The COVID-19 pandemic nearly ruined his dream. The sanitary measures imposed by the New Brunswick public health have made it difficult for athletes to train for over a year.
I even intended to quit hockey and really pursue baseball
, lance Payton Sanipass. But, after COVID, my motivation was down. All national competitions in addition to tournaments have been canceled.
These events are often an opportunity for young people to make themselves known.
Business is slowly picking up and Payton is hoping that will work in his favor. Because, on a baseball diamond, the young man feels happy and loves the challenge that sport brings.
For example, on the mound, he faces a batter he wants to take out. Confidence is just as important as athleticism.
If you think you can’t stripper out (pull it out on three takes), if you don’t have self-confidence, that’s not going to happen. Being a pitcher is a mind game, a mind game. If you have the confidence that you can take that batter out, you’re going to take him out on three strikes.
Proud of its origins
He grew up in Saint-Antoine, in eastern New Brunswick, and now lives in Dieppe, but Payton is also a proud Mi’kmaw athlete.
In fact, National Indigenous History Month, which ends on June 30, inspires her.
It’s just, to be really proud to be who I am, proud to be Mik’maq, and not to be afraid to show it
, he mentions. He wants to write his own story in this way, no matter what happens.
I like to represent the natives, the Mi’kmaq, by playing baseball. Ain’t no big Mi’kmaw players playing baseball around here
, he adds.
Sportsman, from father to son
Her father is Everett Sanipass of the Elsipogtog Mi’kmaq First Nation. The former National Hockey League player played for 164 games with the Quebec Nordiques and the Chicago Blackhawks (of which he was the first-round pick in 1986).
Everett Sanipass played professional hockey from 1987 to 1993 with Chicago, Quebec, Indianapolis, Saginaw and Halifax.
Photo: NB Hall of Fame
Everett owns a restaurant in the community of Elsipogtog. The father gave some advice to the son if he wants to further his athletic career.
First, work out in the gym, then socialize with people who aren’t going to bring you down, who have the same goals as you. Because, if they have the goals, you will match the best
, added Payton Sanipass.
Payton Sanipass, during a batting exercise.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Ian Bonnell
However, it’s not always easy to be proud of your heritage and roots. Racism is present in sport, even if we like to say that sport brings people together.
Payton has heard racist epithets and lived through times of division. He chose to stand, but it still makes him think.
I don’t like to hear that because I know there are members of my family who are going to be offended. It hurts me, it hurts me.
Sometimes racism is in the second degree, in the unspoken or when its back is turned, he says.
There was racism, much more in hockey than in baseball
, relate Payton Sanipass. In baseball, there was more respect. But, still, there were places, with a few coaches, where you could tell something was going on.
Jamie Carpenter and Kylie Francis are two members of the Elsipogtog Hockeyville committee. Payton Sanipass is proud of their work.
Photo: Other image banks / Guy Leblanc
The teenager knows that all is not dark. The silver lining is the victory of the Elsipogtog First Nation in the Hockeyville National Competition. The project to rebuild the community’s arena received the most votes in the country.
It made me proud! It makes the world a better place. We get along more, not just because of race, we all love each other, we’re all human. It feels good to see that.
He also knows that he is well surrounded by his teammates. In the Mudcats team, we love his smile, his joie de vivre. He is the joy of coaches because of his discipline.
Payton Sanipass hopes the effects of the pandemic will wear off and return to normal. And, let’s all agree. I’ll be glad.
