The pink-haired pitcher already has goals of throwing faster
We're profiling cool kids doing cool things.
Know someone you think should be profiled on our site?
Email us at cbckidsnews@cbc.ca and tell us what makes them so awesome.
Name
Raine Padgham
Hometown
Abbotsford, B.C.
Age
15
According to her website, Raine Padgham started dyeing her hair pink at a young age to ensure that her opponents knew it was a girl who struck them out. (Image Credit: RainePadgham/Twitter)
Claim to fame
Last week, Raine came close to breaking the record for fastest women’s fastball pitch ever.
Her 83 m.p.h. (134 km/h) pitch was clocked during a training session at Baseball B.C. High Performance Camp at Whalley Athletic Park in Surrey, B.C., on Sept. 2.
Baseball officials say they can’t confirm whether she actually broke the world record because statistics for the sport aren’t well kept.
The Guinness World Book of Records says the fastest pitch ever thrown by a female player was 69 m.p.h. (111 km/h).
But Baseball Canada’s André LaChance said he’s seen a handful of female pitchers in the U.S. and Japan throw harder (in the mid-80s).
Still, he said the pitch was remarkable — especially for a 15-year-old.
Canadian Women's Team pitching coach Anthony Pluta agreed.
(Video Credit: RainePadgham/Twitter)
“I've seen some pretty hard fastballs,” he said, “but that's the hardest I've seen from a girl in my short time with the national team."
How fast was Raine’s pitch? Let’s compare.
Raine has already set a goal of pitching even faster, setting her sights at 85 m.p.h.
“It gives me something to work for and to challenge myself with,” she said.
So keep your eyes peeled (and your head ducked) for her next pitch!
TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Submitted by Allan Padgham
With files from Karin Larsen/CBC
