Her Turn at Bat: UWG Alumna Chrissy Baines Named General Manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes Share this page
To celebrate National Women and Girls in Sports Day on Feb. 4, UWG News caught up with alumna Chrissy Baines, whose journey reflects the resilience and leadership this day honors.
Chrissy Baines ’02 is taking her place at the top of the lineup – not as a player, but as a leader. Recently named general manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes – the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies – the 2002 University of West Georgia alumna is using her platform to shape the future of professional baseball while inspiring the next generation of women in sports.
With more than two decades of experience in professional baseball, Baines’ appointment marks a significant milestone in her career and the sport itself. She becomes the first female general manager in Albuquerque professional baseball history and the 15th active female general manager in Minor League Baseball.
“This opportunity means the world to me,” Baines said. “This will be my 25th season in baseball and my 23rd with the Isotopes. Transitioning into the general manager role feels like a natural progression after everything I’ve experienced throughout my career.”
Baines’ journey in sports began long before she entered the professional ranks. A lifelong athlete, she played softball, basketball and tennis growing up and went on to play college basketball at Reinhardt University before transferring to UWG to complete her undergraduate degree in sport management.
“Sports have always been a huge part of my life,” Baines said, recalling spending her childhood days on the playground playing from sunrise to sunset. “Being involved in sports definitely steered me in the right direction just growing up.”
Baines began her professional career in Savannah, Georgia, before joining the Albuquerque Isotopes organization more than 20 years ago. In 2015, she became assistant general manager, where she played a key role in business operations, community engagement and staff development. Her recent promotion places her at the forefront of an organization that has consistently led its league in attendance and fan engagement.
Beyond overseeing day-to-day operations and business strategy, Baines is most excited about the opportunity to mentor and develop the next generation of sports professionals.
“One of the things I’m looking forward to most is developing our staff,” she said. “We have so many people here who want to go on to Major League Baseball or to other organizations. I want to understand their goals and help them achieve them.”
For current UWG students interested in pursuing careers in sports and professional athletics, Baines offered advice grounded in her own journey.
“Find what you love and get involved,” Baines said. “Find great mentors and learn everything you can about every department. My first general manager always told me, ‘Learn everybody’s job,’ and that’s the advice I’ve tried to live by throughout my career.”
Baines said her appointment represents a meaningful step forward for women working in sports and for the broader community.
“I think it speaks volumes for women working in sports,” she said, adding that she hopes her role highlights the growing presence of women in leadership positions across professional athletics.
On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Baines’ story stands as a powerful reminder of what dedication, passion and perseverance can achieve and how a University of West Georgia education can help shape leaders across the sports industry.