Baseball BC Launches All-Girls League in Surrey Park to Grow Female Players
Baseball BC is making history by introducing the first-ever all-girls baseball league in British Columbia. The league, set to kick off in June, will provide young girls aged seven to 12 with the opportunity to play the sport they love in a supportive and empowering environment.
Located at Lionel Courchene Park in Surrey, the league will run for eight weeks, with games scheduled on Saturdays. This initiative aims to encourage more girls to get involved in baseball and foster their passion for the game.
Scott MacKenzie, director of operations at Baseball BC, and Team Canada player Liz Gilder are leading the charge in organizing this groundbreaking league. Both believe that it is time for girls to have a league of their own in the province.
Registration for the league is still open, with two divisions available (U9 and U12). Interested players can sign up on the Baseball BC website. Additionally, a special event, the Amanda Asay Jamboree & Festival, will take place on May 11 in Burnaby to honor the late national team player and pioneer of the girls’ game.
Gilder, a Team Canada pitcher, emphasizes the importance of providing girls with the opportunity to play baseball alongside their peers. She hopes that the league will help girls build confidence, leadership skills, and a love for the sport.
With the launch of this all-girls league, Baseball BC is paving the way for the growth of women’s baseball in the province. The ultimate goal is to create a supportive and inclusive space where girls can thrive both on and off the field.
As Gilder aptly puts it, girls’ baseball is at a pivotal moment, much like women’s hockey was a decade ago. The potential for professional women’s baseball leagues is on the horizon, and it all starts with initiatives like the all-girls league in Surrey.
Surrey Canadian Baseball Association has generously offered their park to host the league, further demonstrating the community’s support for female athletes in the sport. This groundbreaking initiative is set to make a lasting impact on the baseball landscape in British Columbia.