Athletics become 1st MLB team to employ female coach

The Oakland Athletics have made history by hiring Justine Siegal as a guest instructor for their Instructional League club from Oct. 4-17.

Siegal is the first female coach to be hired by an MLB club. She also made history in 2009 when she became the first woman to coach men professionally as first-base coach of the independent league's Brockton Rox.

"It's a dream come true," Siegal told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. "The A's are a first-class organization and it will be an honor to wear their uniform."

Siegal has a PhD in sport and exercise psychology, and the Athletics will have her give presentations on the "mental side of the game." The 40-year-old will also work with infielders and throw batting practice, among other duties.

"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."

"We feel like Justine has a lot to offer and that instructs is a great place to get her feet wet," Athletics assistant general manager David Forst said. "She'll be doing a little bit of everything."

The A's haven't set their minor-league coaching assignments for next season.

"Justine knows that nothing has been promised, but we're not ruling that out," Forst said.