Justine Siegal

Justine Siegal is an American baseball coach and sports educator who is particularly interested and involved in sports gender equity, and noted for her success in coaching baseball in contexts that were previously male-only. She is the first female coach in MLB history.^[1]

Early Life

Siegal was first introduced to baseball at a very young age. Her grandfather frequently took her to Cleveland Indian baseball games. At a young age she was introduced to the idea that only a certain gender can play the sport. Even at this age she knew that this idea was wrong and continued playing baseball despite what people said. She did not listen to people who discouraged her from playing baseball because it was a "man's sport". At age 16 she made the goal to coach at a collegiate level. She was discouraged from playing and coaching at this age as well. Although those around her discouraged her from pursuing this goal, she continued in this career path with her passion for baseball.^[2]

Academic and professional background

Siegal holds a B.A. from St. Olaf College with a concentration in "Leadership: Religion, Military, and Baseball", an M.A. in Sport Studies from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Springfield College (MA); her academic focus is in performance enhancement, sport management, coaching, gender equity, and youth sports. Siegel knew the difficulties of trying to be a baseball coach, so she went on to pursue her Ph.D to equal the level of opportunities.^[3] Siege's persistence is what helped her get the coaching position with the Oakland A's.^[4] Siegal through her academic backgrounds as well as experience on the field has given her an edge above the rest allowing her to become a coach having a method of coaching players on the field and off in a classroom setting. Currently, Siegal is the Director of Sports Partnerships at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University.^[5] As the director she is continues to work towards expanding the academic programs and relationships with Major League Baseball and other sports organizations. In addition, Siegal is the founder and executive director of Baseball for All, an organization that provides meaningful opportunities and instruction in baseball, especially for girls.^[6]

Coaching youth baseball

In 2002, Siegal formed the Sparks, the first all-girl team to compete in a national "boys" baseball tournament. A documentary film, "Girls of Summer" (not to be confused with the 1988 film of the same title), was made about the team. Siegal is also the founder and director of the nonprofit organization Baseball for All, which works toward gender equity in youth baseball^[7] by strongly encouraging and providing opportunities for girls to participate in baseball.^[8] This programs works on giving girls the sources needed to participate in the sport whether it means becoming a player, coach, umpire, or filling other baseball roles in hopes that other communities will extend their baseball programs to girls. Along with coaching youth baseball, Seigal has worked with Springfield College as an assistant baseball coach, being the only woman coach in the collegiate baseball ranks^[9] in the years of 2008-2010. In addition Siegal has been a coach and Technical Commissioner for the International Baseball Federation where she has coached for the World Children’s Team USA. This team went on to win gold at the Women’s Baseball World Cup.^[10]

Baseball for All

Growing up being told that baseball is a sport for man and softball is the sport for women has influenced her to start her own nonprofit organization called baseball for all. Baseball for all encourages and provides equal opportunities for girls with the same passion for baseball to connect and foster that passion playing baseball. Through Baseball for All Justine Siegal is trying to get rid of the status quo of females being discouraged from playing baseball. Not only does Baseball for All encourage young girls to pursue their love for baseball, but it also educates the public on the importance of equal opportunities for men and women.^[11]

Coaching men's professional baseball

Siegal in 2009, became the first female coach of a professional men's baseball team when she worked for the Brockton Rox as the first-base coach. In 2011, at the age of 36, was the first woman to throw batting practice to a MLB team, the Cleveland Indians during spring training.^[12] She has also thrown batting practice to the Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, and New York Mets.^{[13][14][15][16]} Siegal has proven to be more than qualified offering various skills and talents to players, which has led to her next big career move being hired by the Oakland Athletics in 2015 for a two-week coaching stint in their instructional league, becoming the first female coach of a major-league baseball team.^[17] David Frost, the A’s assistant general manager,stated that they we’re thrilled that Justine will be joining us for instructional league….she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise from years of playing, coaching, and teaching the game and all of our young players will benefit greatly from her time in camp.^[18] In response, Siegal has stated that she will do whatever they need^[19] in order to provide a successful season for the A's.

In September 2016 she was the mental skills coach for Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier.

External links

• Bio page at Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society
• Baseball for All website

References