It was the opportunity of a lifetime for Katie Heppner, who was able to dawn the Maple Leaf with the Canadian Women's National Baseball team for its summer development program.

"The experience was awesome, playing against girls who have been on the team for years, being able to represent your country, and playing against the U.S.," said Heppner. "Getting advice from them and the coaches, it was an amazing experience."

Heppner was one of a handful of players chosen to play on a prospects team in Windsor at the 2017 Women's Invitational Championship.

Thirty-one players from the Women's Invitational were chosen to compete in a four-game series against two teams from USA Baseball.

"When I found out I made it to Washington I was speechless. I didn't know what to expect. If I was going to make it or not, I really had no idea. The way they posted the final roster, was with a video on youtube. They were writing everybody's name down," said Heppner. "The suspension was unreal and it was just amazing to see your name up there. Seeing all of these girls who have been on the team for how many years. Girls that you heard about when you were a kid and now you're playing with them it was so surreal."

The 31 players were split into a pair of teams and played a handful of games against the United States National Women's team in Washington DC.

"Being able to put on the Canadian jersey and to play against the United States. That's a feeling you dream about since you were a kid. So, that was really awesome," explained Heppner. "Playing with these girls who have been on team Canada for 14 plus years and their advice to you. It was just so cool. Playing against them and being able to represent your country was so cool."

The schedule of games against the United States is below;

August 9 Canada Maple 13 USA Stars 7
Canada Leaf 4 USA Stripes 4
August 10 Stars and Stripes 8 Canada 4
August 11
Canada 12 Stars and Stripes 5
August 12
USA 4 Canada 4
August 13
USA Stripes 11 Canada Maple 5
USA Stars 9 Canada Leaf 3

"Definitely there was faster pitching and better breaking balls that you saw at the plate. There was a little bit of an adjustment," said Heppner. "You have to work on your hand speed and getting to the ball quicker. In the field, it was pretty normal because I like the higher tempo game and playing against boys who played at the Canada Games. I'm kind of used to that high tempo. Those games were very competitive and it was really nice to be able to play at that caliber and with those girls. It was great."

Up next for Heppner is to go home and work the skills the coaching staff would like for her to shore up on for the next season with hopes of getting better and good enough to play with the National Team in the World Cup next year.

"There was 31 of us at this summer development program and they take 20 to the World Cup. Obviously, it's going to be hard to crack that roster because they have a lot of returning players and there was a lot of great players in Washington. It will definitely be hard, but I think if I work on all of the things they told me to work on and keep practicing and playing high caliber ball. Who knows maybe I could make that team going to the World Cup next year."

Heppner stated at this time the World Cup tournament location hasn't been chosen yet. She added to be able to join Team Canada at it and compete against other countries and the worlds best would be amazing.

"Going with that team would be so cool. Even to represent your Country, even if you did play bench the whole time would be such an amazing experience," said Heppner.