Women’s baseball ‘legend’ Ayami Sato ready to leave a mark in Canadian men’s pro league

When Ayami Sato takes the mound for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their 42-game regular season opener on Sunday, she will be making history as the first woman to play for a Canadian professional men’s baseball team. The Japanese pitcher, known for her impressive fastball and curveball, will be facing off against the Kitchener Panthers at Dominico Field in Christie Pits.

Sato, who stands at five-foot-five, has been turning heads with her pitching skills, including a fastball that reaches nearly 80 miles per hour and a curveball with a higher spin rate than most major leaguers. Despite some skepticism about her ability to compete in the Intercounty Baseball League, Sato is inviting fans in Toronto to come watch her debut and see her in action.

During a recent visit to CBC Sports headquarters, Sato expressed her excitement about her upcoming season with the Maple Leafs. She shared that while the curveball isn’t her favorite pitch, she enjoys watching opposing hitters struggle to make contact with it.

The 35-year-old pitcher, who has an impressive track record in women’s baseball, including helping Japan win six consecutive Women’s Baseball World Cup titles, is eager to make her mark in the IBL. Last season, the Maple Leafs finished seventh with a 17-25 record, and Sato is determined to help the team improve their performance this year.

Sato’s journey to playing for the Maple Leafs began when team owner Keith Stein decided to sign her as the IBL’s first female player. Stein was initially considering hiring a woman in a management or coaching role but was convinced by Leafs executive Andreas Kloppenborg to bring Sato on board.

Known as the best female baseball player in the world, Sato has garnered attention for her exceptional pitching skills and competitive spirit. She has represented Japan in multiple World Cup tournaments and has been named tournament MVP multiple times.

Despite her impressive accomplishments, Sato remains humble and grateful for the opportunity to play for the Maple Leafs. She sees herself as simply doing what she loves and hopes to contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season.

In addition to her baseball career, Sato is also a special adviser for the Women’s Professional Baseball League, a league set to launch next year. She is passionate about promoting gender equality in sports and hopes to inspire other women to pursue their dreams in baseball.

As Sato settles into life in Toronto, she is looking forward to exploring the city’s restaurants and trying Canadian beer in her downtime. She is excited about the opportunity to live abroad and is determined to make the most of her time with the Maple Leafs.

Overall, Ayami Sato’s debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs is not just a historic moment for Canadian baseball but also a testament to her talent, dedication, and passion for the sport. Fans can expect to see her bring her A-game to the field and leave a lasting impact on the IBL.