Team Nova Scotia Athlete Profile – Fundy
Mikael Fields loves baseball, and this summer she hopes the rest of Canada will join her in celebrating what young women like her bring to the game.
“I’m so excited to get the word out because women’s baseball isn’t really talked about that much. Men’s baseball, I hear it all the time.
Baseball has been part of the Canada Games since the very first summer games in 1969, but this year will be the first to feature a female baseball tournament.
“I’ve become such a better person because of baseball,” Mikael says. “I literally fell in love instantly. My first year with Team Nova Scotia, I was so quiet, I wouldn’t say anything. And now you can’t get me to stop talking when I’m there. I’m so glad that I tried out.”
On top of being part of this historic moment for female baseball, 16-year-old Mikael is excited to represent her province and her hometown of Shortts Lake, Nova Scotia.
“It’s amazing just to see the Nova Scotia logo across my jersey and I get to show people that Nova Scotia is a respectful, positive and outgoing team. It means a lot to me.”
Going to the Canada Games will be added to Mikael’s already impressive list of accomplishments, which includes being named the Baseball Nova Scotia Minor Female Athlete of the Year in 2022 and co-winner of the same award in 2023.
“Mikael is a multi-sport athlete who is a leader both on and off the field,” says Dean Lee, head coach of the 16U Girls Canada Games Team. “Mikael listens attentively to her coaches and work tirelessly during games, practices, and training sessions to improve. Mikael is a team player who has a work ethic that is infectious. She leads by example shows the utmost respect for her opponents, her coaches, her teammates, and the officials.”
Mikael learned she made the Canada Games team in late 2024 and says when her parents told her the news she danced around the house. With the team finalized well in advance of the Games, the players have had plenty of time to bond.
“We went away for the 16U Girls Atlantic Cup tournament and we got to room together. We did a bunch of team bonding stuff and it was so much fun. I’ve never played on a team where we are this close,” she says.
The team won that tournament 7-2 over Newfoundland and Labrador.
The close-knit baseball community is one of the reasons she loves the sport so much, but she also enjoys the challenge.
“I fell in love with pitching and how you really use your mind. It’s all a mind game trying to read the hitters and read how everything is. I find that part really stuck out to me.”
Growing up Mikael played many sports including volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball, but she got started with baseball in part because her older brother played.
Following in his footsteps, she has been playing for the Hants North Minor Baseball Association, but over the years Team Nova Scotia has given her the chance to play on all-girls teams. And for any young girl who is considering trying baseball, Mikael says don’t hesitate to start.
“I would tell her to try it; there’s nothing to be afraid of. The people are so amazing. You’ll meet so many new people and you’ll develop so much.”
