Team Canada 16u Soaking Up the Atmosphere, Into the Semis of TC International Challenge

​WESTMINSTER, Colo. – Coming off a tough loss in the final game of pool play in the morning, Team Canada had to turn the page, and turn the page quickly. Heading into single-elimination bracket play, Team Canada had no time to feel sorry for itself or let the result linger.
 
The team did just that, knocking off a competitive Central America team, 6-2, to advance to the semifinals of the 16u Triple Crown International Challenge where they will take on Team Polynesia, the defending champs.
 
“As long as we stay focused, we’ll be good,” said Team Manager Mike Travis. “We had a little off game this morning against Mexico and lost that one, but the kids regained their focus and played a good ball game. Central America played a good ball game. They would have been an easy team to look over, but our girls kept their focus and played well.”
 
For Team Canada, it has been an experience unlike any other, and one that they are trying to take full advantage of. Flags are waving, the fans are loud and engaged, it’s an atmosphere to soak in.
 
“You don’t see this excitement anywhere else,” said Travis. “Each of these girls is playing for their country. They are playing for their home country, they are playing for their grandmothers and grandfathers and parents who come from these countries, so they really put a lot of effort into it. This by far is the most fun and the most exciting tournament that I’ve seen in a long time. This is my first year coming down here coaching, and the excitement of every game, every at bat, it’s untouchable.”
 
Despite coming together recently and not having a lot of time with each other, the team looks more and more comfortable with each game.
 
“It’s the camaraderie that helps,” Travis said. “We do a couple of things, getting the girls together and getting them to know one another. We had one day of practice and then we played a couple of scrimmage games. We are coming into this new as a coaching staff too, so we are getting to see the girls play for the first time and see what they can do. The big thing is the bonding that these girls have done down here. It’s not only the bonding with just our team, but bonding with other teams. They’ll never be able to get to do this again; this is a great thing.”
 
Team Canada will look to keep the good times rolling on Sunday at Noon when they take on the defending champs, Polynesia.
 
“We are just going to play our game and stay focused,” said Travis. “If we stay focused and stay focused at the plate, we’ve got a good ball team and anything can happen. Both teams better be on their toes. I know our girls will be ready for it, we’ll get them ready and mentally focused, and I’m sure they will too.”