDonald. “We’ve played a couple other Canada Games teams and we usually hold our own against some of the bigger provinces.”
It’s feels so much better winning with your family.— Carly Gauthier, Team P.E.I.
For catcher Carly Gauthier, a trip to the games brings back memories of her first time competing in a national softball championship.
“I was really nervous at that, but the more you play the more you feel not nervous about everything,” she said.
“Since I’ve been to nationals and all that other stuff, it doesn’t make me feel as nervous going to the Canada Games. Kind of more excited than anything.”
Halliwell said the experience will mean a lot to the players, especially since it will be the only trip to the Canada Games for many of them.
Tight-knit group
One of the team’s biggest weapons is how close the players are. Many of them have played together since they were very young.
“Everyone is always supporting each other, and backing each other up on the field really helps us win games,” said MacDonald, 18.
“Even if it’s like the third or fourth game of the day, we often have each other’s back and we keep going. Basically it’s really fun and we always have a good laugh.”
Gauthier agrees that the players are akin to sisters rather than teammates.
“It feels so much better winning with your family,” she said.
For the coaches, it’s an honour to be a part of the team.
“They’re all their own individuals and it’s been awesome getting to know them and being a part of the journey,” Halliwell said.
“There’s characters, there’s some serious kids, but they all like to have fun and they all really support eachother.”
The 2025 Canada Games begin Aug. 8.
