Newfoundland woman fastballer on men’s team shifts from Welland to Blue Jays’ opening pitch

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Published August 10, 2022 at 11:56 am

Jaida Lee, shown here playing with the Newfoundland Women's U16 team last summer, will now throw the ceremonial opening pitch at this Saturday's Toronto Blue Jays game. (Photo: Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games)

It’s roughly 135 kilometres from Welland Stadium to the Rogers Centre in Toronto where the Blue Jays play.

It’s a trip that Newfoundland-Labrador pitcher Jaida Lee will be happy to make this Saturday (August 13).

After making Canada Summer Games history on August 8 by becoming the first-ever woman to play for the men’s baseball team at the stadium, Lee will now be doing the ceremonial opening pitch at the Blue Jays afternoon game against the Cleveland Guardians.

It’s been a heck of a stretch for Lee from being chosen as the Newfoundland-Labrador flag-bearer for her team to throwing an inning and a third for the men’s team on Monday to now throwing the opening pitch at a Jays game.

Let’s assume that the 16-year-old with the 78 mile-per-hour fastball and curveball that’s closing in on 60 mph will do a better job than some who have received the honour.

Indeed, it’s up to the Jays to hope catcher Alejandro Kirk can handle her smoke.

The ball that St. John’s native threw in her team’s 17-7 loss to Alberta on Monday is now on its way to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont.

 

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