In honour of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, and to highlight the achievements of women in a sporting landscape often dominated by men, over the next month the series StrongHer will shine a light on four female athletes from the Okanagan who lead by example.
A fourteen-year-old pitcher and shortstop specialist from West 琉璃神社 is carving her own path in B.C. baseball.
"I just let my playing do the talking," said Emma Lecompte when asked what it is like to be one of the only girls playing AAA baseball in B.C.
Lecompte grew up with two active, supportive and hardworking parents and was exposed to many sports as a child. Before she could run around the bases like she does now 鈥� or even walk 鈥� she crawled around baseball fields until she could swing a bat at two years old.
"I just grew up around ball fields," she said.
Now, Lecompte can often be found alone at dawn with a bucket of balls practicing her pitching and swings at a nearby field before school 鈥� and on top of multiple team practices each week.
"Baseball is about finding consistency in a game of failure," she said.
It is a pure love of the game that drives her gritty work ethic.
Lecompte has competed with Team B.C., plays on the , won B.C.'s female player of the year award and is a key member of
"I just have to make my own pathway," said Lecompte about her future goals, past successes and desire to play a male-dominated sport at an elite level. She said that she lets her skills on the diamond speak for itself and has always been respected by the other players on the teams she has played for.
She said her coaches, parents and teammates inspire her and drive her to be the best player she can be.
While Lecompte does spend a lot of time grinding with her head down and working hard, she also takes the time to mentor other girls in order to grow the sport that she loves.
"Mentoring other women is rewarding," she said.
She said there is a movement across North America to grow women's baseball, and she is excited to be a part of the expansion.
Team YOLO, which is comprised of girls from across western Canada, recently competed at an all-female tournament in Arizona and won silver against international heavy-hitters.
"It is so amazing to be able to play against other girls on an all-girls team," she said.
She said that while she has a ton of fun playing on the AAA 15U Sun Devils, where she is one of only two girls on the team, she loves playing with other women.
"It is a lot more fun," added Lecompte with a laugh.
She said that it is the other YOLO players and coach Kristy Watson who make the team so much fun.
There are many new opportunities for women's baseball opening up now, said Lecompte. She encourages everyone to push themselves to be the best person and athlete they can be.
"Just go for it," said Lecompte.
