It may not have been the fastest ceremonial first pitch, but it was likely one of the most memorable in recent years.
Wearing a Blue Jays' jersey and a pink baseball cap, 101-year-old Kitty Cohen opened the team's home game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, tossing a ball over home plate on Mother's Day.
The ceremonial pitch -- a baseball tradition that is only a few years older than the spirited senior -- has set a new Major League Baseball record.
The Toronto resident became the oldest Canadian to throw a ceremonial pitch at a professional game.
Asked about how she felt about the honour prior to Sunday's game, Cohen said she was excited to meet the team.
"I want to meet them and shake their hands and even be lifted up by the whole crowd," Cohen told CP24 on Saturday.
Kitty Cohen, 101 years young, threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the @BlueJays today. http://t.co/JNZeZRb9vw
— Blue Jays-Official (@BlueJays) May 11, 2014
Sunday's ceremonial pitch aimed to throw the spotlight on the fight against women's cancers. Cohen will be participating for her seventh time in the "Weekend to End Women’s Cancers" walk next fall.
"I'm tickled pink just to think we may be on the brink of finding the link to conquer women's cancers,” the active senior said in a statement.
She says her secret to aging well is daily exercise.
"Everyone morning I get up and I have a walk," she said.
Since participating in the annual walk, Cohen has raised $20,000 and has walked over 360 kilometres.
Funds raised from the Sept. 6-7 walk will go toward the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. To learn more about the walk, visit the "Weekend to End Women's Cancers" website.
