Women's baseball debuts at the 2025 Canada Games. The N.L. trailblazer says it's a huge deal
Women's baseball will make its Canada Games debut in St. John's this summer, and hometown talent and history-maker Jaida Lee says it's a big step forward.
Lee broke down the gender barrier during the 2022 Canada Games at the age of 16, pitching for the Newfoundland and Labrador's men's team and becoming the first woman to compete in baseball in Canada Games history.
Her jersey, and the ball she threw for her first pitch, sit in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
"The experience was amazing. I met people from all around Canada that I still talk to now, and still see when I'm travelling," Lee told CBC Radio's The Signal Wednesday.
Now, in her hometown, the 2025 Canada Games will mark the debut of women's baseball. Lee said it's a huge advancement for the sport.
"That will be super cool to see, just how they compete and everything," she said.
"I like to think I had some part in pushing that, but it's just really cool to see the progression that's happening for women's sports in general. You see it in a bunch of different sports, but baseball seems to be a little bit behind right now. But that's a really good ... step forward for women's baseball, especially in Canada."
Lee said her experiences in baseball and other sports have shaped her as a person and the direction life has taken her.
Karl Smith, co-chair of the Canada Games Host Society, said moments like Lee's are part of why he got involved in this year's Canada Games.
"These are defining moments for young people, and it's amazing," he said.
"Karen [Sherriffs] and I were at the field when she pitched her first pitch, and I still get goosebumps thinking about it. It was surreal. It was a strike, too."
Though Lee won't be competing this year, she'll be home to watch women's baseball make its debut.
She also left a piece of advice for those competing.
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Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ilhee Lee takes 1-shot lead over 4 players into the final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic
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The Province
a day ago
- The Province
Vancouver's Richard T. Lee, third on Asian Tour, tied for third at RBC Canadian Open
He and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford finished the day in a four-way tie for third at 9 under, three shots back of American Cameron Champ. Published Jun 06, 2025 • 3 minute read Richard T. Lee of Canada watches his tee shot on hole #7 in the second round of the Canadian Open golf in Caledon, Ont., Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS CALEDON — After Richard T. Lee's first round of the RBC Canadian Open his wife was telling him how on the PGA Tour's app a fireball appears beside a golfer's name on the leaderboard. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors That small mental image was enough to fuel Lee on Friday, as he fired a 6-under 64 in the tournament's second round to briefly hold a tie for second. He and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford finished the day in a four-way tie for third at 9 under, three shots back of American Cameron Champ. 'I was thinking about that all today, and I was like, 'oh, I want to see a fireball next to my name again,'' said Lee, smiling by the clubhouse at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. 'Luckily, I made four today, and I think there was a fireball.' The 34-year-old Lee was born in Richmond Hill, Ont., but moved to Vancouver when he was just a year old. He has been playing golf on the Asian Tour for most of his professional career and is currently third on its order of merit. Golf Canada often invites the best Canadian golfers from around the world to play in the national men's championship but Lee, until Friday, had never made the cut. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That hasn't stopped him from aspiring to play in North America's top men's golf circuit, however. 'It's the PGA Tour,' said Lee, adding that he plans to enter the PGA Tour's qualifying school again. 'Any kid out there wants to play out here and perform the way of all the best players out there.' A group of eight Canadians made the cut at the national men's golf championship on Friday, matching the record previously set in 2023 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto and again at Hamilton Golf and Country Club last year. Taylor had a 5-under 65 round to share third with Lee. Taylor Pendrith (68) of Richmond Hill, Ont., was tied for 13th at 7 under and Mackenzie Hughes (66) of Dundas, Ont., was tied for 18th at 6 under. Taylor, Pendrith and Hughes were all grouped together for the tournament's first two rounds. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Today was a perfect day for golf,' said Pendrith. 'It wasn't too windy. I would say the fairways were firming up a little bit. 'The greens were still quite receptive, definitely a little firmer than yesterday.' Adam Hadwin (68) of Abbotsford and Matthew Anderson (65) of Mississauga, Ont., were tied for 30th at 5 under. Anderson, who plays on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour, made the cut at a PGA Tour event for the first time. 'I know I can compete,' said Anderson, who made his PGA Tour debut at the 2024 Canadian Open. 'Last year I felt I was ready, but I just didn't really have the game. 'This year I felt I was ready, and I felt like my game was in a good spot and it was just about going out there and trusting myself.' Corey Conners (66) of Listowel, Ont., was tied for 38th at 4 under and Ben Silverman (69) of Thornhill, Ont., just made the cut at 3 under. Silverman rolled in a nine-foot putt to birdie the par-5 No. 18 to guarantee he'd see the weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I saw the cut was at 2 under, but it didn't look promising at 80-something guys, so I felt like I had to make it,' said Silverman. 'It's good when you feel like you have to do something like that and you pull it off.' Matthew Scobie of Oshawa, Ont., and Ashton McColloch, an amateur from Kingston, Ont., were just a shot below the 3-under cutline. Hall of Famer Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., Roger Sloan of Merritt, Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., A.J. Ewart of Port Coquitlam, Cougar Collins of Caledon, Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Vancouver's Brett Webster, Adam Svensson of Surrey, Calgary's Wes Heffernan, Mark Hoffman of Wasaga Beach, Ont., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., also did not make the cut. Amateurs Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont., and Toronto's Matthew Javier also missed the cut. Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Whitecaps PWHL
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver's Richard T. Lee, third on Asian Tour, tied for third at RBC Canadian Open
CALEDON — After Richard T. Lee's first round of the RBC Canadian Open his wife was telling him how on the PGA Tour's app a fireball appears beside a golfer's name on the leaderboard. That small mental image was enough to fuel Lee on Friday, as he fired a 6-under 64 in the tournament's second round to briefly hold a tie for second. He and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford finished the day in a four-way tie for third at 9 under, three shots back of American Cameron Champ. 'I was thinking about that all today, and I was like, 'oh, I want to see a fireball next to my name again,'' said Lee, smiling by the clubhouse at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. 'Luckily, I made four today, and I think there was a fireball.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The 34-year-old Lee was born in Richmond Hill, Ont., but moved to Vancouver when he was just a year old. He has been playing golf on the Asian Tour for most of his professional career and is currently third on its order of merit. Golf Canada often invites the best Canadian golfers from around the world to play in the national men's championship but Lee, until Friday, had never made the cut. That hasn't stopped him from aspiring to play in North America's top men's golf circuit, however. 'It's the PGA Tour,' said Lee, adding that he plans to enter the PGA Tour's qualifying school again. 'Any kid out there wants to play out here and perform the way of all the best players out there.' A group of eight Canadians made the cut at the national men's golf championship on Friday, matching the record previously set in 2023 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto and again at Hamilton Golf and Country Club last year. Taylor had a 5-under 65 round to share third with Lee. Taylor Pendrith (68) of Richmond Hill, Ont., was tied for 13th at 7 under and Mackenzie Hughes (66) of Dundas, Ont., was tied for 18th at 6 under. Taylor, Pendrith and Hughes were all grouped together for the tournament's first two rounds. 'Today was a perfect day for golf,' said Pendrith. 'It wasn't too windy. I would say the fairways were firming up a little bit. 'The greens were still quite receptive, definitely a little firmer than yesterday.' Adam Hadwin (68) of Abbotsford and Matthew Anderson (65) of Mississauga, Ont., were tied for 30th at 5 under. Anderson, who plays on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour, made the cut at a PGA Tour event for the first time. 'I know I can compete,' said Anderson, who made his PGA Tour debut at the 2024 Canadian Open. 'Last year I felt I was ready, but I just didn't really have the game. 'This year I felt I was ready, and I felt like my game was in a good spot and it was just about going out there and trusting myself.' Corey Conners (66) of Listowel, Ont., was tied for 38th at 4 under and Ben Silverman (69) of Thornhill, Ont., just made the cut at 3 under. Silverman rolled in a nine-foot putt to birdie the par-5 No. 18 to guarantee he'd see the weekend. 'I saw the cut was at 2 under, but it didn't look promising at 80-something guys, so I felt like I had to make it,' said Silverman. 'It's good when you feel like you have to do something like that and you pull it off.' Matthew Scobie of Oshawa, Ont., and Ashton McColloch, an amateur from Kingston, Ont., were just a shot below the 3-under cutline. Hall of Famer Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., Roger Sloan of Merritt, Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., A.J. Ewart of Port Coquitlam, Cougar Collins of Caledon, Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Vancouver's Brett Webster, Adam Svensson of Surrey, Calgary's Wes Heffernan, Mark Hoffman of Wasaga Beach, Ont., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., also did not make the cut. Amateurs Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont., and Toronto's Matthew Javier also missed the cut.
