2019 marks the thirteenth year for Melissa Basilio as a member of the coaching staff for National Team Program. She began her coaching career with Team Canada in 2006 as an Assistant Coach with the Canadian Junior Women’s Softball National Team that participated in the Junior Women’s Softball World Championship in Enschede, Netherlands in June of 2007. She served as the head coach at the 2013 Junior World Championships in Brampton, Ontario and in 2015 in Oklahoma City.

In 2009 she was named as an assistant coach to the senior Women’s National Team, and has helped helm Team Canada to numerous international medals, including gold at the 2015 Pan American Games on home soil in Toronto, which was Canada’s first gold medal finish at the games since 1983.

A four-year collegiate softball player for the University of Delaware. She was an outstanding defensive third baseman at Delaware with a quick glove and strong arm. In four seasons she committed just 18 errors. She played in and started over 175 games, which ranks among the top five all-time at Delaware. Basilio also finished among the all-time Top 10 leaders in at-bats and became the 17th player in school history to reach 100 hits or more in a career.

After completing her college playing career with a degree in Health and Exercise Sciences, the Pickering, Ontario native was named to the coaching staff at Winthrop University where she served as assistant coach for five seasons from 2005-2010.

Q&A

What Minor Softball Association did you grow up playing in? The Markham Tigers
What’s your favourite food? Chicken rice bowls
What’s your favourite TV show? Friends
What’s your pre-game ritual? Drink at least 2 bottles of water
What’s your favourite place that softball has taken you? Japan.  It’s just better than all of the other places!
If you could spend an hour with anyone in the world, living or dead, who would it be and why? My dad. It’s been a while since we chatted!