Latest news with #KitchenerPanthers
The Mainichi
2 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
2 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 .
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Ayami Sato's pro exploits in Canada "opening up world" for women
KYODO NEWS - 3 hours ago - 13:12 | Sports, All 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. Related coverage: Pioneering women's sports bar draws crowds, eyes path to equality Taekwondo: Teenage hopeful Ruka Okamoto eyeing Olympic debut in 2028
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Ayami Sato's pro exploits in Canada "opening up world" for women
KYODO NEWS - 2 minutes ago - 13:12 | Sports, All 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. Related coverage: Pioneering women's sports bar draws crowds, eyes path to equality Taekwondo: Teenage hopeful Ruka Okamoto eyeing Olympic debut in 2028
CTV News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Kitchener Panthers hit the diamond for first home opener under KW Titans' ownership
The Kitchener Panthers had their home opener of the 2025 season on Sunday in Jack Couch Ball Park on Saturday afternoon. The Kitchener Panthers stayed home for the first time this season, winning 11-10 against the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers. The third game of the season kicked off at 2 p.m. Saturday at Jack Couch Ball Park. Kitchener Panthers homeopener Fans get ready for the Kitchener Panthers homeopener game, May 18, 2025 (Sidra Jafri/CTV News). 'Very excited that the Panthers get a chance to show our home crowd what we can do,' Kitchener Panthers Pitching Coach, Pete Kiefer, said. 'We've been on the road quite a bit, so we're looking to get some home support and really have some fun today.' The team faced off against the Barnstormers for the second time this season and had hoped to get revenge after losing to them on Friday. Shanif Hirani, the Panthers' new general manager, spoke with CTV News ahead of the game and said the spirit of home-game fans was electric. 'I think our park is very unique where we can take advantage of it and the other team hasn't played here yet, I think we also have great fans. So, we have sort of a home field advantage,' said Hirani. Hirani was brought on as general manager in December, following the team's acquisition by the owner of the KW Titans. Kitchener Panthers and Junior Panthers stand together for the National Anthem Kitchener Panthers and Junior Panthers stand together for the National Anthem on the Jack Couch Ball Park field, May 18, 2025 (Sidra Jafri/CTV News). Hirani said his time so far has been 'great.' 'I'm surrounded by a lot of good people, which is helpful and everyone that we've brought in is buying into what we're trying to do,' Hirani said. 'So, it's been a good experience so far. There's lots of continuity that we've brought over from the Titans to the Panthers, which has made the transition a lot more seamless than it would have been without them.' Fan reaction Fans get ready for the Kitchener Panthers home opener game Fans get ready for the Kitchener Panthers homeopener game, May 18, 2025 (Sidra Jafri/CTV News). Panthers' fans began filling the stands an hour before the first pitch, looking to score some good seats to watch the local team. Nicole Boss brought her two young sons over early to watch the game and grab one of the free Panthers branded t-shirts the team was giving away to the first 500 fans. 'We're excited to be at the Panthers home opener. We live in the neighborhood so it's really great that we can just walk down here and catch a game,' Boss said. 'It's great to have a local option to bring them to.' Fans get ready for the Kitchener Panthers home opener game Fans get ready for the Kitchener Panthers homeopener game, May 18, 2025 (Sidra Jafri/CTV News). Evelyn Ball has lived in Kitchener since 1992, when she moved to the city with her son and husband. Saturday's game was her first. 'I'm just trying to come out and support more local events,' Ball said. 'I'm retired and I have more time to take part in community events.' The Junior Kitchener Panthers team, part of the Kitchener Minor Baseball Association, came out to the game to support the Panthers and stand with them for the national anthem. Some of the young players spoke with CTV News before the game, sharing their excitement for the game and said they planned to hold their gloves high in hopes to catch a foul ball. The players said in unison that they hope to see themselves on the same field for the same team in the future. The Kitchener Panthers will be facing the Brantford Red Sox here at home for Game 4 on May 22.
