Women's Baseball World Cup star Ashley Stephenson to coach at Single-A for MLB's Toronto Blue Jays

Former Canadian Women's Baseball National Team player and coach Ashley Stephenson will coach at the High Single-A level for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB).

"I am really excited for this opportunity," Stephenson told the Baseball Canada website. "I’ve loved baseball and the Blue Jays since I was three years old, and never really imagined that I’d be able to have a career in the game, let alone with my favourite team."

She added, "I'm looking forward to continuing to grow and develop as a coach, all while doing my best to help our players reach their ultimate goal."

An original member of the Canadian Women's National Team from 2004, the 40-year-old Stephenson represented Canada as a player until 2018.

She retired as a player after leading Canada with a .455 batting average, 10-for-22 with eight RBIs, to a bronze medal at the 2018 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup.

She was part of the coaching staff that led Canada to a bronze medal at the Pan-American Games 2019 and managed the National Team during a five-game friendly series against the United States in 2022.

"On behalf of Baseball Canada and our board of directors, we are thrilled for Ashley and the experience in professional baseball that she has in front of her," said Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson. "Ashley played the game with incredible passion and knowledge and translated both attributes into her coaching career. We wish her nothing but the best in this next chapter of her baseball career."

Stephenson completed a four-year term as a member of the WBSC Athletes Commission at the end of last year.