Some of Canada’s top young baseball players are stepping up to the plate in Moncton this week at the 2026 16U Girls National Championship. Ten teams are competing, representing each province. Each roster includes approximately 15 to 17 players, along with three or four coaches. Tournament chairman Mike Doucette said the event is also helping Moncton prepare to host the Canada Games in 2029. “Between the City of Moncton and Moncton Minor Baseball, we decided to do a tune-up event that actually turned into a two-year event because we’ll be hosting this event next year,” Doucette said. Team New Brunswick begins its tournament Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. against Prince Edward Island. Players spent part of the morning watching the competition before taking the field themselves. Coach Mike Matchette said it gave the team a chance to see the level of talent at the national tournament. “They can kind of get a glimpse of the top of the game and the skill set that some of the girls possess,” he said. “Our girls too, have some pretty good skill sets. That really shows where they can be and how girls’ baseball has grown and really has become a very competitive game.” New Brunswick player Grace Matchette has witnessed that growth during her own time in the sport. “Starting off, there were not very many girls in general and competition started low,” she said. “It’s grown a lot since the years that I’ve been playing.” For teammate Mia Allen, the journey began in Cap-Pelé, the hometown of late Major League Baseball pitcher and New Brunswick sports legend Rhéal Cormier. Allen said baseball presents a challenge she hasn’t found in other sports. “The one thing I like about baseball, a lot of sports I’ve played, it’s easy to master,” she said. “This one, there’s always something to think about. You can hit the perfect pitch, you can throw the perfect pitch, and your opponent can just be better than you. You know, I just like that.” The level of play is also leaving an impression on coaches. “Seeing a level of baseball that’s really, really professional and really well executed, the expectations are high, and in a good way for the competition,” Mike Matchette said. The tournament semifinals begin Sunday at 11 a.m. The bronze-medal game is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by the national championship game at 6 p.m. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
