17-year-old Jadyn Plett from Mitchell was part of Team Manitoba that participated in the recent Canada Summer Games, and the star says she really enjoyed the experience.
Canada Summer Games
"It was so fun," Plett says of representing Manitoba on the big stage. "It was unreal at first, I don't think I realized how big of a deal that it was to represent Manitoba as the first girls baseball team at the Canada Summer Games. It was a fun, and cool experience."
The selection process
It's been a long road to get to the games, but Plett says she's tried to enjoy it every step of the way. "We had base tryouts in the fall, then we trained all throughout winter, leading to final cuts in May. It's been a year long that I've been practicing for this."
Having it be so long of a process wasn't hard on Plett, but she says the tough part was having it come to an end. "It was fun and it was bitter sweet at the end, because we trained for a year, and then it's a week, then it's over. But, it was all very fun, and a good bonding experience for the team."
Softball start
Plett traces her playing roots back to the sport of softball, and got into the sport thanks to a family member. "My dad played softball when he was younger," she says proudly. "So I think that translated. He worked really hard with me in softball, and then two years ago when I started baseball, he was so supportive. He's been really good with helping me practice at home, and with all my softball and baseball teams that I've been on."
Building a skillset
Over the years, Plett has turned into a dynamite player, something she says she's put a lot of work into, but also came to it naturally. "I didn't realize I could pitch in baseball until a year and a half ago," she says with a chuckle. "When I realized I could do it, it was just a really cool and fun experience to realize that I had more skills then I thought I had. It was fun to learn something new, and be really good at it."
Making the team a family
Getting onto Team Manitoba was a huge accomplishment for the Mitchell star, and Plett says it was quite the experience. "I think it was really nerve racking at first, because those first few tryouts, you're aware you're trying out for a national level team, and you really want to showcase your best. After a while, you get comfortable with everyone, and it becomes a part of your weekly schedule. It's going to be hard without it now."
Making some great friends is also a part that Plett really cherished. "It was so amazing, I loved my team this year. It was one of the best teams I've ever had in the sport. Everyone loved everyone, we just had a good time. It was really fun, and I loved hanging out with those girls."
"It's all about bonding," Plett says of spending time together away from the diamond during the Canada Summer Games. "It brings everyone closer together, it's like your second family. You spend multiple days a week with these girls, and it just becomes a daily part of life. I love them."
7th in the country
Team Manitoba finished 7th, quite the accomplishment, but Plett says the team feels like they left a little on the table. "It was so fun, and I think our team could have done better, but in the end, everyone tried their best. We won and lost as a team. It was a really fun experience to be out there with these girls that I love."
The future
There's more that Plett plans on doing, as the sensation is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. "I will be trying out for U19 Eastman Wildcats softball, and I will be on a 19U women's baseball team for Team Manitoba, and I'll probably try out for school ball, as well."