Oakland Athletics hire MLB’s first female coach

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The A's became the first major league team to employ a female coach Tuesday when they announced they have hired Justine Siegal to serve as a guest instructor for the team's Instructional League in Arizona Oct. 4-17.

Siegal already has experience coaching at the professional level — she became the first woman to coach men's baseball professionally when she served as first-base coach for the Brockton Rox, an independent baseball team, in 2009.

Then in spring training of 2011, she threw batting practice for six major league teams: the A's, Indians, Rays, Cardinals, Astros and Mets.

"We're thrilled that Justine will be joining us for Instructional League," A's assistant general manager David Forst said. "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 stand to benefit greatly from her time in camp."

Siegal will assist the A's player development staff both on and off the field when she joins the team for Instructional League next month.