Minor league baseball team hires first openly non-binary executive

A minor league baseball team in California continued its trend of barrier-breaking last week, when it announced the hiring of baseball writer and data journalist Jen Ramos. The new assistant general manager of the Sonoma Stompers is non-binary, identifying neither as a man or woman. ThinkProgress reported Monday that Ramos may be the first genderqueer executive in professional sports.

“I grew up being uncomfortable in my own skin, not being comfortable with my gender assigned at birth.” said Ramos, in an interview this week with Lindsay Gibbs of ThinkProgress. ” … Hopefully, being in this position as a sports executive who is openly non-binary, I can be an inspiration.”

An independent ball club, the Sonoma Stompers play in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Club league. Since their formation in 2014, the Northern Californian outfit has made a habit of pushing the boundaries in a traditionally conservative sport.

In 2015, Stompers pitcher Sean Conroy became the first openly gay pro ball player, and last summer, the team made headlines for featuring multiple women on its roster, something not seen in the game since the Negro Leagues in the 1950s.

“This is a place where it’s okay to be who you are,” said Ramos, who prefers they/their pronouns. “I hope to spread that mentality upwards in baseball, to the minor leagues and MLB.”

Ramos, who previously worked with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, said their goal is to give “150 percent” toward the team’s success, but hopes the context of their hire leads to progress.

“The best and most qualified person for the job might be someone you never thought of,” says Ramos, “and I hope that can be communicated.”

As the Stompers prepare to defend the Pacific Association Championship, Ramos will be tasked with improving business operations, in addition to their role as director of ticketing and fan experience, and media relations responsibilities.