OTTAWA- For the first time since 2005 a familiar face will be missing from the Women’s National Team dugout when the program resumes this August. That’s because 12-year National Team veteran Autumn Mills is stepping away from the program that she first joined when she was just 17 years old.
“I’ve been considering packing it in for the past few years but when we got the opportunity to showcase the sport in the 2015 Pan Am Games I knew that was something I had to be apart of,” said Mills who was instrumental in Canada’s silver medal performance at the Pan Ams getting two victories on the mound. “Having the opportunity to pitch two of the biggest games of my life, and one inning short of two complete games was the most fun I’ve ever had on the mound. The event itself was remarkable and although we didn’t have the outcome we had hoped, that entire experience was a few of the best weeks of my life.”
Though she is stepping away from the National Team, Mills is not stepping away from the game that has meant so much to her. She’ll still be playing for Team Ontario and is also giving back to the game through coaching.
“I’ll still be playing competitively with Team Ontario in the Toronto Baseball Association throughout the summer,” she explained. “I haven’t thought about when I’ll decide to wrap up completely, likely within the next few years depending on how life plays out. I’m also coaching a Major Peewee AAA team so although I’m stepping down, I’ll still find myself on a baseball diamond at least 4 times a week.”
Still, it will be a big change for Mills herself and the National Team program losing a pitcher who has logged many important inning in a Team Canada uniform including starts at the Pan Am Games along with medal games at World Cup events.
“Autumn has been a big part of our program since almost day one,” said André Lachance, Women’s National Team Head Coach since the program began in 2004. “She played a big role for us on the mound and was relied upon in many situations over the years. When we needed a win, Autumn was often the arm our staff turned to. There will definitely be a hole to fill.”
Mills’ international baseball resume is impressive considering she’s played in all but one WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup and was part of the National Team when women’s baseball made it’s debut at the Pan Am Games in 2015. Through baseball, she’s has a chance to see the world travelling to Asia, Australia and parts of South America.
“I will never forget my very first trip to Cuba with the team where I was overwhelmed with nerves and excitement,” recounted Mills. “I hardly got to play because I ended up fracturing my ankle within the first few days and that wasn’t even the worst part of the trip because we were caught in a hurricane the next day.”
The adventures that seem to accompany many of the national team trips, the emotion and intensity of playing international baseball combined with the opportunity to represent your country have all played a major role in not only in Mills’ baseball development but in her personal development as well.
“The experience has taught me commitment, perseverance, compromise, teamwork and a desire to want to succeed, all qualities that I carry with me in my day to day life,” she explained. “I believe I am successful as I am in other areas of my life because of Team Canada.”
Above all, the main take-away from her experience with the Women’s National Team program are the people and lifelong relationships she’s formed along the way.
“I’ve met so many amazing people throughout this journey, made life-long friendships, both with people on Team Canada and people from other countries that I never would have met if it weren’t for this game,” added Mills. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunities Team Canada has provided for me.”
Although she will continue to get her baseball fix through playing and coaching this summer, Mills will also get keep her competitive juices flowing by a new passion of hers.
“I’ve becoming increasingly competitive with CrossFit and will be competing in the World Police and Fire Games in Los Angeles in August,” said Mills who’s been a police office for the last four years. “This is something I do 5-6 times a week with a great community in Burlington.”
Women’s baseball has come a long way since Mills began playing with the National Team program in 2005. She has had first-hand experience witnessing the growth of the sport and has been fortunate to play a role in the development of future players.
“It’s amazing to see how far the talent as come and how many more opportunities are becoming available for girls/women in baseball,” she said. “I still think we have a long way to go but I think people finally understand baseball isn’t only for boys.”
Mills has also worked with the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy for the past four years and has witnessed growth for girl’s baseball across the country.
“I remember when I first started that we had a camp that attracted about 20 girls, and last year we held a girls camp at the Rogers Centre and had over 150 girls. I think a lot of this has to do with the Blue Jays success but also the fact that the sport itself is growing for girls.”
Walking away from the National Team program will be a change for Mills and a change for Team Canada. She is leaving on her own terms, proud of what she and the team have accomplished over the last 12 years and with experiences and friendships that will last a lifetime.
“There’s no feeling like wearing your countries jersey, standing on a fresh first base line, holding your hat in hand, staring up at the sun as the national anthem plays before a game that you’re about to start,” she said. “The excitement in combination with the nerves is an indescribable feeling. I’ll miss being apart of that atmosphere and the happiness that comes from a big win.”
