Raine Padgham is a student-athlete in UBC’s Kinesiology program and a proud 2023 Beedie Luminary, thriving at the intersection of academics and athletics. A dedicated baseball player since childhood, Raine recently represented Canada in the Women’s Baseball World Cup, where she pitched in the bronze medal game against Mexico, leading her team to a 4-2 victory.
Passionate about advocating for women in baseball, Raine has navigated challenges as one of the few female athletes in men’s baseball, even breaking ground as the first female player on Thompson Rivers University’s men’s team. Off the field, Raine enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring new hobbies like tattooing. With a dream of playing professional baseball and traveling the world, Raine’s journey is marked by resilience, confidence, and a commitment to inspiring others. Read more about Raine’s journey below.
Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Raine Padgham, and I recently transferred to the Kinesiology program at UBC. As a proud student-athlete and a 2023 Luminary, I’m excited about this new chapter in my academic and athletic journey. In my free time, I love hiking and diving into a good book—right now, I’m reading “Babel” by R.F. Kuang. I also love sushi and have just started exploring the art of tattooing. My dream is to play professional baseball and travel around the world. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to travel to Australia to play baseball. It was truly an amazing experience!!
Most recently I competed in the Women’s Baseball World Cup, hosted in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Where I had the opportunity to represent my country and compete against team Japan, Venezuela, Mexico, and a few others. I pitched in the bronze medal game against Mexico, where we won 4-2.
When did you start playing baseball? Do you remember what your very first medal looked like? What did that mean to you?
I started throwing a ball when I was two, but I didn’t play on my first team until I was three years old, where I joined a division called Blastball. In 2013, I received my first meaningful medal as a bat girl for Team Ontario during the Senior Women’s National tournament. Although I wasn’t playing when I received this medal, this experience held incredible significance for me, as it marked the first time I witnessed so many women passionately participating in the sport I love.
Growing up, I rarely saw girls playing baseball, so being surrounded by incredible female athletes in a male-dominated sport was truly mesmerizing. It was also at this tournament that I learned about the existence of a women’s national team, igniting my dream of playing at a high level and making it feel achievable. This experience inspired me and I set a goal to one day play for the women’s national team. Team Ontario’s second-place finish led to me receiving a medal, which further motivated me to continue pursuing my passion for baseball.
It’s no doubt that you are an exceptional player. How do you find it being a woman in a male-dominated sport?
I started playing baseball because of my family; my dad played when he was younger, and it became a sport my brother and I could enjoy together. I explored many different sports throughout highschool like rugby, volleyball, and track and field. As much as I enjoyed those, I would always come back to baseball. Throughout my career, I’ve often been the only girl on my team, which tends to surprise other teams. When people ask me what sport I play and I say baseball, the most common response is, “Oh, you mean softball, right?” or they ask, “Why men’s baseball? Why not softball?” Similarly when I mention that I compete on the Women’s national team for baseball, most people aren’t even aware women’s teams exist let alone a world championship.
Only 18% women aged 16-63 years stay involved in sport, and 62% don’t participate in sport at all. Furthermore, 1 in 3 girls drop out by late adolescence, but only 1 in 10 boys do the same.
Canada Women & Sport
What has being an athlete in this specific sport taught you?
The easy answer to why being a student-athlete is valuable would be that it has taught me mental strength, time management, and a solid work ethic—all important qualities gained from sports. However, on a deeper level, baseball has profoundly shaped my understanding of confidence and relationships. It’s not just about acting a certain way or maintaining a particular attitude; it’s about genuinely believing in my mind, my body, my abilities, and my worth as a person. At times when I was struggling, I would develop a very ‘do it all myself’ attitude, feeling stuck in a loop where if it wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t enough, and I could easily be replaced.
This mindset, in turn, took a toll on my confidence as an athlete and made me feel isolated. Yet, in the midst of those struggles, the relationships I built with my teammates and coaches became even more significant. Playing alongside incredible athletes not only helped me grow as a player but deepened my appreciation for the connections I built both on and off the field. For example, in my first year of university I became the first female to play for the Thompson Rivers university men’s baseball team. With a roster of over 30 players, I knew I had to prove my place, but I also worried whether my teammates would accept me for who I was. Over time, I gained more than just teammates—I gained over 30 older brothers who reminded me that I’m never truly alone in my journey.
What advice do you have for female athletes that are maybe on the cusp of continuing their athletic careers? Have you ever been at a point where you thought about giving up?
There have been many moments throughout my career when I considered giving up, thinking my goals were either unachievable or simply impossible. Being the only girl on the field wasn’t always as welcoming as others, and there were times I felt out of place and alone, often questioning if I was doing something wrong. This had a significant impact on me, as my identity as an athlete plays such a major role in my life. The advice I’d give to female athletes is to embrace your journey and celebrate what makes you unique.
While having confidence in your abilities is key, it’s equally important to remember how far you’ve come and the path that brought you here. As a female athlete, your presence in sports is powerful. You bring diversity, strength, and a unique perspective. Take pride in breaking barriers and inspiring others. What I’ve learned is that when you’re the first to do something, the only expectations that truly matter are your own—because how can anyone else know what to expect if no one has ever seen it done before?
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