The Lexington Legends announced today, in conjunction with the Louisville Slugger Hitting Science Center, that Lindsay Gardner will join the association in a coaching role. Gardner will become the first female coach in Atlantic League history, as a hitting consultant for the yet-to-be-named new Atlantic League team.
Aside from her on-field softball career with the Texas Longhorns, the USA national softball team, and National Pro Fastpitch, Gardner owns a long history of coaching.
After five seasons serving as Head Softball Coach at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, Gardner founded Just Dig In, a baseball and softball training company specializing in hitting mechanics and mindset.
Gardner envisioned, for a long time, the day when she would become part of a pro baseball coaching staff and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“I have dreamt of this day for many, many years,” Gardner said. “I am so thankful for the opportunity, and I am blessed with an incredible support staff who helped pave the way for my welcoming into professional baseball.”
Lexington Legends CEO, Andy Shea, put the importance of the monumental signing of the Gardner hire into perspective saying, “Lindsay is the perfect person at the perfect time to join our organization as we continue to expand the footprint of baseball and softball in Kentucky and on a national scale.”
Peter Woodfork, MLB’s Senior Vice President for Minor League Operations & Player Development, said: “We are thrilled that one of our partner leagues is welcoming an eminently qualified individual as a coach and continuing the momentum of talented women holding on-field and player-facing roles.”
Woodfork proceeded to note that Gardner previously participated in Take The Field, MLB’s annual program designed to bring more women into baseball operations and on-field roles, in 2019.
Gardner will serve as the Hitting Development Coordinator for the newest Atlantic League team, who the Legends will announce the club’s name on February 8th. Alongside the Lexington Legends, this new team will share Lexington Legends Ballpark, which will also have a new name announced on February 8th.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 