After making history at the Canada Summer Games, 16-year-old Jaida Lee says throwing the first pitch at the Toronto Blue Jays’ home game will be the highlight she’s chasing.
Lee threw the ceremonial first pitch Saturday to start the Jays’ game against the Cleveland Guardians. Center back Bradley Zimmer grabbed the pitch behind home plate. The Blue Jays ended up winning two against one against the Guardians.
Lee told Sportsnet Blue Jays Center it’s a high point in his long pitching career, hopefully.
“I hope I keep playing. Honestly, I would love to play all my life, but I would love to play college baseball in the future,” Lee told host Jamie Campbell.
She said of all the experiences this week, throwing the first pitch at the Jays’ home game will be a lasting memory. Lee said his interest in baseball began watching his two older brothers play while his father coached them.
“I kind of grew up on the pitch and then made all my friends there. So I like the vibe in general,” she said.
Politicians noticed the teenager’s talent. Federal Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge said Lee is another example of how Canadian women and girls are making a difference through sport.
“Whether it’s the Canada Games or the Olympics, we’ve seen our Canadian women thrive on the international stage and at all levels in sport,” St-Onge told CBC. “So I’m really proud of that.”
Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation Minister Steve Crocker said Lee’s ability to play on the provincial team is impressive.
“She’s setting a great example not just for young girls, but for athletes across the country and around the world,” Crocker told CBC.
Her father, Dave Lee, told CBC that she relishes both the attention and the opportunity to connect with young players.
Lee said she heard a similar sentiment from young girls and parents who stopped to take pictures with her or message her privately.
“Most of them were congratulating me and telling me I was a model or something and saying good job and one of them bought me candy and a few had signs and stuff So it was really cute and kind of cool to see that,” Lee said.
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”