“I was actually a walk-on to the team. I wasn't recruited or anything like that. I just thought I'd try out and I ended up making it.”
Now Mackenzie Siddall, a second-year kinesiology student from Windsor, Ontario, plays the outfield and pitches for the Thunderbird softball team.
Siddall didn’t come to UBC with a plan to play softball, she came because of the academics and the city.
“When I was younger, I sort of did all of the sports and then softball and hockey stuck for a while. Coming into university, mainly I was focusing on my education, but I thought I could try out for softball because I was a bit better at that than hockey.”
It shouldn’t be too surprising that Siddall ended up playing softball. Her father, Joe Siddall, played catcher for the Montréal Expos, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers. Over four seasons, he played 73 major league games. He was also worked on the Toronto Blue Jays radio and television broadcast.
“He definitely had a big influence,” said Siddall. “I love the game. I've been playing my whole life.”
Siddall’s path to UBC has been far from certain. As well as being a walk-on, Siddall learned to play the game with one hand.
Siddall said a lot of people ask her if playing softball is a challenge but to her it's second nature and she has't let anything slow her down. She played in 26 of the ’Birds’ 41 games last season, had a fielding percentage of .966 and allowed just three runs in her six innings pitched.
“I don't really see myself as different or having disadvantages on the field. I chose to play this sport,” said Siddall. “I don't totally remember how I taught myself to transfer my glove and all that. That was a long time ago, it's just become a habit now.”
A teammate recently confessed to Siddall that she hadn't even noticed Siddall only had one hand until the second day of tryouts, a testament to Siddall's prowess on the diamond.
“If you have your mind set on something, do it. You can do anything you set your mind to. It might take a little more work, but at the end of the day, you can do anything you want to do.”
With a laugh, Siddall says people have told her that her parents should have made her play soccer.
“I like the challenge. It's normal for me now.”
Siddall and the team have been training all year for their season that starts next weekend when they take on Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. The team practices four days a week and has three sessions a week in the weight room.
February 19 marks the first time the team will take the field since their 4-0 exhibition only season in the fall.
“Practice is good, but we are excited to play.”
The softball team, which recently sued UBC to regain its varsity status, had home games in White Rock last year. Of the only two home games, both were in Delta.
Siddall and the ’Birds don’t let their lack of presence on campus get in the way of their training or playing though.
“It would be cool to have a fan bus or something to come out and support us because we are so excited to have home games this year. I mean, we were on the road the whole time.”
“It's going to be very interesting this year.”