“The second tryout was invite only, and they selected a few players from the open tryout camps to attend. From there, they selected both the 20-athlete roster and the 16-athlete roster that will compete this summer and fall. I would say most of the athletes were from Ontario and BC but there is representation through the prairies with both myself, and Morgan Rackel who is from Calgary, Alberta.”
Everything happened quite quickly at the second camp. Hicks said they concluded the camp in the early afternoon of June 18. Within a couple of hours, the squad was announced to the players. Hicks made the cut and felt she had made a good impression defensively and showed her potential at the plate.
She said she is currently working at first base and in right and left field. These are where Hicks spent most of her college career so she is comfortable with this.
Hicks has played for her country before, and said the honour is a unique one.
“It is hard for anything to compare to representing your country,” she explained. “The Women’s National Team is made up of the best players in all of Canada and this is a huge accomplishment for me. I have donned the leaf before, both in 2017 with the Junior Women’s Program as well as with the Women’s National Team for baseball and the honour is mind-blowing every single time. This really means so much to me because it has been a goal of mine to play on this stage since I started finding my passion for softball around the age of 14-15, and proving to myself that the goals I set for myself are attainable, is huge for my confidence.”
Coming from someone who has accomplished so much, this is a big statement. Not only was she part of the women’s ball program at Louisiana Tech, Hicks has spent the last couple of years with the Dodgers’ organization. Last year, she said her role was to fulfill responsibilities with data and tech and find the direction she wanted to grow into. This year, she is in the role of “baseball technology associate”, working with data programs like Hawk-eye and Trackman. She also has more responsibility in the hitting department with their Arizona complex team as well as on-field coaching. Hicks has also had the chance to visit the team’s baseball campus in the Dominican Republic and learn from there as well.
“My time with the Dodgers has been an absolute dream come true. The organization is truly the best in all of baseball and I am insanely blessed to be a part of it.”
Boissevain is getting a name for itself for its baseball program and developing strong players. Hicks said it has been a very supportive community for her, and she gives a great deal of credit to her father Al for her development. She said he taught her that nothing is impossible, it is just that you have to find your own route there. She thanks him for giving her the attitude to put herself out there and not stay in her comfort zone. Boissevain means everything to their whole family and she is proud to represent it.
Hicks said the national team stayed together since camp, and will be heading to Nashville to play exhibition games. They will then move on to Italy, where they will play their first game on July 22 against the Philippines. The Boissevain product is definitely looking forward to the trip and making a contribution to the squad.
“I hope to gain experience and direction for where I can contribute and what areas that I can improve upon to help the team. We are a strong team with a good mix of experienced veterans and new, younger players so I am excited to get between the lines and see everything come together.”
“I could not be more excited to wear the red and white this summer while playing the game that I love,” Hicks added. “I am not sure what’s next for me as I am trying to be fully present in each moment as it comes, but I do not plan on packing it in any time soon.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff