Verge: Asay was a Hall of Famer on and off field

Former Women’s National Team ace Amanda Asay (Prince George, B.C.) will inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously. Photo: Baseball Canada

February 13, 2025

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

Her exceptionality on the field is easy to quantify.

The stats tell the story of Amanda Asay, a talented, strong armed, versatile and consistent presence on the Women’s National Team for 16 years, who, it was announced on Wednesday, will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame this June.

She was dominant in the country, but also in the world.

In 2017, the pitcher/first baseman/DH - and her favourite - catcher, was ranked the seventh best female baseball player in the world by Baseball America. She helped Canada to five World Cup medals, including three bronze and two silver.

But Asay, (Prince George, BC) was much more than an incredible athlete.

That part of her that helped lead Canada to success over and over again, is harder to measure.

The stats don’t tell the story of the athlete who, when she took the field in red and white, brought everyone together. Away from the field, she was a listening ear, a confidante and an intelligent and compassionate teammate.

That’s what made her so special, and such a vital part of Canada’s roster for more than a decade and a half.

“She was everything for our program really,” said Ashley Stephenson, who played alongside Asay for many years, and was the first Women’s National Team player inducted into the Canadian ball hall last year.

It’s that spirit that Stephenson and former teammates and coaches are remembering of their fondly nicknamed “Ace” who passed away in a tragic skiing accident in 2022.

“When I saw that it was Ace [who will be inducted] this year I was so excited,” Stephenson said. “She’s just the best teammate you could ever ask for.”

When she took the field in red and white, from veterans to the rookies, Asay helped connect everyone on their roster, said André Lachance, former Women’s National Team manager.

“That’s why she’s missed so much, because she was the glue to the team,” Lachance said.

Her talent on the field was a given, but being a great teammate was what set her apart from other athletes, said Kate Psota, her former teammate and current coach with the Women’s National Team.

She was the first one to welcome new players, and from there, help mentor them so they found success playing for Canada, and a sense of belonging.

During Asay’s lengthy career with the team, she helped them to five medals, including three bronze and two silver, and a silver at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.

Through it all, Asay stayed humble. It’s words that have been echoed by multiple teammates, coaches and her family members.

“It was never about her, but about the team,” Lachance said. “And I’m sure this would’ve been her message to the crowd that will gather in St. Marys [in June for the induction ceremony].”

She will be part of the Canadian ball hall’s 2025 class that also includes Jose Bautista, Greg Hamilton, Erik Bedard, Arleene Noga and Gerry Snyder.

Although it’s the ultimate recognition, Asay didn’t play for the recognition, or in hopes of being recognized.

She played for the love of the game.

That passion was evident early on, said her parents, George and Loris Asay, who were there representing Asay during the Hall of Fame press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

It was there in the room of her childhood, in the consistent room decor with many maple leafs plastered inside. She was determined to represent Canada, George said.

She started playing baseball at five, with a friendly sibling rivalry providing competition away from the field for the budding athlete. Asay and her older brother, Bradley, would host “Homerun Derbys,” where they would try to hit the ball over the roof of their house.

Looking back, that early in home competition gave her an edge, George said.

“Having an older sibling is a tremendous advantage, you’ve got a playmate and you’re striving to keep up with him, so that was probably one of the key things that set her on her way,” he said.

And on her way, she went. Her first MVP year with Canada in the 2006 World Cup, she hit .500, and was the only Canadian named to the all-star team. A decade later, she was once again named MVP, a testament to what a key piece of the roster she was for so many years. In that 2016 year, she pitched a complete game to take Canada to the gold medal final.

The impact Asay had on the Women’s National Team for those 16 years is still felt to this day.

They share stories of her legacy with the younger players, of the legend who donned the red and white jersey before them.

Especially when they’re battling in a challenging matchup, working to get an important win. Ace is part of the clubhouse again.

“Her name usually comes up because she was just such a fierce competitor,” Psota said.

And when she’s inducted in June, that legacy and impact on baseball in Canada will continue, inspiring the next generation of young ball players who visit the Hall of Fame.

Baseball will always be a part of Asay, as Asay will be a part of baseball.

“She just loved the game, she would’ve been over the moon [to be inducted]” her dad said.

“I’m sure where she is right now, she’s catching a game,” Lachance said.