May 28, 2009 5:35 pm US/Mountain
Woman Makes History As 1st Female Baseball Coach
BROCKTON, Mass. (CBS) ―
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Justine Seigal is the first woman to coach a professional baseball team. (File)
WBZ
Calling herself a pioneer, Justine Seigal is making history as she assumes the role of head coach for the Brockton Rox baseball team.
Seigal is the first woman to coach a men's professional baseball team, reports CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston.
"I waited a long time for something like this to happen," she said. "Just knowing this is something I've been working towards my whole life, and it's here."
The 34-year-old mother of a young daughter took to the field Thursday night and led her team of male baseball players.
Seigal comes from Springfield College where she was an assistant coach.
"Without pioneers there's no progress," she said. "This is a moment when we're going to have progress in baseball. And if it can inspire other boys and girls to fulfill their dreams then that's a privilege for me to be a part of."
The manager of the Boston Rox, Chris Carminucci, said it didn't matter that Seigal is a woman, but that she knows what she is doing as a coach.
"She's been great. She's done everything we've asked of her," Carminucci said. "She's throwing batting practice. She's coached first base very well. She's done a great job for us."
Once skeptical players are now supportive of their new coach.
"It was a little bit of a surprise because I've never had a woman coach, but baseball is for everyone -– boys and girls," said Rox pitcher James Baker.
But Siegal says breaking into the baseball boy's club shouldn't be as hard as it has been.
"We have women in Iraq right now leading soldiers," she said. "If they can lead soldiers then we can lead a baseball team."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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