On the ride home, Tanelle Smith was absolutely beaming.
She wasted no time in sharing her spectacular news with her peeps.
"I probably told every single one of my friends, in all caps lock: 'GUESS WHAT GUYS!' They're probably done hearing about it now," the 16-year-old Smith said with a laugh.
The word Smith was spreading, as quickly as she possibly could, was that she had just been selected to play for a Canadian all-star team at a major softball tournament in St. George, Utah. After a practice in the Lower Mainland, she had gone from being an alternate to having a roster spot.
"It was the best feeling ever," she said.
"I've always dreamed about being on a high-level team, playing for Team Canada or representing my country. Last year at this time I never thought I could be on a team like this."
The life-changing practice was in late April. A couple weeks earlier, Smith had been at a tryout camp with about 50 other players. At that point in time, she was rusty because ball season hadn't even started in Prince George yet. To make matters more difficult, she still wasn't 100 per cent recovered from surgery to have a Baker's cyst removed from her knee.
But, at the second session, Smith was her usual speedy self and did some great work with the bat. She became one of 24 players divided among two clubs -- Canada Black and Canada Red. As a member of Canada Black, she'll be in St. George from July 17-22 for the Adidas Futures tournament. The event will include teams from throughout the United States and will be watched closely by scouts from top-level NCAA programs.
In the preliminary round, Canada Black is slated to face Missouri, California, Washington, Arizona and Michigan. Smith normally plays shortstop or second base for the Prince George Jet Label bantam Thunderbirds but said she'll happily fill any role she is given by Canada Black coach, Joni Frei.
"It's going to be a really awesome experience and a really awesome learning experience," said Smith, who recently finished Grade 10 at D.P. Todd secondary as a Principal's List honoree. "All through the practice process and just being on this team I've learned a lot about my ability, stuff I didn't know I could do. To go down and represent the country is going to be fun."
Smith first started playing t-ball/softball when she was only five years old. At the time, her family -- including dad Steve and mom Kathy -- was living in Idaho. The move to Prince George happened when Smith was nine. Locally, her first coach was Crystal Stevens and she came up through the local rep program, where she spent significant time under the tutelage of K-Lynn Hogh.
On Canada Black and Canada Red, Smith is the only player from this region. The rest hail from southern BC or Alberta.
Frei, the Canada Black coach, said Smith will bring plenty of valuable qualities to the Adidas Futures tournament, including her blistering speed.
"Speed doesn't have a bad day, and in softball that's very true," Frei said. "If she puts the ball in play, she's quick enough most of the time to be able to beat the ball out. I see a lot of raw talent and potential in her. The purpose of this tournament is to be seen, and we'll give her that opportunity down there."
Frei, who lives in Vancouver, is also impressed by Smith's positive attitude.
"The fact that she and the family drive 10 hours to be down here whenever we have practice shows me that she really wants it," Frei said. "The fact that she's willing to make that commitment, and her family as well, makes me want to do whatever I can to help her get the opportunities she deserves."
