One of Canada’s most decorated baseball players excited to join Blue Jays’ affiliate as coach

The Toronto Blue Jays’ home opener is still over a month away as they continue their pre-season play in Dunedin, Fla. Helping shape the roster leading up to the regular season is Canadian baseball trailblazer Ashley Stephenson.

Stephenson is one of Canada’s most most decorated baseball players internationally and is widely regarded as an icon in the sport. She was added to the coaching staff of the Blue Jays High-A affiliate in Vancouver for the 2023 season earlier this year.

“I didn’t know that this was really a possibility because when I was growing up, I didn’t see anybody that looked like me in this role. So this was somewhat of a new development. And one I’m certainly really excited about,” Stephenson told CityNews.

“Five years ago, I wouldn’t have said that this was a possibility for me.”

The 40-year-old Mississauga native played for Canada’s national team for 15 years, helping the team win three bronzes and a silver at the Women’s Baseball World Cup and a silver at the 2015 Toronto Pan American games.

In 2022, she became the first woman to manage the women’s national team program when Canada played a five-game series against the United States in Thunder Bay, Ont. Stephenson was also working as a high school teacher prior to taking on this role with the Jays organization but is excited to make the transition.

“I didn’t know where my journey was going to take me, to be honest. I really enjoyed teaching … because of the coaching aspect of it,” said Stephenson.

“I never dreamed that I would get an opportunity like this. I thought that I would be a huge part of the national program, and I still hope to be a huge part of the national program going forward,” she added.

Stephenson ready to contribute, help emerging talent

A true athlete, Stephenson also played hockey in the National Women’s Hockey League and the Canadian Women’s Hockey League from 2005 to 2012. She said one of the things she’s most looking forward to is being able to be that mentor similar to those who inspired her throughout her career.

“They’re some of the most important people in my life to this day; talk to them regularly. And so, to then be that for somebody else is really special,” said Stephenson. “To be able to connect with players and have really meaningful conversations, whether that’s on-field stuff, off-field stuff, just be able to connect with them and try to help them realize their dreams and their goals.”

So far, she’s excited for the season to come.

“Everybody’s really welcoming and inviting and asking how I’m doing and how they can help,” Stephenson noted. “Most players have come back stronger, faster, focused … Everybody seems really happy and looking forward to kind of getting a whole group together next week.”

Once spring training ends, Stephenson will be headed to B.C. to help coach the High-A Vancouver Canadians which include some of the Blue Jays top prospects, including Canadian outfielder Dasan Brown (Oakville) and lefty pitcher Adam Macko, who was born in Slovakia but raised in Alberta.

With files from The Canadian Press