Ronnie Gajownik, fresh off a season coaching in Double A and the Arizona Fall League, and one of only 11 women coaches in pro baseball, was cleaning her blinds one day in October when the phone rang. It was Josh Barfield, the Diamondbacks’ farm director.
After exchanging greetings, Barfield told her, “We want to talk to you about next season. So, we’d like you to be in Hillsboro ... wait. Hold on. I’m getting another call.”
What seemed an eternity passed. Based in Oregon, the Hillsboro Hops of the Northwest League are the High A affiliate for Arizona. Gajownik spent 2021, her first season in pro ball, there as a video assistant. But what role did Barfield have in mind for her this year? Minutes passed—maybe only five, but long enough for the suspense to build. Finally, Barfield returned from hold.
