Women's Baseball World Cup legend Ayami Sato makes history playing in men's Intercounty Baseball League in Canada
Women's Baseball World Cup legend Ayami Sato made history as she became the first woman to play in Canada's independent Intercounty Baseball League (IBL).
Sato, 35, helped Japan win six consecutive WBSC Women's Baseball World Cups and was honoured as the tournament's MVP in 2014, 2016 and 2018. She started on Opening Day for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Kitchener Panthers. She pitched two perfect innings, striking out one.
“I got an offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and as long as I get the chance for such a great opportunity, I want to contribute to the baseball world,” said Sato through an interpreter.“Also, I want to show the girls and the boys the hope through playing baseball.”
"The world is watching. It's been amazing the excitement she [Sato] has brought to Toronto and this league," Maple Leafs manager Rob Butler, 55, a 1993 World Series winner with the Toronto Blue Jays, told CTV News. "Nothing has been seen like this in this league before, and it's a beautiful story for her to be the first person to try to do it."
The Panthers scored two runs in the fifth against Sebastian Rodriguez, three in the sixth off Wilgenis Alvarado and one in the seventh against Jeremy Newton to win the game, 6-5.
The IBL was founded in 1919 and is based in Southern Ontario. According to the league's website, the IBL "is the top independent baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-MLB, MiLB and elite NCAA college baseball players, including players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama and Japan."
Nine teams participate in the 2025 42-game regular season. The playoffs include best-of-five quarterfinal and semifinal series and a a best-of-seven final series. The winning team is awarded the Jack and Lynne Dominico Cup.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were founded in 1969 and play their home games at the Dominico Field in Christie Pits Park in Toronto. The Barrie Baycats, based in Minesing, are the defending champions