Massive Opening Day crowd witnesses baseball history at the Pits
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| May 11, 2025: Ayami Sato launches her first pitch, and launches a new era of baseball in Canada. |
Was there ever a day like this?
The Toronto Maple Leafs went down swinging in a 6-5 Opening Day loss to the Kitchener Panthers.
Closer Yankiel Mauris struck out the final two batters to earn the save. Yadian Martinez grabbed the win in relief.
In the top of the eighth inning, Panthers DH Arthur Kowara hit a solo home run to break a 5-5 tie. Jeremy Newton, who surrendered the dinger, took the L.
Though the game ended on a sour note, Christie Pits overflowed with positive vibes all day long. Opening Day always feels like a family reunion. This year the family was noticeably bigger. Corner to corner, the hillsides were carpeted with fans, friends and curious onlookers.
Under sunny skies and backed by a returning core of veterans, the Leafs new-look roster took the field for the first time in 2025.
"Firsts" were woven throughout the day.
Kowara's game-winning blast was his first IBL home run.
Toronto native Dennis Dei Baning hit his first home run in a Leafs uniform, a two-run shot in the fifth inning that gave the Leafs a short-lived 4-2 lead.
The most momentous first was the first appearance by a woman player in the Intercounty Baseball League.
Ayami Sato of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, added her name to the big book of Toronto baseball history when she took to the mound as the Leafs' starting pitcher.
The leadup to this moment had been months in the making. The surprise signing, followed by international headlines and endless rounds of media interviews. The Sato hype was a springboard for a newly-announced Women's Pro Baseball League. Leafs ownership has a hand in both. A lot was riding on this move.
The first sign that the move was a success was evident as one arrived at the Pits and observed a likely record crowd gathered at the park.
Everyone's attention was trained on Sato, as she went through her warm up routine, gave one more fieldside interview, and received welcomes from several dignitaries during a pre-game ceremony, including Opening Day Emcee Rod Black, Consul General Ken Matsunaga of the Japanese Consulate in Toronto, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe.
Sato returned to the bullpen for some final tosses as her Leafs teammates were introduced. One by one, the players charged out from behind the centerfield fence through clouds of blue and white smoke.
The colours were presented by representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion, the anthem was sung, the Leafs starters took their places on the field.
Game time. No more hype, no more waiting. All eyes on the pitcher.
Sato took the mound. The Panthers' first batter stepped in. Rather than a hush descending over the park, the moment was greeted by applause and cheers.
The historic call by Leafs play-by-play announcer Thomas West:
"Nic KyRose leading things off for Kitchener. The first pitch of the season from Sato and that's a weak tapper back to the mound. Sato fields it, throws to first IN TIME for out number one. How about that, one pitch, one out. Sato! Welcome to the Intercounty Baseball League."
Perfect moment, perfect inning. It took just five pitches to record two ground outs and a pop up to second.
Leaving the field to an ovation, Sato was greeted and embraced by manager Rob Butler. She had passed her first test with flying colours.
In the top of the second inning, Sato was perfect again. It took her nine pitches to retire the side, including a swinging strikeout of former Leaf Charlie Towers.
So many firsts:
First woman to play in the IBL: Ayami Sato
First batter to face Sato: Nicolas KyRose
First umpire to call Sato: Oliver Francescutto
First out recorded: KyRose grounded out, Sato to Jordan Castaldo at first base
First Sato strikeout: Charlie Towers, swinging
First hit off Sato: none
Sato's first line: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 1 K, 0.00 ERA
Some Leaf firsts for the season:
First Leafs lineup: 1) Ayami Sato; 2) Justin Marra; 3) Jordan Castaldo; 4) Dan Marra; 5) Spenser Ross; 6) Rando Moreno; 7) Ryan Dos Santos; 8) Dennis Dei Baning; 9) Marcus Knecht; DH) Mike Cecchetto
First Leafs hit: Rando Moreno, single in the first
First Leafs run: Rando Moreno, scored on a wild pitch in the third
First Leafs home run: Dennis Dei Baning, two-run homer in the fifth
As mentioned, Dei Baning's home run gave the Leafs a 4-2 lead. This back-and-forth game was decided by the bullpens. After Sato's two innings, Taylor Lepard pitched two scoreless. Newcomer Sebastian Rodriguez from the Dominican gave up two runs in the fifth. Venezuelan Wilgenis Alvarado gave up three in the sixth.
At the plate, Mike Cecchetto and Rando Moreno led the way with two hits apiece. Cecchetto and Marcus Knecht each drove in a run, and Dei Baning's debut blast gives him two to start the season.
In between innings in the sixth, Mr. Freeze lost his opening race of the season to Mama Freeze, which was appropriate for Mother's Day.
Kawara's homer in the eighth off Newton sealed the victory for Kitchener, but the final score was eclipsed by the history and good vibes of the day.
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