Girls left the Okanagan Softball Camp as better players and better people. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
For Paige Allin from Peachland, softball is her life, and she’s only 13.
“I just love ball so much . . . it’s like . . . in my blood,” she told the Chronicle last week at the Okanagan Softball Camp (OSC) in Oliver.
Allin was one of 52 girls age 12-16 who took part in the annual camp coordinated by Carolyn Bell, a high school teacher and former Team BC player.
Allin said her whole family plays ball, noting that her uncle won a gold medal at the Pam Am Games.
Bell didn’t mind boasting that this summer’s OSC had the best coaching lineup anywhere in North America. For example, she pointed to Jenn Salling, who recently won a gold medal at the Pan Am Games.
Next up is Danielle Lawrie, former All-American pitcher who is originally from Langley, and Lauren Lappin, former silver medalist in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Bell and her coaches are passionate about improving the game of softball in Canada and giving something back to the girls.
Bell said there aren’t enough good coaches out there, so it’s nice to have Salling, Lawrie and Lappin as good female role models for the girls to look up to.
Bell stated the girls are not only leaving as better ball players, but better people overall.
In a time when many young girls are struggling with anxiety and low self-esteem, the camp teaches self-confidence and respect for others.
As a teacher, Bell is all too familiar with the hurtful attitude of some girls, but she believes the camp is making a positive impact on these young women who must work together as a team.
“There is so much opportunity for them in softball. You can achieve anything you want,” Bell said.
Shelby Betker from Prince George is only 14 but has been playing softball for nine years. She currently plays for the Prince George Thunderbirds.
When asked why she chose softball over any other sport, she said it’s the speed and challenge of the game.
Thea Palmer, who also plays for the Thunderbirds, said she learns something more every year at OSC. “It helps me improve, and I’m learning new positions.”
Palmer agreed that confidence is everything.
“If you go up to bat and you’re not confident . . . . (guess what will happen?).”
Ciara Foster from Alberta said she is learning the importance of sportsmanship and respect for her teammates.
Foster admitted that she suffers from anxiety and coming to camp where you don’t know anybody is tough. But she said the camp breeds respect and paves the way for personal connections in a venue where everyone is equal; no one is better than anyone else.
“It makes you work together,” Foster pointed out.
Salling said she respects what Bell is doing with the girls at OSC and she wants to be a part of it.
“I want to give back and share my knowledge of the game . . . any chance you can make a difference in someone’s life and see the impact.”
Salling said the best thing about these young girls is the fact they are sponges for knowledge and are willing to learn.
Although Lawrie lives in the US, she enjoys helping the game of softball in Canada.
“I like being able to connect with the girls and really helping the Canadian talent pool.”
Lawrie said the opportunity for these girls to play college softball is huge.
Lappin said the camp has established a culture of teaching the girls how to be better people through a chosen sport. It also gives them exposure to different stories that could influence them to move on to another level.
By Lyonel Doherty
