Daily News | Sarah Edwards is the first female on-field coach in Phillies history
CLEARWATER, Fla. — In the course of two interviews for a minor league coaching job with the Phillies, Sarah Edwards impressed farm director Preston Mattingly with her perspective from a pro softball playing career that took her overseas. She demonstrated an interest in hitting instruction, a curiosity about learning new teaching techniques, and a willingness to put in long hours.That last detail isn’t insignificant. On the contrary, actually.
It just doesn’t have anything to do with why Edwards was hired, according to Mattingly. Entering his second year at the helm of the minor league system, he maintains that he didn’t know about Edwards’ status as a shatterer of Phillies glass ceilings. Last year, Edwards batted .356 with two homers for Bertazzoni Collecchio of the Italian Softball League. She played for the Italian national team in the World Games in Birmingham, Ala., an event that she described as “the biggest stage that I have ever played on in my career.”
The Phillies contacted Edwards through LinkedIn, with director of staff recruitment Steve Moser reaching out about a position that was listed as “player-development associate.” In a meeting with Parks, Edwards expressed an interest in “a role where I had more of a voice and can contribute more to help the athletes.”
In time, the mere presence of a woman in uniform may not attract attention. At least that’s the hope within the corridors of Major League Baseball. “Being able to watch them and their careers develop, it gave me the inspiration to say [to the Phillies], ‘Hey, I’d rather be a coach instead,’” Edwards said. “I don’t know if I would’ve had that courage to say that if I didn’t see other women in positions like that.”
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