For the first time ever, women’s baseball is stepping up to the plate at the Canada Summer Games — and Team Manitoba is loving every moment of it.

We caught up with three of our rising stars — twin sisters Olivia and Josie Miller (Headingley) and Gemma Strutynski (Oakbank)— as they soaked in the atmosphere, energy, and history of this national stage.

“It’s honestly pretty cool,” said Olivia, who pitches and plays outfield. “I don’t think I fully realized how cool this is to be here. It just feels… extra exciting.”

The excitement is shared by her teammates, especially after the opening night. 

“The game last night was really hype,” said Josie, who splits time between first base and the mound. “It was a really good start to the Games.”

For Gemma, who plays third base, outfield, and pitches, it’s a her-story moment. 

“It’s great for girls’ baseball to be recognized in this way. It all feels perfectly planned out.”

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From Manitoba Games to the National Stage

All three athletes competed in the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games, and say that experience helped shape them into the team they are today.

“It was fun - we didn’t really have a close connection with our teammates because we were all on boys teams,” Olivia shared. “Now, it’s much different, we’re a family and here it just feels more connected to each other.”

Josie added, “We made so many memories, like all your friends you end up making, and you can go see their games and see them do something they love. It was good preparation, and it was good starting there because it wasn’t as big as all this.”

Gemma agreed: “It’s way more exciting because you just don’t get that bond with the dudes. The Manitoba Games atmosphere and all that was the perfect way to prepare for something much bigger.”

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More Than Just A Game

From watching that historic first game to building pre-game rituals — like Olivia always playing catch with Gemma, Josie saving her belt for game time, and Gemma putting her left shoe on first — the team is building memories that extend beyond the diamond.

And while making the Canada Games roster may have once seemed like a dream, it was always part of the plan.

“For the last two years, I’ve had it in my brain that we were going to try to make it here,” Olivia said. “Manitoba Games gave us a glimpse into what it could be like at the Canada Games, and being here now is super exciting.”

A New Era for Women’s Baseball

As history unfolds at the Games, they know they're part of something huge. 

“I feel like we’re really paving a way for everyone else,” said Josie. “It’s fun — and it’s only going to get more fun.”

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