BARRHEAD – Mia Schuurman is a Team Alberta U14 Girls baseball champion, winning a gold medal at the 2024 Western Canada Championship.
“It was very exciting,” said Schuurman. “It was really cool to spend time with those girls.”
The western play-offs were held in Spruce Grove over the Aug. 16 to 18 weekend hosted by the Parkland Minor Ball Association.
Four teams battled it out over the weekend for the title of Western Girls Baseball Champion.
Alberta played against British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with Team Alberta winning over British Columbia in the final game with a score of 10 to seven.
Team Alberta had played British Columbia on Friday, Aug. 16 and had lost five to nine.
They went on to beat both Saskatchewan and Manitoba, qualifying them for the final game.
Schuurman has been playing baseball in Barrhead for the last four years.
“Baseball just makes me happy,” said Schuurman.
Schuurman played outfield and pitched during her games with Team Alberta and said she prefers pitching over being in the outfield.
Schuurman had tried out for Team Alberta last year but wasn’t successful. But she persevered and made it her goal to get on the 2024 Western Girls Baseball Team Alberta.
“The hardest thing in sports is getting back up,” said Schuurman.
Schuurman practised a lot and improved her skills, showing her dedication as an athlete.
Baseball is definitely in her future says Schuurman.
Schuurman was the only girl in her age group on the Barrhead Oriole team this year.
She applied to the open call for Team Alberta and had to participate in two tournaments to be considered.
There were 80 players who applied in the open call-out for Team Alberta this year.
Schuurman was one of 13 players chosen for the team after completing the two-tournament requirement.
She has her gold medal displayed and is very proud of her accomplishment.
Schuurman says she isn’t that fond of school but is ready to get back at it for next week, going into grade nine.
When she isn't playing baseball, she is on the volleyball or basketball court with her school team.
