Biography:
Justine Siegal (born 1975) is an American baseball coach, sports educator, and the founder of Baseball For All. She has made significant contributions to breaking barriers and advocating for gender equity in baseball. Her achievements as a coach and her unwavering dedication to the sport have made her a role model for aspiring female baseball players and coaches around the world.
Siegal’s journey in baseball began at a young age. Growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, she developed a deep love for the game, thanks in part to her grandfather, Alvin Siegal, who frequently took her to Cleveland Indian baseball games. Despite facing criticism and discouragement, Siegal never wavered in her resolve to play baseball. In fact, her father always signed her up for baseball rather than softball, allowing her to pursue her passion and challenge societal norms.
At the age of 13, Siegal encountered sexism in baseball when her coach told her she didn’t belong on the field because the sport was perceived as being exclusively for boys. Undeterred, she continued to play and became even more determined to prove that gender should never limit one’s involvement in the sport. By age 16, she set a goal for herself to become a collegiate baseball coach, despite facing further discouragement from others.
Siegal’s academic path also reflected her passion for baseball. After attending Brewster Academy and Hawken School, where she played baseball for two years, she pursued higher education with a focus on sport-related fields. She earned 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.
Throughout her academic journey, Siegal delved into various areas of interest, such as performance enhancement, leadership, sport management, coaching, gender equity, and youth sports. Her graduate studies equipped her with the knowledge and skills needed to address the challenges she encountered as a female coach in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Siegal’s groundbreaking achievements in baseball coaching began in 2009 when she became the first female coach of a professional men’s baseball team. Working for the Brockton Rox in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, she shattered gender barriers and paved the way for other women in the sport. In 2011, she made history once again as the first woman to throw batting practice to a Major League Baseball team, the Cleveland Indians, during spring training.
In 2015, Siegal achieved another milestone when the Oakland Athletics hired her as a coach in their instructional league in Arizona. This made her the first female coach to be employed by an MLB team. In addition to her work with the Athletics, she also had the opportunity to throw batting practice to several other MLB teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, and New York Mets. Siegal’s accomplishments on and off the field have significantly contributed to the growing acceptance and recognition of women in baseball.
Beyond her coaching career, Siegal founded Baseball For All in 2006. This non-profit organization aims to provide opportunities for girls and women to participate in baseball, both as players and coaches. Through Baseball For All, Siegal has organized national tournaments, established coaching clinics, and created development programs to support girls and young women in their baseball journeys. Her tireless advocacy for gender equity has helped countless female athletes find their place in the traditionally male-dominated world of baseball.
In 2016, Siegal had the honor of coaching the Israel National Baseball Team at the qualifier for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Her expertise and leadership were instrumental in the team’s progress, further solidifying her status as a highly respected figure in the baseball community.
Justine Siegal’s impact on society extends far beyond her individual accomplishments. Her determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to breaking barriers have challenged deep-rooted gender biases in baseball and beyond. She has inspired generations of young female athletes to pursue their dreams regardless of societal expectations, making her a true trailblazer in the realm of women’s sports.