TAMPA, Fla. — The next glass ceiling will have to wait. Rachel Balkovec, who will become the first woman to manage an affiliated baseball team, was injured in a hitting drill on Tuesday and will not be in the dugout on Thursday when her team plays its first spring training game.
Balkovec, named the manager of the low Class-A Tampa Tarpons, was hit in the face with a batted ball during hitting drills at the indoor cages at the minor league complex. She experienced swelling and the initial diagnosis does not include a concussion.
“All things considered, I feel very fortunate,” Balkovec said. “The doctors have asked me to be smart about limiting my activities over the next several days, and I plan on following their guidance. As much as I already miss being around the players and staff, I do not anticipate this affecting my role and responsibilities for the regular season.”
