Ayami Sato will make baseball history in Toronto — and blaze a trail for women in sports

When Ayami Sato steps onto the mound at Toronto’s Christie Pits park this Sunday, she will be making history. At 35 years old, Sato has traveled all the way from Japan to join the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the first woman to play in a professional men’s baseball league in Canada.

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) of southern Ontario, where the Toronto Maple Leafs compete, has a rich history of over 100 years. Some of its players have even gone on to play in Major League Baseball or other elite leagues. Sato, already a legend in women’s international baseball, has helped Japan’s national team win multiple world championships and has earned three MVP awards along the way.

Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and former Toronto Blue Jay, Rob Butler expressed the team’s excitement to have Sato on board. He praised her as the best pitcher in women’s baseball history and emphasized the team’s commitment to breaking down barriers and providing her with a platform to showcase her skills.

Ashley Stephenson, a former player for Canada’s national women’s baseball team, spoke highly of Sato’s talent, calling her the best pitcher she ever faced. Stephenson acknowledged Sato’s unique skill set and expressed her disappointment in the lack of a professional women’s baseball league in Canada.

In response to this void, Toronto businessman Keith Stein is working with American baseball trailblazer Justine Siegal to establish the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL). The league aims to create a new baseball ecosystem for women and provide opportunities for players like Sato to compete at a professional level. With over 50 Canadian women already expressing interest in trying out for the league, Stein is hopeful for the future of women’s baseball in Canada.

As Sato prepares for her debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs, she is focused on inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams and embrace new challenges. At a nearby Canadian Girls Baseball League practice, young players expressed their excitement and admiration for Sato, hoping she will pave the way for future female athletes.

While the lack of a professional women’s baseball league in Canada remains a point of frustration for many, the presence of players like Sato serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring female athletes. As Sato takes the field on Sunday, she not only makes history but also ignites a spark of inspiration for young girls across the country.