It was a good road trip, if you don鈥檛 count the thefts.

Fraser Valley Fusion 2006 suffered a series of unfortunate events when they travelled across the border to play in the DeMarini August Classic fast-pitch tournament at North Portland鈥檚 Delta Park on Aug. 6 and 7, their last tournament before heading off to the Montreal national championships.

On their first day in Oregon, someone cut the catalytic converter from the team bus while it was parked in a hotel near the airport.

Coach Kaitlyn Cameron said they were able to get it fixed, quickly.

鈥淥ne of our dads was driving bus, and he was able to find someone to get it repaired that day.鈥�

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On the second day, the team played to a second-place finish, and proudly posed for a picture with their plaque.

About 10 minutes later, they returned to the bus, to discover thieves had struck again, this time making off with backpacks, cash, a laptop, headphones, clothes, and some of the girls鈥� passports.

It appeared someone had forced the bus door open, possibly with a crowbar.

鈥淭he first few rows of stuff [on the seats] were taken,鈥� Cameron told the Langley Advance Times.

Fortunately, the team had copies of the birth certificates for the players whose passports were stolen, and they also had their driver鈥檚 licences, so they were able to get back across the border, after explaining the circumstances to to the Canada Border Services Agency.

鈥淭he customs guys were super awesome,鈥� Cameron commented.

Cameron was philosophical about the trip, saying she had no reason not to return to Oregon, though probably not in a bus.

鈥淲e had a really good weekend on the field,鈥� the coach observed,

鈥淚n the field, it was not quite so good.鈥�

A few days later, police in Oregon announced they busted a $22 million catalytic converter theft ring that allegedly trafficked in 44,000 stolen converters since early 2021.

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The teams鈥� grace under pressure impressed a few Americans, including a rival team member, Brandi Joseph.

鈥淲e had the opportunity to play your ladies twice this weekend,鈥� Joseph posted on the .

鈥淲hat a very talented group. And apparently funny according to a few of our girls. Our entire team was so saddened by your experience in Portland. We are very happy you made it home safely.鈥�

Another Oregonian, Jay Ward, wished them 鈥渂onne chance鈥� in Montreal and apologized.

鈥淪o sorry that you fell victim to our ongoing and inhospitable crime spree. We hope you鈥檒l give us another chance once we get our act together,鈥� Ward said.

Up next for the team, a trip to the nationals in Montreal, which start Wednesday, Aug 17, running till the 21st.

鈥淲e鈥檙e ready to go,鈥� Cameron declared.

鈥淚t will be our first time at the nationals [and] we鈥檙e going in as the top B.C. team.鈥�