Written by JASON PETERS
Citizen staff
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Tuesday, 17 June 2008 |
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And, this time, Asay has a bigger accomplishment in her sights.
"We're going to bring home the gold," she said with a grin. "It's definitely a possibility, we just need to pull it out. We were right there the previous World Cup. We had beaten both Japan and the U.S., who finished ahead of us. It was just the rest of our tournament that didn't quite go as planned."
In 2006, Asay was selected to the World Cup's all-star team and was later named Baseball Canada's female player of the year. Andre Lachance, Team Canada's manager, considers Asay a vital component of this year's club.
"She's key," Lachance said. "One day she could be behind the plate, the other day she could play first base. She can DH -- she's the heart of our batting lineup. She can hit with power. People don't realize that Amanda is one of the best players in the world."
Asay and Lachance -- who is from Quebec City -- were present at a Tuesday media conference at Prince George Citizen Field. The gathering was held to discuss preparations for the 2009 World Baseball Challenge, which will be held in the same park.
Asay, a graduate of College Heights secondary school, recently finished her second year at Brown University in Providence, R.I. She wore the school colours in hockey and fastball and actually gave Lachance reason for concern when she broke a collarbone in late March.
"I was diving into third base," said the 20-year-old Asay. "I originally fractured it and then, a couple days later, it broke the rest of the way through when I wasn't really doing anything."
Lachance was a worried man when Asay sent him an e-mail, informing him of her injury.
"It was one of my bad days," he said. "I was a little bit scared but now she seems to be back playing.
"I'm happy that her rehab from injury is going well."
So far this spring, Asay has been playing in the local women's fastball league and in the Prince George Senior Baseball League against the men. She's a member of the
first-place BID Construction Grays.
"It's going very well," she said. "The Grays have been great to me. (Manager) Ken Wood has helped me out a lot. He's been able to slot me into some positions, which I've been greatly appreciative of. And the guys have also been great. The teammates have been very receptive to me.
"I don't know what I'm batting (for average)," she added. "I haven't had too many at-bats yet but I think I have a couple hits. Hopefully I'll bring it up a little bit more."
Asay has played at first base, second base and has even pitched a game.
Asay will attend the women's national championship tournament in Nova Scotia in July. At that time, the official team for the World Cup will be chosen.
Just before Team Canada heads to Japan, it will step to the plate against Team USA in Los Angeles for a couple exhibition games. The U.S., Japan and Australia are expected to give Canada its toughest tests at worlds.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 October 2008 )
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