Catherine Parenteau Throws First Pitch: Catherine Parenteau, a top Canadian pickleball player, threw the ceremonial first pitch on Sunday at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. She was invited to participate in the Miami Marlins’ third-annual Pickleball Day event. Though nervous, her throw honored her strong background in baseball.
A Nerve-Wracking but Proud Moment
Catherine Parenteau was excited yet anxious before walking to the mound at loanDepot Park, the home stadium of the Miami Marlins. She participated in the event ahead of the game as part of the Marlins’ Pickleball Day, following former honorees Anna Leigh Waters and Bobbi Oshiro.
“I was really nervous going up to the mound because it’s been a while since I’d thrown a baseball. Honestly, when I got up there, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ I almost blacked out because I was just so excited about doing this. I was just focusing on making a good pitch, so the ball could make it to mascot, Billy the Marlin. In retrospect, I wish he was a little further away because I think my pitch ended up being a little higher than expected. But, that’s OK. I was just happy that I got to do it.” – (Parenteau)
Though her pitch was a bit high, Parenteau’s technique was solid. That came from years of playing baseball while growing up in Quebec, Canada.
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Baseball Roots Run Deep
Before her pickleball career, Catherine Parenteau spent many years playing baseball in Repentigny, a suburb of Montreal. She began playing on boys’ teams at the age of six and eventually represented Team Quebec in national competitions.
“When I was younger, baseball was my sport. I was obsessed. I actually started playing on a guys’ team when I was probably around six years old. Every year, I would play on the higher-level teams with the boys.” – (Parenteau)
“Then a few years later, we found out there was baseball for girls. Each province had a team that would compete in Canadian Nationals, and I eventually made Team Quebec. I competed for them at the Under-12 and Under-14 levels over four years. Basically, I would play with the boys on a regular basis during the season, and then also play for Team Quebec on the side.” – (Parenteau)
Her love for the game came from her father, Mario Parenteau, who also coached her.
“Back home, we had a large enough backyard where we could just throw the ball around. He would come with his bat and just hit the ball at me, so I could practice being a shortstop. I would spend hours and hours in the backyard, and sometimes he would even just throw me pitches with a tennis ball so it wouldn’t go as far as a baseball. We just spent hours and hours drilling.” – (Parenteau)
“I really, really loved the team aspect of baseball and having teammates. That was really fun for me, and I just loved it because I could do it with my dad. He helped me a ton.” – (Parenteau)
A Long-Lasting Love for Baseball
Catherine Parenteau also spent time watching the Montreal Expos with her family. They had season tickets and attended many games before the team moved to Washington, D.C., and became the Washington Nationals in 2005.
“My parents were always big Montreal Expos fans. I’m always going to remember the last game at Olympic Stadium. That was crazy. I remember my mom, my dad and I were crying, and my little brother was like one or two at the time. We were so sad that they were leaving. We would try to go to as many games as we could. It was the best.” – (Parenteau)
“We also participated in all sorts of activities at the ballpark, and that’s how I got to meet [Expos shortstop] Orlando Cabrera. He was my favorite player. I remember asking him for an autograph. I was so shy. My dad helped because I didn’t really know how to speak English at the time. We got a few things signed by him. It was pretty awesome because I looked up to him so much since I became a shortstop myself.” – (Parenteau)
Even though she now plays professional pickleball, her love for baseball has never faded.
“I actually have a bucket list. It’s to visit all the MLB stadiums. I would say I still have 20 stadiums left, maybe a little bit less than 20, so I still have a ways to go. Whenever we play PPA or MLP, it’s funny because I always look at the baseball schedule wherever we are. I just love going to different stadiums. It just reminds me of the Expos.” – (Parenteau)
“There was always this connection with baseball. I just love watching it, and sometimes it doesn’t even matter who’s playing. I just love being in a stadium and just enjoying some baseball.” – (Parenteau)
How Baseball Helped Her Pickleball Game
Catherine Parenteau believes that playing many sports while growing up made her a better athlete, especially on defense in pickleball.
“I think what my parents did very well, instead of having me focus on one specific sport, I was playing multiple sports, so I got to expand. Sometimes I feel like I have a little bit of an edge over other players in my defense.” – (Parenteau)
“I think the position I like to describe is like a catcher position, just getting super low, or even a shortstop. When you’re trying to catch the ball in baseball and you’re trying to defend yourself in pickleball, it’s so similar. You’re trying to absorb the ball with your glove, whereas in pickleball you’re trying to absorb it with your paddle. Pickleball reminds me a lot of baseball in that way, and just very similar also sometimes in terms of lateral movement.” – (Parenteau)
Catherine Parenteau’s return to the baseball field—even for one pitch—was more than a fun moment. It was a celebration of where she came from and the sport that helped shape her into the athlete she is today.
News in Brief: Catherine Parenteau Throws First Pitch
Catherine Parenteau threw the first pitch at a Miami Marlins game on Sunday, during Pickleball Day. A former competitive baseball player from Quebec, Canada, she said the moment was special and nerve-racking. Her background in baseball continues to help her succeed in pickleball.
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