Chris Leroux | TV, eh?

With the Major League Baseball playoffs at hand, it totally made sense for The Bachelor Canada to return on Wednesday. After all, single lad Chris Leroux was a professional baseball player. And, after throwing strikes for the Florida Marlins, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, he was hoping to get another win: meeting the gal of his dreams.

Back to host this season of The Bachelor Canada is the always reliable Noah Cappe, who unveiled Chris and the 20 young ladies looking to make an impression on him and land that all-important first impression rose.

After the requisite preamble introducing viewers to Chris, we got some key facts: he played sports as a kid, grew up in Mississauga, Ont., has a massive tattoo on his left side and pitched in the majors but retired from all that because he wanted to settle down. Now Chris has got a house and is looking for someone to move in and choose paint chips with him. After watching him get dressed very, very slowly, it was time to meet some of the 20 ladies who’d signed waivers and joined the fray.

Among those the producers wanted us to keep anÂ eye on prior to the limo drop-offs were 29-year-old lawyer Catie, 24-year-old waitress Meghan, 31-year-old real estate student Shanti, 32-year-old spray tan business owner and single mom Dee, 24-year-old graphic designer/mermaid Lisa, and 27-year-old humanitarian/pageant queen Brittany M. Right out of the gate it seemed like Dee would be a good fit, mainly because she loves the rush of riding a dirt bike, and Meghan because she’s going to speak her mind. Shanti’s “kill list” scared me and her comments about scoping her competition has set her up to be the villain of the season. Once the cars started to roll in, I made mental notes on performer Pricilla and luxury travel nomad Kait.

Once the drinks started to flow, things started to get interesting. Chris fulfilled his promise to Mikaela and spoke to her first; by the time they finished their time together they were holding hands and he felt a connection. Chris also seemed to connect with Kait and Brittany M. But it was Dee who really felt a spark with Chris and she was awarded the all-important first impression rose. Shanti, meanwhile, was upset Chris didn’t approach her for a conversation and seemed ready to leave. Unfortunately, the producers got involved and had Chris go and talk to Shanti. It made for some good TV, but it would have been even better if they had let Shanti walk out.

Shanti was convinced that Chris’ arrival in the bathroom meant she would be getting a rose, but was that guaranteed? Who would be the ladies receiving an all-important flower?

Here’s who will be back next week:

Lyndsey
Shanti
Catie
Mikaela
April
Lara
Jessie
Stacy
Kait
Brittany M.
Ashley
Brittany W.
Lisa
Meghan
Dee (first impression rose)

What did you think of the first episode? Let me know in the comments below!

The Bachelor Canada airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on W Network.

Images courtesy of Corus Entertainment.

From a media release:

Get ready to fall in love, Canada! Our countryâ€™s bachelor is looking for someone to steal his bases â€“ and his heart. A recently retired Major League Baseball player from Mississauga, ON, Chris Leroux searches for true love when 20 beautiful bachelorettes vie for his heart on W Networkâ€™s The Bachelor Canada debuting this fall. Canadian Screen Award nominated television personality and actor Noah Cappe (Carnival Eats, Good Witch) returns as trusted confidant and host of the series. Following each episode, The Bachelor Canada After Show will dish out all the details with returning host and Q107 personality Jennifer Valentyne.

Thirty-three-year-old Leroux grew up with strong family values and an ingrained passion for sports. Introduced to baseball at a young age, Lerouxâ€™s hard work and perseverance paid off when he fulfilled his dream of playing Major League Baseball. Throughout his career he has played for the New York Yankees, Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. Lerouxâ€™s success is matched by his kindness, loyalty and sense of humour, and now heâ€™s looking for someone to share his laidback lifestyle and adventurous spirit with as he enters the next chapter of his life.

In the Canadian version of this smash-hit, romance reality series, Canadaâ€™s most eligible bachelorÂ is in search of theÂ womanÂ of hisÂ dreams â€“ and hopefullyÂ hisÂ bride-to-be. The Canadian bachelorÂ will search for love as 20Â womenÂ do whatever it takes to winÂ his heart. TheÂ womenÂ compete for the bachelorâ€™s affection via individual and group dates involving romantic encounters and exciting adventures. As the bachelorÂ narrows the field and the number of women dwindles, romance and tensions will rise. Ultimately,Â he will choose the one woman with whomÂ he wants to spend the rest ofÂ hisÂ life.

The Bachelor Canada is produced by Good Human Productions Inc.