Caitlyn Callahan, the newest coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates has found herself at the center of a controversy. Her hiring was viewed by some as “unprecedented” and a slap in the face to history. However, she says that wasn’t her intention and is focused on doing her job well with all other considerations secondary.
The “pirates mlb” is a team that has been around for a long time. Their new coach, Caitlyn Callahan, was hired to focus on the job and not the history of the team.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Caitlyn Callahan was standing at a Starbucks in the autumn of 2019 when she received a shock that altered the trajectory of her life when she peeked down at her phone.
With a few clicks, she learned that the New York Yankees had recently hired Rachel Balkovec as their full-time coach, making her the first woman in the big leagues. A door that Callahan had imagined was closed has suddenly swung wide open.
“If you’ve ever been in a playoff scenario when you’re the hitter and there’s someone on second [base] and you’re like, ‘Ready to go,’ you know what I’m talking about. ‘I want to be in the box like that,’ I thought to myself “According to Callahan. “I’m just really thrilled to see it. It gave me shivers because, to be honest, it felt powerful.”
And it’s a foreshadowing of things to come.
Balkovec became the first female coach in the 135-year history of the Pittsburgh Pirates a little more than two years after breaking a barrier Callahan assumed would hold forever.
Her expertise, skill, and drive convinced the team to appoint her as a development coach last month.
Caitlyn Callahan, the Pirates’ player development coach, stated, “To be fully honest with you, I didn’t believe it would be feasible for me to be a coach.” via AP/Don Hart/Pittsburgh Pirates
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington stated, “At a basic level, she possesses the attributes that we’d be looking for in any coach — a true ardent thirst for learning, for knowing about the finest and most current coaching approaches.” “She’s well-versed in all of the technological tools we’d utilize in player development. Most importantly, she aspires to help athletes improve and is committed to putting the individual first.”
It’s a perspective Callahan, 26, cultivated when softball enthusiasm in her southern California town waned in middle school. Her younger brother’s Little League coach recommended her try baseball, and she did a fantastic job during her little appearance.
Even though she switched back to softball in high school and went on to play collegiately at Boston University at St. Mary’s College, she couldn’t get away from baseball.
Still, Callahan figured that if she wanted to be involved in baseball, she’d have to work in a supporting role, which she did after graduation: two seasons as a major league scout liaison and then two seasons as an assistant general manager in the Cape Cod League, where her responsibilities for the Brewster Whitecaps included everything from making sure players’ pants fit to getting coffee for the coaches. Then a summer with the Staten Island Yankees as a baseball operations assistant. The Cincinnati Reds hired me as a minor league video and technology intern for two years.
“To be absolutely honest with you, I didn’t believe I’d ever be able to be a coach,” she said.
Last autumn, a phone interview with Pirates minor league technology and video coordinator Marc Roche resulted in an invitation to travel from Arizona, where she worked as a waitress during the winter, to Bradenton, Florida, for a hitting camp with a group of minor leaguers.
Callahan quickly distinguished herself in ways that had nothing to do with her gender.
Callahan strolled on to the mound during a batting practice session run by third-base coach Mike Rabelo, reached into a basket packed with baseballs, and began throwing batting practice.
“‘This is my moment,’ I thought. I need to demonstrate that I can contribute and assist,’ “According to Callahan. “That’s why I’m here, at the end of the day: I want to help the squad improve every day, just like Rabs. ‘I’ve got to establish that I can hold my own,’ I thought at the time. I didn’t even give it a second thought.’”
During batting practice, the batters donned specially constructed flickering goggles to assist them acquire better pitch identification. A errant fastball might spell disaster. Callahan needed to be as exact as possible.
She had been.
And now she’s a member of the ground-breaking group she admired just a few years ago, despite the fact that she still sees herself as simply another player who moved into coaching.
She’s there, like any coach, because she knows the game and is passionate about it. Her mission is to pass on her enthusiasm and expertise to the guys she will lead.
She’s all set for it.
“I believe that showing that you’re doing your hardest, that you’re working hard, and that you’re actively learning every day is half the fight. Coaches are aware of this “According to Callahan. “That’s something I try to do every day: learn something new and give it my all, and as long as I do that, I’m OK.”
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