It is easy to see how much playing for Canada means to Corrine Doornberg.
Her love for her country is there for all to see thanks to a small Maple Leaf tattoo behind her ear.
And the 21-year-old from Langley is hoping to once again wear the red and white for Canada this summer.
Should she make the team, it will mark the third time she has represented her country, previously playing at the world junior championships in 2007 and then again with the Canadian senior women’s team in 2010.
“I love Canada, so why not?” she said about the decision to get the tattoo, which matches one a fellow ball player and friend also got.
Doornberg is currently in Oklahoma City, attending tryouts for the past week with the other potential senior national team players.
The final roster will be announced tomorrow (June 22) and Doornberg is vying for a spot either as a second baseman or right-fielder.
She has previously played for Canada at the junior level — in 2007 in The Netherlands — and the senior level — two years ago in Venezuela.
“It is an awesome experience and definitely makes you proud to play to play for your country,” she said.
“Wearing the jersey is just so special.
“It is for your family and friends and all your coaches. Without them, you wouldn’t be where you are.”
This past season — her senior year with the Ole Miss Rebels softball team — made Doornberg realize just how much she loved the game.
On scholarship at the University of Mississippi after graduating from Brookswood Secondary in 2008, she had great freshman and sophomore seasons for the Rebels, hitting .315 and .356, respectively.
But her junior year was cut short after 25 games because of shoulder surgery.
“We didn’t have that successful a season so it was tough to sit there and watch,” she admitted.
“I was so excited to be back and playing again.”
Doornberg had a solid senior year, finishing second on the team in hits with 42 and third in runs with 27. She was also fourth with a .273 batting average in 53 games.
“When she got on base, she usually scored,” said Rebels coach Windy Thees, who was in her first year as Ole Miss coach.
At five foot, three inches and 115 pounds, Doornberg may be diminutive, but she has speed.
“Her speed is obviously her best asset; she is very quick out of the box and a very tough out,” Thees said.
But Doornberg also brings an infectious energy to the team.
“What a great personality and a great person to have on your team,” the coach said. “She has so much energy, it flows out of her.
“Her excitement ... really energized our team because sometimes (the game) can get monotonous but she always had a smile on her face.”
Thees anticipates success for Doornberg wherever she ends up.
“She is going to be successful in life whether it is on the field or whether it is in the office setting,” she said.
“(Corrine) has a understanding of how to do things and is one of the smartest players I have coached.”
Doornberg’s smarts extend to the classroom.
She graduated with a degree in civil engineering and a minor in business.
She was also one of 64 recipients of the school’s highest academic honour, the Taylor Medal. It recognizes the top one per cent of the student body and to be considered, students must have a grade point average of at least 3.9.
Doornberg is in the process interviewing for jobs in the Lower Mainland, but she is hoping to put off work until August.
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The Canadian national team will play in three major events: the U.S. World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City (June 28-July 2); the Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch Women’s International Championship at Surrey’s Softball City (July 4-9); and the ISF women’s world championships in Whitehorse (July 13-17).