Skip to content

Sports This Week - Rackel proud of softball effort

Admittedly I do not follow a lot of women’s sports very closely, but one of the exceptions is softball where the Canadian Wild of Southern Illinois fully caught my attention last summer, their first in National Pro Fastpitch.
Calvin

Admittedly I do not follow a lot of women’s sports very closely, but one of the exceptions is softball where the Canadian Wild of Southern Illinois fully caught my attention last summer, their first in National Pro Fastpitch.

It was mostly the same players that made up Team Canada as they qualified for the now delayed Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

The ball is highly entertaining and the women play hard every inning.

So it was rather exciting when I got to throw some questions at team member Morgan Rackel recently.

Rackel is a talented leftie pitcher hailing originally from Calgary, where she got involved in softball almost by genetics.

“Softball has been in my family for generations,” she related.  “My parents actually met playing slo-pitch and my Grandfather coached Women’s Softball in Saskatchewan, so I guess I was destined to become a softball player.”

And it is a sport that has captured Rackel too.

“Softball is such a mentally tough sport. I love the challenge it brings every day,” she said, adding “my competitiveness thrives in that environment.”

It has paid off too for Rackel as she has excelled as a pitcher, which has meant education opportunities stateside.

“My freshman and sophomore year I played at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas. My time there, I won a NTJCAC conference championship, named NTJCAC Pitcher of the Year (2017), and named to NJCAA 2nd All-American Team (2017),” she related.

“I then transferred to NCAA D1 Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. There I was a part of the most winning team in school history.”

During her time there she was named OVC Pitcher of the Year (2018), 1st Team All-OVC (2018, 2019), 3rd team All-Region Central (2018, 2019), and 1st Team Academic All-American (2019).

Oh yes, and she got an education too.

“I studied chemistry on a full ride scholarship all four years,” said Rackel.

But softball remained her focus, joining the Wild in 2019.

“Playing with the Wild was my first time playing with the National Team,” she related. “Being fresh out of college, it was a huge learning experience for me. I was suddenly playing with and against some of my idols like Danielle Lawrie. It introduced me to a whole new level of the game.

“Everyone involved with the Canadian Wild and all of Marion, Illinois was so excited to have us play there, it was infectious. I can’t imagine a better support staff or town to play for.”

While Rackel enjoyed her Wild time in the NPF, and I watched every game online that time and access allowed, the league and sport are admittedly not the highest profile, but can that change?

“Absolutely,” said Rackel. “Women’s sport is on the rise. Softball specifically is growing so much in North America. We need a pro league to allow college players to continue their careers and have the same exposure that the NCAA receives.”

So it was disappointing when it was announced the Wild will not play in the league in 2020 even if the NPF gets back on the field.

“This will be the first summer ever where I am not playing softball,” said Rackel. “It’s definitely a disappointment but there are things bigger than sport that need to take priority. We have to do our part for each other and stay put.”

Still Rackel has Canada’s spot at the Olympics to dream about.

“I will never forget Kaleigh Rafter’s walk off home run against Brazil,” she said. “There was so much emotion behind that play.

“Softball has been out of the Olympics since 2008, and is not scheduled for 2024 in Paris.

“For a lot of the players, that game was our one shot to fulfill dreams of becoming Olympians. We trained so hard for that moment and it all felt worth it. I get goosebumps thinking about it to this day. That is the biggest moment in my softball career.”

So having the Olympics postponed was tough to take.

“When the COC decided not to send Canadian athletes, it was gut wrenching, I won’t lie,” she said. “I was choked up not by sadness, but by how proud I am to be Canadian. I take tremendous pride in the leadership role we have taken as a nation.”

And, then the lifeline came.

“When the IOC came out saying the Olympic Games would be postponed, it was a relief,” said Rackel. “Our dreams are still achievable. I’d like to thank the IOC for the postponement. These Olympic Games are so important to our sport and gives us the opportunity to display everything softball as to offer on the biggest stage.”

So, with time to look at the situation is the year delay bad for Canada, or is there something positive in terms of prep time?

“I only see positives,” said Rackel. “This essentially gives us a redo.

“We have the chance to reflect on our preparation and change anything that needed improvement.

“The postponement lights a fire in me. There may be no better way to move on from this most difficult time than seeing the world brought together through sport the way only the Olympic Games can.

“Team Canada will rise to the occasion to showcase our very best on the international stage.”

As a final question I asked Rackel what she would tell a little girl interested in playing softball?

“Along the way softball has allowed me to grow as a person alongside some incredible women,” she replied. “I have built lifelong friendships because of it.

“When I was a little girl, I had a dream of playing for Team Canada although I started playing softball because of love for the game. That is the same reason I still play today. Dream big! You never know what you are capable of.

“Love the game, love those around you. We are all Team Canada.”

Earlier columns are:

Shattler shines with Saskatchewan Rush

Dawson looking forward to Rattlers return