The Abbotsford Outlaws - a '94 fastpitch team comprised of girls from everywhere in the Fraser Valley except Abbotsford - have a sister act.

Langley siblings Rebecca and Ashley Lemay are part of an Outlaws team that is currently competing in the 2012 Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship, running June 30 to July 9 in Surrey.

The Outlaws are in the Futures Select division, playing against teams from around the province.

This is 18-year-old Rebecca's third year with the Outlaws, and she is joined by 16-year-old Ashley, who is playing on the team for the first time.

Ashley likes the Outlaws' chances at the tournament.

"I love my team and I think we're going to go all the way," she said. "We want [to win] so bad and I think were going to do really, really good."

Rebecca said cohesiveness is the secret to the team's success.

"We all get along which is really important," she said. "We all work together."

Ashley played rep B in Langley the past few seasons but was given an opportunity to move up and play at the midget level with the Outlaws this year.

She embraced the opportunity, keeping her older sister on her toes.

"It's weird having your sister on the same team," Rebecca said.

"It's very different but at the same time it's fun," Ashley said.

Rebecca, who mostly plays centre field, has enjoyed playing with Ashley, one of two catchers on the team.

Being teammates gives the Lemay sisters built-in support and practice partners during the off-season.

. . .

The Canadian Open tournament is the largest of its kind in Canada and among the top three in the world.

This year, more than 90 teams from 14 different countries will be playing in more than 300 games over the course of the 10-day tournament.

The event is a precursor to the world's top fastpitch competition, the 2012 ISF Women's World Championship, which is being held the following weekend in Whitehorse, Yukon.

In addition to drawing the world's best national teams, the Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch event will feature a Women's Elite Division with both national teams and international club teams competing including China's Liaoning women's softball team and youth teams from Great Britain and Peru; a Future's Division (under 19) with both a gold and select level; and a Showcase Division (16 and under), with both a gold and select level.

For event info and park locations, go to www.canadianopenfastpitch.com.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com