Brynn Hawes describes herself as a strong competitor and leader. (Jack Hawes)

By Ian Holmes

batter up

Softball & baseball provide world of opportunities for Ladysmith teen

May 7, 2022 | 9:10 AM

NANAIMO — Brynn Hawes is on the base path to shape her future through the game she loves.

The 13-year-old Ladysmith Secondary School student, a softball player since she was four-years-old, doesn’t mind a packed schedule of games, practices and training sessions.

On top of playing rep U-17 softball in Victoria, Hawes has taken up baseball on an all-girls squad in Vancouver.

“I would really like to play professional (baseball). Maybe go to college on a scholarship, have my name out there and just make it easier for the next generation of girls,” Hawes told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Baseball is presenting Hawes with many new experience on and off the diamond.

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She was selected to play in a tournament in Japan in 2020, which was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Trying out for Team BC in July and playing in a baseball tournament in Colorado later that month headline a busy summer for Hawes.

“I’m super thankful and grateful for all of the opportunities that I’m getting through baseball and softball, for the coaches and my parents for setting them up for me,” Hawes said.

While constantly traveling to Victoria and Vancouver is a big commitment, Hawes finds her hectic schedule therapeutic as opposed to stressful.

There’s even a batting cage at home for Hawes to work on her swing while not on the road.

“Sports is just kind of a release for me. It helps so much learning to overcome challenges with sports and then I can apply that to my daily life,” she said.

Brynn Hawes was exposed to multiple different sports as a child, but said softball and baseball rose as clear favourites. (Jack Hawes)

Jack Hawes said her daughter’s relatively new interest in baseball has led to new mentors, such as high performance coach Anthony Pluta.

He trains Hawes at a year-round facility in Langford.

Pluta, a Houston Astros draft pick in 2001, is the pitching coach for the women’s national baseball team.

“Anthonty once told us ‘look at baseball and you’ll travel the world and if you want to play softball you’ll get an education.’ I think with Brynn with the opportunities that will come to her she’ll have the opportunity to do both,” Jack Hawes said.

Pluta said while there are vastly more collegiate opportunities in girls softball, community based, post-secondary and professional opportunities are growing.

He said softball and baseball are interchangeable and both lead to a common goal of growth.

“Opportunities are coming and I think girls are seeing that and knowing they can see the choice — they can play whatever the heck they want, Pluta said.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes