Inspirational moment for female baseball players, says Baseball Canada
Ayami Sato threw one strikeout and didn’t allow any runners on base during her debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team on Sunday.
But that’s not why she was making headlines.
On May 11, Sato became the first woman ever to play professional men’s baseball in Canada.
The 35-year-old player from Japan made her debut in the Intercounty Baseball League of southern Ontario as the starting pitcher against the Kitchener Panthers at Christie Pits Park in Toronto.
Keep reading to hear why the group in charge of baseball in Canada says this is a significant milestone for women in the sport.
But first, press play to see Ayami Sato throw her historic first pitch. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Seeing is believing
“Baseball is the kind of sport that anyone can play regardless of their age, gender,” Sato told reporters after the game.
The pitcher, whose English is limited, spoke through an interpreter.
“I wanna make sure everyone’s more encouraged to play baseball and enjoy it.”
Sato’s involvement in the sport will help with that, said Megan Cundari, a program co-ordinator with Baseball Canada, the national governing body for baseball in the country.
Cundari told CBC Kids News that female role models are badly needed in baseball.
“I work with women in baseball every day and I see the struggles that they face just trying to be accepted, let alone compete at a high level.”
“Paving the way is not always easy,” Cundari said, “but if you’re able to open that door and other girls can see that you’re a girl playing on a boys team, then other girls are able to follow you through those doors.”
Momentum is building
And Cundari thinks all of this is happening at a great time.
Canada’s Senior National Women’s team is coming off a bronze medal at the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup.
A Women’s Pro Baseball League is also in development in the U.S., with plans to start playing in May 2026.
Have more questions? Want to tell us how we’re doing? Use the “send us feedback” link below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
With files from CBC, The Canadian Press
TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Image submitted by Matthew Hines, Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press, with graphic design by Philip Street/CBC
