Latest news with #IntercountyBaseballLeague
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Baseball: Sato's pro exploits in Canada 'opening up world' for women
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Ayami Sato, one of the world's best female baseball players, has smashed through the glass ceiling to make history in her new home of Canada. The 35-year-old Japanese right-hander became the first woman to play in a professional men's league in Canada when she pitched two scoreless innings as the Toronto Maple Leafs' Opening Day starter on May 11 against the Kitchener Panthers. "The very first pitch was the most nerve-wracking," Sato said. She kept hitters off-balance by mixing her fastball with her breaking pitches. On June 1, Sato made a relief appearance and picked up her first win in the Intercounty Baseball League, the top independent baseball league in Canada. The three-time Women's Baseball World Cup MVP has received wide media coverage in Canada. Fans hunt for her autograph even when her team is on the road. But Sato has tried to remain grounded, saying, "I'm not playing to prove that I can compete with men. I'm here to improve myself." Sato did not hesitate when she received a contract offer from the Maple Leafs. "If you take a step forward, it is opening up the world. I hope to send some kind of message through my play," Sato said. Her trailblazing in Canada comes at an exciting time for women's baseball in North America, with a new U.S. women's pro league set to be launched in 2026. "I also feel lucky to be here at this time," she said, referring to her role as a special advisor to the new league.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Here's what you can do in Hamilton this weekend
Hamilton will see a mixture of sunny and cloudy conditions this weekend, in time for sports games, festivals and historical tours. Environment Canada forecasts 24 C for both Saturday and Sunday, with a mix of sun and cloud Sunday. Friday will be 22 C with a humidex of 25 and cloudy periods. Here is what you can do in Hamilton and area this weekend: The annual Concession Streetfest will feature music, dance, a free kids zone, merchant sidewalk sales, and medieval warriors Saturday. The festival is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Concession Street will be closed for the festival. For more information, go to . The Hamilton Cardinals and Kitchener Panthers meet in Intercounty Baseball League play at Bernie Arbour Stadium on Friday, June 6 at 7:35 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the Cardinals will face the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers for a swing and sing musical night. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The stadium is located at 1100 Mohawk Rd. E., Hamilton. Tickets for both events are $12. Go to for more details. Cruisin' June Car Show is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The show will feature classic, modern and exotic cars. Attendees enter the event at James and Brant streets, with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. Trophies for the People's Choice best-in-show cars will be awarded and there will be a Moon-in-June Road Race. The event will close Brant Street in downtown Burlington. The two-day, five-kilometre run will include more than 17 obstacles, mud and inflatables alongside women of all ages and fitness levels. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday at Binbrook Conservation Area, 3120 Binbrook Rd. Each day, runners will be accepted between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Arrive 45 minutes to one hour before the start time on your ticket. Participant tickets are available for $60 at . After Friday, the price will increase to $90. Saturday is already sold out. Spectator tickets are $10 online or on-site. Bill King will host a free walking tour at 10 a.m, Sunday, bringing attendees to downtown Hamilton sites connected to Evelyn Dick's 1946 murder trial. Sarah Farr, a writer and researcher of historical true crime cases, will guest host and share research about the case during the tour. Meet King at King and John streets at 10 a.m. for the 90-minute walking tour. Live and Local is an 'open streets' celebration in downtown Dundas Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will happen on King Street West between Cross and John streets and feature local shops selling at the sidewalks, food, interactive art and music. Forge FC will play against Halifax Wanderers FC on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to about $81, including fees and taxes, on . The venue is Hamilton Stadium at 64 Melrose Ave. N., Hamilton. For more details, go to . A re-enactment of the 1813 Battle of Stoney Creek will happen Saturday and Sunday at the Battlefield House Museum and Park. The enactments are set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (followed by a drone light show) and Sunday at 2 p.m. The free event will feature period games, demonstrations, historical music, food and Indigenous programming. Visitors can also tour the 18th century Battlefield House and the Battlefield Monument, which opened on June 6, 1913. The museum is located at 77 King St. W. Go to for more details. On Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., a free children's art festival will happen at Gage Park. A concert will happen in the park Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The festival will feature a magic show, a storytelling tent, workshops and an artist market. Gage Park is at 1000 Main St. E. For a full list of the festival lineup, go to . Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
What's going on in Hamilton this weekend?
Hamilton will get a break from rain and clouds in time for events happening this weekend. Environment Canada forecasts a sunny high of 17 C on Saturday and Sunday. Here's what you can get up to this weekend: There are still spots open for a Ghost Walk in Dundas on Saturday evening. Attendees will learn about ghosts, murders and mobsters in Dundas's history. Tickets are $15 for adults or $13.50 for children 13 years old and younger. The tour will happen at Grafton Square at 2 King St. W. For more information, go to . Take your family out to the ball game this Sunday at 2 p.m. Hamilton Cardinals will face Guelph Royals in the Intercounty Baseball League at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium, located at 1100 Mohawk Rd. E., Hamilton. Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are $12. Go to for more information. Go on a historical adventure at the Hamilton Cemetery, once Burlington Heights, a British Military stronghold from 1813 to 1815. On Saturday at 10 a.m., participants should meet their tour guide at the cemetery gatehouse at 777 York Blvd. The free tour is an hour long. For more information, go to . Hamilton's Canadian Premier League team will compete with the Cavalry FC at Hamilton Stadium on Saturday. The game is at 4 p.m. The stadium is located at 64 Melrose Ave. N. Tickets range from $19 to $75. To buy tickets, go to . Hamilton Civic Museums will host the free event on Saturday at 11 a.m. The event will feature radio-controlled model boats and tours of the museum. The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology is located at 900 Woodward Ave., Hamilton. For more information, go to . Peruse through a collection of heirloom annuals and perennials. Hamilton Civic Museums will host the plant sale on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The free event will be held at Dundurn Castle and Park, which is located at 610 York Blvd., Hamilton. For more information, go to . Pro Wrestling Ontario will return to the Germania Club of Hamilton at 863 King St. E. on Saturday. The event will feature open-weight champion Jonny Deluca versus Tarik in a last-man-standing match and trios champion the Foundation versus the Trophy Hunters. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $30. Go to for more details. Marc Hallworth, Kari Johnson, Lindsay Endersby and Gavin Stephens are a few acts to be featured at the Staircase Theatre on Friday. Smooth Comedy runs from 8 to 10 p.m. at 27 Dundurn St. N., in the theatre's Bright Room. For more information, go to . Tickets are $20. Questo is hosting an outdoor escape room on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each session lasts about 90 minutes. One ticket, which is $40, allows up to six participants. Locations are sent out prior to the event. Attendees will be led by the escape room's app. For more details and tickets, go to . ECS Coffee in Burlington will host an interactive event teaching attendees how to make an espresso and steam milk on Saturday at 11 a.m. The two-hour class will teach about different espresso beans, grinding techniques and creating latte art. Tickets are $10. Go to . The café is located at 3100 Harvester Rd., Unit 6, Burlington. Learn how to make bubble tea at downtown Hamilton's the Alley on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. Workers will show attendees how to make different drinks. The shop is located at 1050 King St. W., Unit 5, Hamilton. Tickets are $10 on . Those who can't make the event, can book a time by emailing alleycateringhamilton@ . Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@
Toronto Star
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
‘It's a beautiful story.' Maple Leafs pitcher Ayami Sato throws two hitless innings in her historic debut
On a cloudless, breezy spring Sunday, an energetic baseball team wearing crisp white uniforms took to the field at Dominico Field in Christie Pits, eager to start their season in front of a healthy crowd splayed across blankets on the hillside. Most fans were there to see a diminutive but stoic figure standing on the mound for the Intercounty Baseball League's Toronto Maple Leafs. Ayami Sato, the flame-throwing right-hander from the Japanese island of Amami Ōshima, became the first woman to play professional baseball in Canada on Sunday when she fired a pitch to the Kitchener Panthers' Nick Parsons, who weakly tapped it back to Sato. She threw him out with ease.
Edmonton Journal
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Maple Leafs' Sato shines as 1st woman to play in Canadian men's pro baseball
Article content Star female pitcher Ayami Sato made history as the first woman to play in a Canadian men's professional baseball league on Sunday. Article content She also had a perfect debut for the Intercounty Baseball League's Toronto Maple Leafs. Sato struck out one batter without allowing anyone on base in the first two innings of an eventual 6-5 loss to the Kitchener Panthers. Fans at Dominico Field in Christie Pits welcomed Sato with loud applause when the public address announcer introduced her in the starting lineup for Toronto's home opener. Article content Latest National Stories
