Ottawa, Ont. - Softball Canada is pleased to announce the list of athletes who have been selected to represent Team Canada at the Women’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle. The Canadian Women’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle team will be looking to defend its title after winning the inaugural Women’s event in Oklahoma City last summer. This year’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle will be played in Kitchener, Ont. from July 27-29.
Team Canada will play a series of exhibition games before they take on Team USA in a one-game showdown at the Women’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle on July 29th.
"Any time you get the chance to wear a Team Canada jersey it is very special" said head coach Tony Carnelos. "We have assembled a great group of talented players and to be able to defend our title and represent our country in Kitchener in front of our friends and family will be a tremendous honour."
The list of athletes selected to participate was chosen by the coaching staff and a panel of Slo-Pitch experts from across the country. Performance at provincial, national and international events was used as one of the major contributors to the selections.
The coaching staff will consist of Tony Carnelos (Georgetown, Ont.) who will serve as the head coach with Kelly Hryniw (Ardrossan, Alta.) serving as the assistant coach, with both returning from last year’s winning squad.
The following athletes have been chosen to represent Canada at the 2018 Women’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle:
ATHLETES
| FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | HOMETOWN |
| Kaitlin | Anseeuw | Simcoe, Ont. |
| Jackie | Bates | Langley, B.C. |
| Erica | Burns | West Lorne, Ont. |
| Tina | Gulbrandsen | Langley, B.C. |
| Tonya | Gulbrandsen | Langley, B.C. |
| Kiera | Lyons | Ryley, Alta. |
| Michelle | Lorenz | Toronto, Ont. |
| Jacqueline | O'Quinn | Toronto, Ont. |
| Jessica | O'Quinn | Toronto, Ont. |
| Patricia | Simon | Big Horn, Alta. |
| Paige | Smith | Gretna, Man. |
| Kearstin | Solberg | Ryley, Alta. |
| Ashley | Steckle-Klunder | Brantford, Ont. |
| Lenny | Stoddart | Bolton, Ont. |
| Charity (Fez) | Verboom | Shannonville, Ont. |
COACHING STAFF
| POSITION | NAME | HOMETOWN |
| Head Coach | Tony Carnelos | Georgetown, Ont. |
| Assistant Coach | Kelly Hryniw | Ardrossan, Alta. |
| Team Leader | Ryan DeBelser | Prince George, B.C. |
| Manager - National Teams | Mike Branchaud | Ottawa, Ont. |
The full game schedule will be announced at a later date, culminating with a doubleheader featuring the Women's and Men's Border Battles between Team Canada and Team USA the evening of Sunday, July 29.
Ticket prices have been set at $25.00 (CDN) for the full weekend pass and $10.00 (CDN) for a day pass. Tickets will go on sale through the Softball Canada website and at the Kahunaverse Sports locations in Mississauga and London on May 1st.
