“Baseball is for everyone”: Meet legendary pitcher Ayami Sato, the first woman to play on a men’s pro team in Canada

Japanese-born Ayami Sato is known as the best woman pitcher in the world, throwing at the lightning speed of 129 kilometres per hour and winning six world championships for her home country in the process. Now, she’s making history as the first woman to play professionally in Canada, joining the men’s Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club—which, yes, shares a name with a certain hockey team. Here, through her translator and partner Mayo Hirano, Sato talks about joining an all-men team, her goal of inspiring young girls in Canada, and her love of Toronto’s beer and doughnuts.

You began playing baseball as a young girl in Japan. What was your experience competing in a sport considered to be “for the boys”? I grew up in Amami, Kagoshima, a small island located in southern Japan. When I was a kid, all my friends were boys. We’d play baseball together all the time, and I didn’t notice that it was anything out of the ordinary. Luckily, I was big and strong by the time I was in elementary school, so I blended in easily with the boys. The older I got, the more I realized how rare it was to play men’s sports as a young girl.

Did you run into any challenges trying to make it as a girl in a male-dominated sport? When I started middle school, there were no baseball clubs for girls. I had the itch to play but no club to join. I played basketball instead, but my passion for baseball was still there. I asked my teacher if I could join the boys’ baseball team as the only girl. Luckily, he said yes. I couldn’t be in the change room with the rest of the team, so I’d find my own places to change into gym clothes. When I got to high school and university, I was finally able to play on girls’ baseball teams.

How did your family react? My parents were very passionate about sports. When I told them I wanted to play baseball, they cheered me on and encouraged me to do exactly what I wanted to do. I’m motivated to do my best for them.

When did you start to realize, “Hey, I’m pretty good at this”? I was eight years old when I started to understand how well I could throw a baseball in comparison with the boys I was playing with. Even at that young age, I had strong shoulders and could throw a ball with extreme control.

How did you prove it to the world? I won six world championships for Japan and along the way earned the MVP title three times. That made me realize I must be doing something right. Winning the 2012 Women’s Baseball World Cup in Edmonton was a special moment. It was a really good game.

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What is it about pitching that you love? I get to touch the ball the most out of anyone on the diamond. I love throwing and controlling aspects of the game.

You’ll be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club in 2025. We’re thrilled to have you, but also, why us? Back in September, I watched a baseball documentary called See Her Be Her, which is about top female baseball players fighting for gender equality in sports. That was a really eye-opening experience for me. Baseball is such a big deal in North America. I realized that I’d have more opportunities to play at a higher level if I went international.

How did you connect with the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club? Coincidentally, their director reached out to me a little while after I saw See Her Be Her. It was such good timing. He had seen me play, and he asked if I would consider joining the team. I knew there was a hockey team called the Toronto Maple Leafs, but I had no idea about the baseball club. I’m just excited to meet my teammates and adjust to the Canadian style of play.

That means you’ll be back to playing with boys again. How does it feel? It will be a new adventure in my life for sure. But, at the end of the day, I believe that baseball is for everyone. These guys love baseball; I love baseball—we’re on the same page. I just want to show up and do my best.

Any nerves? Yes! There’s a difference between men’s and women’s levels of speed and power. I’m a bit worried about this, but I want to do my best and improve to that level. More than anything, I’m excited to be here.

You’re known as the best woman pitcher in the world. What’s it like to own that title? It just reminds me that I’m playing well. Knowing that people all over the world are watching me play pushes me to live up to the title.

You’re making history by becoming the first woman to play pro baseball in Canada. How does it feel? It’s a huge honour not only to play for a men’s team but to be the first woman to do it in Canada. I aspire to set an example and give hope to little girls watching me, and I’m excited to be a part of the growth of the sport in Canada, along with the women who play for the national baseball and softball teams.

You’re also an adviser for the recently announced Women’s Pro Baseball League, which is launching in the summer of 2026. Any chance you’d jump ship and play in that league when the time comes? I’m happy to offer my support where it’s needed. It brings me joy to be able to bring hope to women’s baseball, and I’m grateful to be a part of this new league. If I have the opportunity to play in the league in the future, I would love to participate. But, for now, I’m focused on doing everything I can to bring home some wins for the Maple Leafs.

Have you ever been to Toronto? Not beyond Pearson airport on a layover. I remember eating at Dunkin’ Donuts—I had really good coffee and doughnuts.

We’re off to a good start then. Besides quality doughnuts, do you have any expectations about life in Toronto? A few of my Canadian friends have told me about how beautiful the Toronto cityscape is and how cool the culture is. Since signing with the Leafs, I’ve been watching travel videos on YouTube every day to learn about the city and get excited for the big move.

Anything specific you’re excited to eat, drink or do? So many things. I love beer, so I’m looking forward to trying out some breweries in the city. I also plan to go to hockey games, Blue Jays games and the top of the CN Tower.

What do you imagine Canadians will be like? My motto is “Keep calm and be passionate.” I imagine Canadians are like this.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.