Already a huge fan of the sport of baseball, Melody Lavergne could not imagine an opportunity to share that love with others very much in her image.

Yet that is exactly what the MBL (Major League Baseball) Trailblazers Series camp hosted in Vero Beach (Florida) last month provided.

Gathering together 90 participants covering off 23 different states and a handful of 11-13 girls from north of the border as well, the three-day event hosted at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex aimed to foster an increased interest in baseball for the likes of Lavergne and her fellow participants.

"We did a lot of training, had practices and played games for fun," said the 12 year old Sudbury area resident who was first introduced to the sport in Capreol at the age of just six.

"They helped us a lot to learn sportsmanship, how to be a good person in the game."

That was no coincidence.

The seventh annual rendition of the MLB sponsored camp takes place, in part, on Jackie Robinson Day, the message of inclusivity a prominent one as the young ladies learn of his enduring legacy in the game.

This opportunity was hardly front of mind some six years ago when Lavergne first slid her hand into a baseball glove that she would don both at second base and in left field.

"I don't remember a lot because I was only six but I feel like running the bases was something we always did," said Lavergne, a grade 7 student at Ecole publique de la Découverte in Val Caron.

From there, she would migrate to the Junior Voyageurs program, honing her skills even more. "The Voyageurs helped me a lot with my catching, mostly with ground balls."

As for the camp itself, there were numerous memories to be made, new friendships to be forged as one of only five Canadians attending the Florida festivities.

"I had a roommate from Tennessee (Kenzie) with a bit of an accent," said Lavergne with a smile. "I was nervous at the start. I wanted to make sure that she was nice and everything - but I got comfortable with her very fast."

As for specific takeaways, Lavergne focused heavily on making the most of each and every appearance at the plate.

"Sometimes pitchers can get me if they throw two strikes because I'm thinking the next one will be good and I swing at it, even if it's outside the strike zone," she said.

As for what she remained most thankful for as she made her way back to Canada, Lavergne summarized the experience with a short reply that rant true for pretty much every girl on hand.

"It was just a chance to play baseball - and that's good."