Anna 
Sarah Edwards, a seasoned player and coach, has achieved another groundbreaking milestone in her illustrious career. Named the hitting coach for the CTBC Brothers of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), Edwards is set to become the first female on-field coach in Asian professional baseball history.
Edwards has had an extensive career, playing softball for Italy’s national team and baseball for the USA’s women’s national team. She’s also coached in several countries, including Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Holland, and Switzerland. Edwards previously worked as the first female coach in the Phillies’ system, as well as helping athletes secure overseas opportunities through Softball Jobs Overseas.
This new chapter began when Edwards was coaching in Japan’s Winter League and met the CTBC Brothers’ manager, Keiichi Hirano. Hirano, a four-time NPB All-Star, was impressed with Edwards’ coaching style, particularly her ability to communicate with players and solve in-game challenges. After observing her work with Minor League players, he knew he had found the right candidate to make history in Asia.
“She’s a very good coach. She will be very good for us,” Hirano said, emphasizing that for the CTBC Brothers, the decision was based on ability, not gender.
Edwards’ appointment marks a major step for women in professional baseball, especially in countries like Japan and South Korea, where the field remains overwhelmingly male. While women have taken on roles behind the scenes in leagues such as Japan’s NPB and Korea’s KBO, no woman has coached on the field until now.
Though Edwards faces some sexism and challenges along the way, including comments suggesting she should be a cheerleader instead, she remains focused on her goal. “I’ve done so much in the past that nobody can tell me that I’m not supposed to be here,” she said.
Edwards has earned the respect of her players, with many praising her for her ability to strategize and communicate effectively. Her work in Taiwan is already having a significant impact, with fans recognizing her and appreciating her role in changing the landscape of the game.
As Edwards leads the Brothers toward another CPBL title, her aspirations are clear: to continue dominating the league, and one day, to hold an even higher position in the baseball world, possibly as a manager or director of player development.
For now, her focus is on the team’s success. “My goal is to help this team absolutely dominate this year,” Edwards said. “We are striving to be that one team that’s head and shoulders above the rest.”
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