Jul 13, 2025 | Amy Culliton | 9 views
Interview with Heather Ryder
We were so excited to sit down with Heather Ryder- a former Sebringville Sting player who is now part of Team Canada's Womens Slo-Pitch team. From local ball fields to the national stage, Heather's journey is a great reminder of where hard work (and a love for the game) can take you.
Sebringville Sting (Amy): Can you take us back to your first days playing with the Sebringville Sting? What do you remember most about that time?
Heather Ryder: I remember growing up playing for the Sebringville Sting when we were just little. It was such a fun environment. You'd go every day with the local kids you went to school with. A lot of the coaches were parents, so it felt familiar and comfortable. It was just a really positive experience overall.
Amy: What made you first fall in love with softball, and then slow pitch?
Heather Ryder: Softball was an outlet for my competitive nature. As I got older and started playing slow pitch, it brought me back to that team environment. I developed a new appreciation for being part of a team and the value that can bring to your life. It’s still competitive to a degree, but now I really value the time with teammates.
Amy: Was there someone in Sebringville who influenced your game or mindset early on?
Heather Ryder: My dad coached me growing up, and that had a big influence. He loved softball. But as I got older, Don Scott really stood out—he was my pitching coach and an amazing person.
Amy: When did it first feel real that playing for Team Canada was a possibility?
Heather Ryder: Honestly, even when I made the team last year, I had imposter syndrome. I didn’t feel like I belonged. But once I got to Oklahoma and played with the other girls, I realized I did belong. It was never something I was actively chasing—it just sort of happened.
Amy: Can you take us through the different places and levels of softball you played before joining Team Canada?
Heather Ryder: I started with the Sebringville Sting, then moved to travel ball—played seasons in London, Kitchener, Cambridge, and a couple of years in Guelph. That led to university ball. I went to Hampton University in Virginia first, then Butler Community College in Kansas, and finally finished at Buffalo. After that, I played a season near Amsterdam in a semi-pro league. I took about five years off, and eventually got asked to join a Super Series team in Dorchester, which led to Team Canada.
Amy: What were some of the biggest challenges moving from local ball to Division 1?
Heather Ryder: The learning curve was huge. You feel like a small fish in a big pond. It can be intimidating and hard to find your place. But going in with confidence and a strong work ethic made a difference. You don’t always have to be the best, but if you’re the hardest-working person in the room, you’ll get opportunities.
Amy: Describe the moment you found out you made the national team.
Heather Ryder: Honestly, it was anticlimactic. I just opened my email and saw a message from someone I didn’t recognize. It said, “Congratulations, you’ve been selected for Team Canada.” I was shocked. I think I called my parents first. It was surreal.
Amy: What positions do you play?
Heather Ryder: In slow pitch, I mostly play infield—first base is my main position.
Amy: How has representing Canada changed your perspective?
Heather Ryder: I'm very proud of it. It made me realize people notice what you do. You’re not just representing yourself, but your team and your country. It’s made me more mindful of my behaviour and attitude—whether it's running on the field, handling mistakes, or supporting teammates.
Amy: Looking back, what role did small-town ball in Sebringville play in shaping you?
Heather Ryder: Sebringville gave me the foundation and love for the game. It’s where I learned the fundamentals and first had teammates. When the game isn’t fun now, I can always think back to that little girl who truly loved it. It helps remind me why I started.
Amy: What’s something you know now that you wish you knew back in your Sting days?
Heather Ryder: Attitude and work ethic go further than skill. Someone might be more talented, but if you're the hardest worker and coachable, people want to invest in you.
Amy: What advice would you give to current Sting players?
Heather Ryder: Don’t let anyone outwork you. You can’t control talent, but you can control effort and attitude. That’s what matters most long-term.
Amy: Do you have a funny or embarrassing story?
Heather Ryder: Oh yes. A couple of years ago, I hit a ground ball and was sprinting to first. My body got ahead of my feet, and halfway there I knew I was going down. I wiped out—face first into the dirt. Skinned my hands and knees. I think I was out too, which made it worse. It was silent. Just my pride hurt.
Amy: What’s one item we’d always find in your ball bag?
Heather Ryder: Hi-Chew candies. I always have them. It’s a little sugar boost between innings.
Amy: What’s your ultimate hype track before a game?
Heather Ryder: I’m not the team DJ, but I love listening to some kind of mix—it's a DJ mashup of popular songs. It always gets me pumped in the car.
Amy: What’s your go-to celebration after a great game?
Heather Ryder: Probably not minor-ball appropriate—but let’s say a cold drink,* referred to now as “ ice cream”, officially. Yes, “ice cream”!
Amy: What’s one memory of Sebringville that always comes to mind?
Heather Ryder: Weekly ball games and then walking across the road to the general store for ice cream. It was a ritual.
Amy: Would you ever come back to coach or do a guest practice with the Sting?
Heather Ryder: Absolutely. I love working with the little kids. I’ve done some pitching coaching before and would definitely be up for more.
Amy: What does it mean to inspire the next generation of players from your hometown?
Heather Ryder: I really hope I do inspire them. Softball gave me so many life lessons, friendships, and experiences. If even one kid goes on to have those because of something I did, that would mean a lot. My advice is to dream big and work hard. Just because you’re from a small town like Sebringville doesn’t mean you can’t achieve big things.