Two Central Okanagan baseball players have the opportunity to prove they’ve got what it takes to play for Team Canada later this month.

Kensington Renneberg and Jessie McKay will be travelling to Havana, Cuba on Feb. 14 for a seven-day development camp put on by Canada’s Women’s National Team.

“Playing for Team Canada is my dream,” said McKay, a 15-year-old shortstop and pitcher. “I’m really looking forward to the camp. I’ve put a lot of work into it, and I think I’ll do well there.”

“It’s a big deal,” said Renneberg, 16, who plays first base and also pitches. “No matter what sport you’re playing or what gender you are, it’s a huge deal to represent your country. You’re representing 30 million people, and they expect you to do it well. I’m excited for the experience, and for the chance to represent Canada while playing baseball in Cuba. I know I’m going to be developing and learning lots. It’s a dream come true.”

One plus for the Kelowna girls is that head coach, André Lachance, has seen both of them play – most recently when the tandem was representing Team BC at last season’s 16U female baseball nationals in Quebec, where McKay’s posted an ERA of .000. But the Cuban camp will be a better chance for the veteran skipper to see what the teenagers are truly capable of.

“That (nationals) was the only opportunity that I’ve had. That’s why we created this camp. It allows me and my coaches to be involved with them over an extended period of time – not just watching them play.

“But it also gives us a chance to be with them in the training environment and seeing them surrounded by and performing alongside international-level athletes. It’s totally different than what they’re used to.

“We’re giving these athletes an opportunity to be exposed to different things -- another culture, international level baseball, our national team program, and our national team’s culture. It gives us a better understanding of what they’re capable of on the field, and if they could become a player for the women’s national team in the future.”

There aren’t many vacancies the team is looking to fill at the moment, so competition will be tight amongst the group of 14-18 year old players travelling to the camp. The teenagers will be competing to show they’re capable of someday taking the spots of players who – in some cases – have been with the team for more than 10 years, and are nearly twice their age.

“Last year only one athlete told me she was retiring after the 2015 Pan Am games,” Lachance admitted. “I’m expecting four or five more will retire in September after the Women’s Baseball World Cup in South Korea. Some will stretch their careers longer. It’s good timing for these young players right now, because those approaching retirement give us the opportunity to open the door to new athletes. It’s a perfect chance for these new players to get ready for our team.”

Renneberg, who already knows a few of the team’s veterans personally, is well aware of what she and McKay will be up against while they tangle for the club’s sparsely available roster spots. While they respect and admire the girls already on the team, neither player is intimidated, nor willing to back off and concede a spot to someone else.

“I’ve met some of the women who play for Team Canada,” said Renneberg, a Kelowna Secondary School student. “They’re really strong women on and off the field. They have a great presence, and they’re great leaders with incredible skill. It’s sad that women’s baseball doesn’t get more attention, because these women have such great ability.”

“I know there are a lot of players out there who are better than me, but that doesn’t mean they’re more determined than I am,” McKay said. “I’m going to work my hardest and show them what I’ve got. I know the level of play down there is going to be really good, but it won’t stop me from believing that I can make my dream come true.”

Both girls will certainly have to demonstrate their on-field aptitude for the game in Cuba. But Renneberg, recently chosen as the top female baseball player in B.C. — across both all-girls and boys/girls baseball leagues — knows there’s more to the selection process than just being good at the sport.

“Skill’s a huge deal, but I think the biggest things are your mentality and your attitude,” Renneberg said. “Hustle’s a really big thing at that level too. You’re representing your country, so you have to show some pride – be proud of what you’re doing and hustle on the field — show that you care, and that you’re there to win and do well. You’re there to learn too. There’s always something you can learn.”

Coach Lachance, who has coached the women’s club for the past 10 years and has 20 years of coaching baseball under his belt total, affirms that he is looking for other attributes besides ability in a national team player.

“They have to show that they’re willing to make sacrifices to make our team,” said Lachance. “They have to show commitment. It’s not only about showing up, it’s about working hard in the off-season, and trying to improve from one year to the next. I’m not there to push them locally. They have to show me that they have self-motivation and are dedicated to improving, which will ultimately lead to them contributing to the success of our team. I’m also looking for athletes before players. Athletes with speed and strength, who are disciplined and can contribute – that’s mainly what I’m looking for. Knowing where our holes will be after our retirements, I need to figure out who can contribute and fill those roles best.”

Both girls have been more than dedicated when it comes to off-season training – between them both playing locally with the Kelowna Minor Baseball Association, Mount Boucherie Baseball Academy, their indoor and outdoor training, regular gym workouts with their personal trainer each week, plus time at the batting cages, the girls are already immersed in baseball five days a week or more, year round.

“Baseball is what I do,” said McKay, who attended Mt. Boucherie Secondary School. “Baseball is a place where I can go to have fun, smile, and forget about everything else. There’s no place I’d rather be than the ball field.”

While it is a rarity to find girls like Renneberg and McKay standing out in Kelowna’s local boys baseball scene, it’s not as unique when it comes to the overall talent pool of the best female players in the country. In fact, it would be stranger for players attending this camp to not also be already competing against elite male players in their regional baseball seasons.

“That’s pretty consistent,” said Lachance. “It’s awesome that they’re doing it. You always want to play against better competition. The reality in this country is that playing against boys will give you that advantage. Knowing that the others are doing the same, it’s a big plus, but it’s a matter of who’s taken the most advantage of it.”

Age will be another factor too – the average age of the team’s current players is early 20s, with the oldest player currently 32, and some playing with the club since 2004. Then again, for the right player, age could be a non-factor.

“It’s one thing to have success against girls at the U16 level,” Lachance said. “But when you get to the senior level you play against athletes who are older and more skilled. Cuba will be good for them because we’re going to play the Cuban national team. It’ll be interesting to see if they can hit off national team pitchers, pitch to national team batters, and truly compete at that level.

“As long as you are passionate and motivated, and can contribute, make a difference, and help us win, it doesn’t matter if you’re 32, 40, or 17, I’ll take you. It’s all about making our team better.”

Regardless of how Renneberg and McKay fare in Cuba, the women’s national team will not begin formal competitions until August. But with a little luck, Team Canada’s starting roster may include a Kelowna product or two when the club takes the field this summer.