Diamondbacks affiliate Hillsboro names woman as manager

PHOENIX (AP) — Ronnie Gajownik has been hired as manager of the Hillsboro Hops, becoming the first woman to manage a minor league High-A team, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Friday. Gajownik served as video coordinator for the Hops in 2021. She was on the coaching staff of the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Diamondback’s Double-A affiliate, last season as first-base coach. Rachel Balkovec became the first woman to manage a professional baseball team last year when she coached the New York Yankees’ Single-A club, the Tampa Tarpons.