Moncton school's softball team celebrates playing, not winning

For the players on Edith Cavell School's softball team in Moncton, the seasonisn't about the stats, or wearing the right cleats, or even winning.

Instead, the middle school team is focused on the joy of the game, spending time with their friends and sunflower seeds in the dugout.

Teacher and coach Josh Hebb said most of his students haven't had the chance to play extracurricular sports, so this league, which plays its games on the baseball fieldsthree kilometres away,was a big opportunity.

I've never heard of it. I'm like, 'What is baseball,' and then I played it ... and then I loved it.- Masa Al Asmi, Grade 8 student

"We're kind of an innercity-ishschool and transportation rightafterschool is a bit of an issue or barrier for us. So to be able to walk over we're fortunate to beclose enough to thefieldsthat it's adecentwalk,but we get there."

While most players tumble out of minivans for the after-school games, the 13 Edith Cavell players, dressed in their purple jerseys,make the trek together.

"I like the walk because I walk with my friends and we talk about anything and everything and we would be ready for the game and not nervous," said Grade 8 student Masa Al Asmi.

The team said reaction from other players, who pass them on their way to the games,has been positive, and they have joked about getting a trumpet to announce their unique arrival.

"It is non-stop chatting," Hebb said, laughing. "We get to know the players a little bit better, they get to know each other better, so it's enjoyable."

No tryouts required

Malcolm Mealey, a Grade 8 student and one of the pitchers for the team, said this is the first time he's played organized softball and he loves being able to compete with other schools.

"I have played catch with my parents and my sister and I'vealways been interested, soI was really excited when the softball team kicked off."

MeanwhileAl Asmi had never picked up a baseball bat or a glove.

"I've never heard of it. I'm like, 'What is baseball,' and then I played it ... and then I loved it."

Baker, who is part of a men's softball team during the summer,said it is wonderful to share the sport he loves with his students.

"It's nice to just spread sportsmanship and all those great things that come along with team sports, and we don't get to do it very often," he said.

"Everybody has a chance to play no tryouts ...you're more than welcome to be part of it."

Arabic cheers from dugout

Two of the players on the team, including Al Asmi, are Syrian refugees who arrived in New Brunswick about a year-and-a-half ago.

Al Asmioften cheers in her first language, andsaid taking part in activities has helped her to find her place.

Our first game we didn't score any runs and we got, I think, one or two hits. In our last game we scored two runs and we got a couple hits, sowe'remakingprogress.- Josh Hebb, softball coach and teacher

"I'm from Syria and I'm loving it here. It's so much easier and it's easy to fit in," she said.

"I love sports and I've never had the chance to play like that."

While the team has yet to win a game, Hebb said no one is hanging their head.

"It's about the experienceand it's about doing the best you can and it's about growing as a person.," Hebb said.

"Our first game we didn't score any runs and we got I think one or two hits. In our last game we scored two runs and we got a couple hits, so we'remakingprogress and there's small victories that you can celebratewithinthe larger game and that's what it's about."

'It's just a game'

Mealy said he is a competitive person, but he doesn't let himself get carried away with the score.

"I always just remind myself to just have fun and appreciate the moment, so I don't find myself being super upset that we lost."

The team goes through two bags of sunflower seeds every game, and AlAsmisaid she always leaves feeling happy.

"It's just a game," she said. "If we lost I was not thinkingthat we lost, I was thinking that we had so much fun."

Hebband Baker agree that getting to know their students better and being able to share a love of sport with them are well worth the time at the end of a busy school day.

"If you listen toMasatalk about the opportunity to play sports ... andMalcolm, who is now is getting an opportunity to be involved in extracurricular sports to me those are super valuable experiences that they won't forget," saidHebb.

"And I'm just glad I can be a part of it."