Canada Games history maker Jaida Lee throws first pitch at Blue Jays home game
After making historical past on the Canada Summer time Video games, 16-year-old Jaida Lee mentioned throwing the primary pitch on the Toronto Blue Jays residence sport would be the spotlight she’s taking ahead.
Lee threw the ceremonial first pitch Saturday to start out the Jays sport in opposition to the Cleveland Guardians. Centre-fielder Bradley Zimmer caught the pitch behind residence plate. The Blue Jays ended up profitable two to one against the Guardians.
Lee advised Sportsnet’s Blue Jays Central it is a spotlight in her hopefully lengthy pitching profession.
“Hopefully I will hold enjoying. I would prefer to play my whole life, truthfully, however I would prefer to play faculty baseball going ahead,” Lee advised host Jamie Campbell.
She mentioned of all of the experiences this week, pitching the primary pitch on the Jays’ residence sport will probably be a permanent reminiscence. Lee mentioned her curiosity in baseball began by watching her two older brothers play whereas her father coached them.
“I form of grew up on the area after which I made all my mates there. So I identical to the environment typically,” she mentioned.
Politicians have taken discover of {the teenager}’s expertise. The federal Minister of Sport, Pascale St-Onge mentioned Lee is one other instance of how Canadian ladies and ladies are making change via sport.
“Whether or not it is Canada Video games or the Olympics, we have seen our Canadian ladies thrive on the worldwide stage and at each stage in sport,” St-Onge mentioned to CBC. “So I am actually happy with this.”
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Tourism, Tradition, Arts and Recreation, Steve Crocker mentioned Lee’s talents to play on the provincial staff are spectacular.
“She units an incredible instance not just for younger ladies, however for athletes across the nation and all over the world,” Crocker advised CBC.
Her father, Dave Lee, advised CBC she relishes each the eye and the chance to attach with youthful gamers.
Lee mentioned she’s been listening to an analogous sentiment from younger ladies and oldsters who’ve been stopping by to take images together with her or messaging her privately.
“Most of them have been simply congratulating me and telling me that like I used to be a job mannequin or one thing like that and saying good job and one in all them purchased me sweet and some had indicators and stuff. So it was actually cute and fairly cool to see that,” Lee mentioned.
