Catherine Parenteau’s Ceremonial First Pitch: A Nod To Her Baseball Roots
Source: Miami Marlins (Instagram)
When Catherine Parenteau stepped onto the mound at loanDepot Park for the ceremonial first pitch at the Miami Marlins game, it was more than just a pre-game ritual — it was a poignant nod to her baseball roots. The 30-year-old pickleball star was a featured guest at the Marlins’ third annual Pickleball Day, a celebration that brought her back to her childhood days in Repentigny, Quebec.
“I was really nervous going up to the mound because it’s been a while since I’d thrown a baseball,” Parenteau confessed, flashing a smile. “Honestly, when I got up there, I almost blacked out because I was just so excited about doing this.”
Despite her nerves, Parenteau’s pitch displayed the form and technique she developed as a young shortstop and pitcher. Growing up, she played alongside boys, practiced tirelessly with her father in the backyard, and eventually earned a spot on Team Quebec, representing her province at the Canadian Nationals.
“When I was younger, baseball was my sport,” Parenteau recalled. “I was obsessed. I started playing on boys’ teams when I was six and eventually moved on to play for Team Quebec at the Under-12 and Under-14 levels.”
Her days on the diamond laid a foundation for her athletic prowess, now on full display in her pickleball career. Watching her favorite team, the Montreal Expos, further fueled her love for the game. Parenteau and her family were die-hard season ticket holders, soaking in the electric atmosphere at Olympic Stadium until the team’s relocation to Washington, D.C. in 2005.
“My parents were always big Expos fans,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “I remember the last game at Olympic Stadium — it was so emotional. We were all crying. I still have vivid memories of meeting [Expos shortstop] Orlando Cabrera and getting his autograph. That was a huge moment for me as a kid.”
Though Parenteau eventually traded her glove and bat for a pickleball paddle, her baseball roots still shine through in her defensive style. The quick lateral movement, the reflexive stops, the ability to absorb powerful shots — all echoes of her shortstop days.
“There’s definitely a connection,” she noted. “When you’re trying to catch a ball in baseball and trying to defend in pickleball, it’s so similar. You’re absorbing the impact, getting low, and positioning yourself. I feel like those years playing baseball gave me a little edge defensively.”
Today, Parenteau remains a passionate baseball fan. Whenever she travels for PPA or MLP events, she checks the local MLB schedule to visit new stadiums, still working her way through her bucket list.
“I still have about 20 stadiums left to visit,” she said. “Whenever I’m at a tournament, I try to squeeze in a game if there’s one nearby. It’s just a part of who I am.”
For fans hoping to connect with the sport and the event, the Marlins’ Pickleball Day ticket package includes a limited-edition Marlins x KillaDinks paddle, meet-and-greet opportunities, and access to pickleball courts on the West Plaza.
As for Parenteau, her ceremonial pitch may not have been perfect, but it was a heartfelt tribute to the sport that first ignited her athletic passion — a reminder that some loves, like baseball, never really fade.
