StrongHer: Inspiring Leadership from West Kelowna’s Rising Baseball Star

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on four remarkable female athletes from the Okanagan. These women are making waves in a sport often led by men.

Meet Emma Lecompte, a talented fifteen-year-old pitcher and shortstop from West Kelowna, B.C. She’s making a name for herself in the world of baseball.

Emma believes in letting her skills do the talking. “I just let my playing do the talking,” she says about being one of the few girls in AAA baseball in B.C.

Growing up in a sporty family, Emma’s love for baseball began early. She crawled around fields before she could even walk, thanks to her dad, who coached her teams until she turned 11.

Now, you can often find her alone at dawn, practicing her pitching and swings. She trains hard, fitting in extra practice before school along with her team sessions each week.

“Baseball is about finding consistency in a game of failure,” Emma explains. Her passion for the sport fuels her determination.

Emma has played with Team B.C., is a star on the AAA 15U Sun Devils, and has earned B.C.’s female player of the year title. She’s also a key member of Team YOLO, the province’s first all-girls travel baseball team.

Looking towards her future, Emma states, “I just have to make my own pathway.” She has a clear vision of playing at a high level in a male-dominated sport. Emma feels respected by her teammates and believes her abilities speak for themselves.

Her coaches, parents, and teammates inspire her every day. While she works hard, Emma also focuses on mentoring younger girls to help grow the sport she loves.

“Mentoring other women is rewarding,” she shares. Emma is thrilled to be part of the movement to expand women’s baseball across North America.

Recently, Team YOLO competed in an all-female tournament in Arizona, where they earned a silver medal against tough international teams. “It is amazing to play with other girls on an all-girls team,” she says proudly.

Although she enjoys her time with the AAA 15U Sun Devils, where she stands out as one of only two girls, Emma finds even more joy in playing with her fellow YOLO teammates.

“It’s a lot more fun,” she laughs, highlighting the supportive environment created by her coach, Kristy Watson, and her teammates.

Opportunities for women’s baseball are growing, and Emma encourages everyone to push themselves to reach their full potential as athletes.

“Just go for it,” she urges.