A's first MLB team to hire female coach as Siegal named guest instructor

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 11: A detailed view of Major League Baseballs sits in the dugout prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum on May 11, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Oakland Athletics announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have invited Justine Siegal to be a special instructor for their upcoming Instructional League team.

Form October 4-17, Siegal will work with young players at the A's facility in Mesa, Arizona.

Siegal was previously the first woman to coach men's baseball at a professional level back in 2009 with the independent league Brockton Rox.

In 2011, Siegal gained more notoriety when she threw batting practice for the A's and five other MLB clubs: the Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Houston Astros.

A's assistant general manager David Forst is quoted in the team's official press release as follows: "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 stand to benefit greatly from her time in camp."

Siegel spoke briefly with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle about her appointment as a full-time coach, saying that, "It's a dream come true. "The A's are a first-class organization and it will be an honor to wear their uniform."

She'll do more than just on-field drills, too. Siegal has a PhD in sport and exercise philosophy, and Slusser says the team plans on having her lead classroom-style presentations regarding some of the more cerebral aspects of baseball: "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 told Slusser. "And I do like talking about life skills - I like to help people achieve their life goals."

Slusser added that Siegal could presumably wind up with a full-time coaching job with Oakland after this guest instructor period, though the A's have yet to map out their minor-league coaching situation for next season.

For now, at least, Siegal will take part in the instructional league activities and see what develops.