CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — George Drover turned to some of the Island’s top female softball players as he looks to get his team ready for next year’s Canada Games.
The Stratford Truck and Auto Repair Stars were gearing up for a busy summer of seeing strong competition in advance of the 2021 Games in the Niagara Region of Ontario.
“We had a pretty big schedule planned for the summer,” Drover said. “We were going to the United States twice to play, we had a trip to Montreal booked and we were playing the Maritime Canada Games training teams also.”
Then the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic struck in mid-March and uncertainty for the summer ball season grew. When they were finally able to get back on the field, the issue was finding quality competition to push the under-18 age group without being able to travel.
They have played an all-star squad of players who have competed at the Canada Games in 2017, 2013, 2001 and 1993.
The @Team_PEI training team getting a game this morning in Charlottetown against an all-star squad comprised of many players who played at 2017, 2013, 2001 and 1993 @CanadaGames pic.twitter.com/OPfgA7v4ye
— Guardian Sports (@SportsGuardian) August 15, 2020
“We were pretty lucky,” Drover said, noting the importance of seeing the skill level and strong pitching the women have. “Defence-wise, you have to be pretty quick to the ball or these girls are going to take those extra bases. (Our) girls just know playing against this group, they have to be ready to play every game.”
The Stars currently have an 18-player roster, but only 15 can play at the Canada Games, so a couple decisions will have to be made.
Drover likes the makeup of the squad, which has players from North Cape to the Cardigan area.
“The girls have been dedicated,” he said, noting “a lot of them started work this summer.”
Drover’s coaching staff includes Chantel Lavigne, Seth Hood and Mike Bishop. Bishop is handling the pitching staff and also throws batting practice, mixing in his rise, drop and changing speeds.
“He throws quite well (but) the girls have adjusted,” Drover said. “It’s been great to have somebody like that able to come out and work with the girls.”
Roster
A look at the Stratford Truck and Auto Repair Stars’ roster. The squad is also the 2021 Canada Games training group.
Player Hometown
Abby Hustler St. Louis
Ally Hustler St. Louis
Andrea Caron Summerside
Ashley Cullen Cornwall
Belle Ashley Northport
Emily Thistle Green Bay
Gracie Hackett North Cape
Jamie Jenkins Charlottetown
Kassie Birt Seven Mile Road
Kate Doyle Stratford
Kylee Campbell Summerside
Lindsey Drover Suffolk
Madi Gallant North Winsloe
Marley Gaudet Tignish
Neely Johnston Stratford
Sophia Jeffery Charlottetown
Taylor Blackmore Tignish
Zoe Stewart Pleasant Grove
Coaching staff
Head coach George Drover
Assistant coach Chantel Lavigne
Assistant coach Seth Hood
Assistant coach Mike Bishop