This is GREAT! The Normal Cornbelters have just announced they have hired Justine Siegal, the first female coach, to join Brooks Carey and the other coaches this season! This is a first for the team, and a first in league history.

This is SUCH exciting news! Congratulations Justine! Can’t wait to meet you!

Here is the official press release from the Normal Cornbelters.

The Normal CornBelters are excited to announce the hiring of the first female coach in team and league history.

Justine Siegal officially will be presented to fans and the news media on Friday, August 12th at 12:00 noon at the CornBelters’ offices, 1000 W. Raab Rd in Normal, IL.

Siegal, who has a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology, will be available for all questions and interviews.

“We are excited to have Justine as a permanent member of our coaching staff as we make our playoff push,” team president Steve Malliet said. “Her years of baseball knowledge are a perfect complement to Brooks Carey and his staff of great coaches.”

Last September, Siegal spent two weeks with the Oakland A’s in the instructional league; throwing BP, leading classroom exercises for the players and undertaking various other coaching responsibilities.

Indeed, she was the first female to throw batting practice for several MLB teams, including Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals.

In 2009, Siegal was named as an assistant coach for the Brockton (MA) Rox, making her the first female on-field coach in men’s professional baseball.

“We have this cultural myth that baseball is for boys and softball is for girls,” Siegal told USA Today in a major story about baseball on Wednesday. “The American consciousness is ready to tackle the question of why, and to offer opportunities for girls and boys to play baseball.”

Siegal founded the national nonprofit, Baseball For All, to provide opportunities for girls to play, coach, and lead in baseball.