Bianca Smith

Bianca Smith is a professional baseball coach recognized for breaking barriers in the sport. The Boston Red Sox hired Smith as a Minor League coach, making her the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball. Her achievement followed years of preparation, including graduating from Dartmouth College, where she played varsity softball and club baseball, and earning a dual JD/MBA at Case Western Reserve University, where she served as director of baseball operations. Smith expanded her expertise through internships with the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds organizations, and held coaching positions as assistant coach and hitting coordinator at Carroll University in Wisconsin and as an assistant coach at the University of Dallas.

Smith’s coaching philosophy emphasizes science and individualization. She studied biomechanics to enhance her coaching, focusing on how each athlete’s body works and tailoring drills accordingly. Her approach incorporates statistical metrics and data analysis, aligning with the Red Sox’s emphasis on player development.

Smith worked at the club’s rookie-league complex in Fort Myers, Florida, primarily coaching outfielders and base-running skills, and also coached with Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League. She addressed skepticism directly, responding to doubters by demonstrating her capabilities on the field. Smith’s historic hire received recognition from figures across sports, including Billie Jean King, and she was honored at California State University for the 50th anniversary of Title IX. She has also earned sponsorships from brands such as Nike, Oakley, and Topps.

Following her tenure with the Red Sox, Smith expanded her international coaching experience. She serves as a coach and sports exchange advisor for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and as a hitting coach for Great Britain Baseball. In Japan, Smith works as a sports exchange advisor through the JET Program, assisting a baseball team in Higashikawa, Hokkaido, with a focus on hitting, outfield defense, analytics, and baserunning strategies. Smith has coached in five countries across three continents. Her story was featured on the NHK television series "Where We Call Home," which profiled her work training children and teens in Hokkaido Prefecture. Through her platform, "Go Be the First," Smith shares her experiences and encourages others, particularly women and people of color, to pursue opportunities in underrepresented fields.