The Oakland Athletics, long one of baseball's most progressive organizations, have hired MLB's first female coach.
She's Justine Siegal, a 40-year-old who has coached collegiate and independent baseball, and will now be a part of the coaching staff for Oakland's Instructional League club in October.
Siegal has a history of barrier-breaking in baseball. She was the first woman to throw batting practice to MLB teams (she did so in 2011 for five teams, including the A's). She's also the first woman to coach pro baseball, when she was the first base coach for the independent Brockton Rox in 2009. Additionally, she also has a PhD in sport and exercise psychology and founded Baseball For All, a non-profit that helps provide opportunities in baseball, particularly for girls.
But for Siegal herself this is a heck of an opportunity, one she's been chasing for years. It's a two-week gig for now, but it could turn into something bigger. Here's more on what Siegal's role will be, via Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, and what the A's think about keeping her around:
“As a rookie coach, I expect to hit a lot of fungos, throw a lot of batting practice and help out wherever they want me to help,” Siegal said. “And I do like talking about life skills - I like to help people achieve their life goals.”
There is a chance that the opportunity could turn into a full-time coaching job with the organization at some point. The A’s do not have their minor-league coaching assignments set for next season so do not have an idea yet about potential job availability.
“Justine knows that nothing has been promised, but we’re not ruling that out,” [A’s assistant general manager David] Forst said.
Women coaching men is becoming more common on in pro sports. The San Antonio Spurs hired Becky Hammon as an assistant coach in 2014. She led their summer league team to a championship in July, summoning talk that she's ready to be a head coach in the NBA. In the NFL, Jen Welter was hired as a preseason intern by the Arizona Cardinals in July to work with the team's inside linebackers.
Siegal believes, based on her previous tenures coaching baseball, that her gender won't be an issue with the young A's players. She told the Chronicle:
“I’ve found from experience that men are surprised to have a woman coach, but when they realize you know what you’re talking about and that you care, you fit right in with the rest of the staff,” Siegal said.
As it should be for any new coach.
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