A Look at Female Coaches in the MLB

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 26 July 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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MLB Female Coaches

• Female Coach MLB Numbers: An Introduction
• Female Baseball Coach: MLB Becomes More Progressive
• The Challenges Faced by Women in the MLB
• Julie Croteau: Historic Milestones
• Rachel Balkovec: The First Full-Timer
• Alyssa Nakken: First On-Field Female Coach
• Frequently Asked Questions

For years, the world of Major League Baseball has been a hotbed of male dominance, not only in terms of players, but also in terms of the coaching staff. Recently, however, things have started changing, and there are now more female coach MLB stars working in the league than ever before.

This blog looks into the changing landscape of the MLB, showing you the exact figures, and looks at a few of the most notable female baseball coach MLB stars.

Female Coach MLB Numbers: An Introduction

In a remarkable progression between 2011 to 2022, the MLB has experienced a significant shift towards gender equality in terms of coaching. A decade ago, the idea of a woman as a coach in the MLB was unheard of, but as of 2022, there are 33 women involved in coaching. This transformation shows the MLB is working hard on inclusivity and diversity.

Today’s blog will focus on the female MLB coaches working today, and some of the most influential names. If you want to bet on baseball instead, check out our page dedicated to MLB sports betting.

Female Baseball Coach: MLB Becomes More Progressive

If you asked “what MLB team has a female coach?” back in 2011, you’d probably have been laughed at. In fact, in 2011, there was a grand total of zero MLB female coach professionals working in the industry. However, in the decade or so since, the MLB has been working hard to promote gender equality within the workplace, and they’ve made significant progress. In 2022, the world of baseball saw a historic event, with 33 women serving as coaches across various teams.

This was seen as a major step forward in the world of the MLB, as it was the most female coaches ever – and despite some opposition from right-wing groups, this inclusivity program was welcomed by almost everyone! Below, we’re going to show you a table of the years 2011 through 2022, listing the number of female coaches in the MLB for each year.

As you can see, there has been a significant change in the number of female baseball coach MLB names. In 2011, for example, there were zero women working as coaches – and it wasn’t until 2012 that the first female MLB coach appeared. The next few years were a bit stagnant, but in 2018, things really started to pick up, with five women working as coaches. Fast-forward to 2021 and 2022, and this number skyrocketed to 22 and 33 respectively!

This shows a hugely positive trend for the future, and it will be interesting to see the total number of women coaches once the 2023 season has finished.

The Challenges Faced by Women in the MLB

Despite the visible progress, female coaches in the MLB still face significant challenges. But the times are changing, and women are stepping into the coaching ranks with both grit and determination. However, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy ride for them, as female coaches in the MLB continue to face challenges.

For starters, let’s talk about stereotypes. You probably know the phrase: ‘Baseball is a man’s game.’ This is a persistent, negative stereotype that female coaches have to confront head-on, and from the moment they begin working, they’re having to battle against this stereotype. The players, staff, and even fans sometimes question their leadership and decision-making capabilities, and these coaches often feel they have more to prove than they really should.

And the challenges don’t end there. Imagine walking into a job where there aren’t many of your fellow peers. Few women have dared to tread this path before. As a result, finding a mentor or role model to look up to can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. It’s an isolating experience, but the women who took the leap of faith have, so far, done pretty well in the MLB!

There’s also the issue of representation. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot left to be desired there. We’re talking about a sport played exclusively by men. When the big decisions are being made, women’s voices are often drowned out. Of course, this isn’t unique to the MLB – it’s something women face in all areas of life.

However, despite these hurdles, these women persist, breaking barriers and reshaping the landscape of MLB. And let’s be clear, they’re not just doing it for themselves, or for the money. Many of them state they’re doing it for all the young girls with dreams of one day standing in the dugout, calling the shots, and changing the game, even if it won’t be in the MLB.

Julie Croteau: Historic Milestones

Julie Croteau broke through the glass ceiling of baseball in a way that’s already inspired other women around the US and the world. In 1993, she made history by becoming the first woman to coach men’s NCAA baseball. Her groundbreaking strides did not stop there, however.

Over a decade later, in 2004, she was appointed as the third base coach for the United States Women’s National Team. Under her guidance, the team managed to win the gold medal at the 2004 Women’s World Cup of Baseball held in Edmonton.

Two years later, she was promoted to manage the women’s national team. Croteau steered the team to victory in the Women’s World Cup in Taiwan, becoming the first woman to manage a women’s baseball team to a gold medal in any international baseball competition.

While Croteau didn’t manage to coach an MLB team, her coaching of the men’s NCAA baseball team was seen as a huge victory for women – and it kickstarted the trend of women entering baseball.

Rachel Balkovec: The First Full-Timer

Rachel Balkovec etched her name in MLB history by achieving several significant milestones. In 2019, she became the first woman hired as a full-time hitting coach for an MLB team, signaling a shift towards gender inclusivity in the sport. While there had been female coaches in MLB before, she was the first full-time hitting coach – which was pretty big news in itself.

Balkovec’s passion for the sport led her to a Master’s degree in biomechanics, a field that intersects sports science with mechanical principles. She used this unique perspective to shape her coaching philosophy and, in turn, revolutionize player development – traits she claims allowed her to be so successful in her positions.

Then, in 2022, she made even more progress; the Yankees announced that Balkovec would manage the Low-A Tampa Tarpons in 2022, which made her the first female in history to manage in affiliated baseball – a huge achievement, and one that prompted even more women to get involved in the sport.

Alyssa Nakken: First On-Field Female Coach

Lastly, let’s talk about Alyssa Nakken, the first full-time MLB female coach. Appointed by the San Francisco Giants, her hiring sent a clear message: Women belong in the MLB, not just on the sidelines, but in the heart of the action.

Nakken, a former college softball star, brought not just her love for the game, but a fresh perspective to the Giants’ coaching team. Her focus on culture and team chemistry made a noticeable impact, and the team’s results proved that female coaches are just as capable as men.

However, like her counterparts, Nakken faced a huge amount of skepticism and bias. Initially, she said that it really affected her – but she quickly learned to turn a blind eye to it, instead channeling the negative into motivation to become even better and prove to the “non-believers” she’s just as capable as any man. Well, Nakken has done just that, and she’s an inspiration to women and men around the world.