Amanda Asay: A Legacy in Canadian Women’s Baseball
Amanda Asay was a standout Canadian baseball and hockey player, recognized as one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of Canadian women’s baseball. Born on May 16, 1988, in Prince George, British Columbia, she left a lasting impact on the sport through her skill and leadership.
Asay joined Baseball Canada’s Women’s National Team in 2005 at just 17 years old and remained a key player for over 15 years. A truly versatile athlete, she excelled as a pitcher, first baseman, catcher, and hitter. Her international career took off in 2006, when she made her Women’s Baseball World Cup debut in Taiwan, helping Canada secure a bronze medal. She posted an impressive .500 batting average with nine RBIs, earning a spot on the tournament’s All-Star Team as a first baseman and winning Team Canada’s MVP award.
Over the years, Asay continued to be a dominant force in women’s baseball. She competed in seven Women’s Baseball World Cups, helping Canada claim five medals – silver in 2008 and 2016, and bronze in 2006, 2012, and 2018. At the 2016 Women’s Baseball World Cup (see artifacts 1 and 2), she was instrumental in Canada’s success, pitching complete-game victories in both of her starts. This included a 2–1 semifinal win over Chinese Taipei, where she recorded a 1.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts. She also contributed offensively, hitting .333 with two doubles and three RBIs, earning her a second Team Canada MVP award.
At the 2019 Women’s Baseball World Cup, Asay delivered another stellar performance, recording two wins, a 1.58 ERA, and a .500 batting average, leading Canada to another bronze medal.
Asay was also selected as one of 18 players to represent Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto (see artifact 3) —the first time women’s baseball was featured in a major multi-sport event. She helped Canada advance to the gold medal game, where she pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief and recorded an RBI in the final. Canada ultimately took silver after falling to the United States. In 2017, Baseball America ranked her seventh among the world’s top 10 female baseball players.
Asay tragically passed away on January 7, 2022, at the age of 33, following a skiing accident in Nelson, B.C. At the time of her passing, she was the longest-serving member of the Canadian women’s baseball team, with 16 years of dedication to the sport. Her legacy lives on through her contributions to women’s baseball in Canada, where she inspired many young athletes with her work ethic, leadership, and passion for the game.
Photographs appear courtesy of Baseball Canada and the Prince George Citizen.
