One Step Closer.

I have been saying for years that one day, in my lifetime, a woman will take the mound in a Major League Baseball game.  Today I learned we are one step closer to that.

The first woman to EVER play professional baseball in Canada will take the mound for the Intercounty Baseball League Toronto Maple Leafs.

34 year old Ayami Sato, widely considered the best female baseball player in the world, has signed for the 2025 season.  It is unlikely this will lead to any "next step" with a Major League franchise as the Maple Leafs aren't directly affiliated with a "big" club, but it's still an important step.

 

Looking at her repertoire, she compares favourably with many minor league pitchers.  She features a darting slider which she considers her best pitch, along with a curve and a high 70s fastball.  

So, no knuckleball.  I figure that it'll be a knuckleball pitcher that finally cracks the Major Leagues, since a knuckler thrown in the 70s can and will strike out Major League hitters on the regular.  In the era of high 90s heat, it's unlikely a "big" club would have the confidence in Sato to try her out.

Still, it's awesome to see the sport creep a little closer.  I am going to see if I can find my way to a Maple Leafs game this summer.