Major League Baseball is on the cusp of a groundbreaking moment as Jen Pawol is set to become the first woman to umpire a regular-season MLB game this weekend. As the Atlanta Braves host the Miami Marlins at Truist Park, Pawol will break new ground–officiating both games of Saturday’s doubleheader and taking the home plate position on Sunday’s finale.
At 48 years old, Pawol’s journey to this milestone has been defined by perseverance, skill, and a passion that transcends typical umpiring paths. This marks a major advancement not only within baseball but across all major U.S. professional sports leagues.
A Journey Through the Ranks
Raised in New Jersey, Pawol followed a path familiar to many athletes–playing softball at Hofstra University as a standout catcher and even joining the U.S. women’s national baseball team. After graduating, she spent years teaching while officiating NCAA softball games.
Her decision to pursue umpiring professionally began in earnest around 2015 when she attended MLB’s Umpire Training Academy. In 2016, she entered Minor League Baseball in the Gulf Coast League. Progressing steadily, by 2023 she reached Triple‑A–the first woman in 34 years to do so.
In 2024, Pawol officiated Spring Training games–becoming the first woman to do so in almost two decades–earning praise for her poise and performance. It was enough for MLB to place her on the call‑up list, positioning her for this weekend’s historic assignment.
“Once I started umpiring, I was like, ‘this is for me,'” Pawol said. “I can’t explain it. It’s just in my DNA.”
A Broader Movement of Inclusion
Pawol’s debut follows similar barrier-breaking moments in other leagues: the NBA welcomed Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner in 1997, the NFL turned to Sarah Thomas in 2015, and international soccer saw Stéphanie Frappart officiate the men’s World Cup in 2022.
Baseball has historically trailed in this regard. Pam Postema became the first woman to umpire an MLB Spring Training game in 1988, and Ria Cortesio did the same in 2007–both pioneering efforts that ultimately saw their careers stall short of regular-season assignments.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred celebrated Pawol’s achievement, emphasizing its significance for aspirational girls and women across the sport.
“This historic accomplishment in baseball is a reflection of Jen’s hard work, dedication and love of the game,” Manfred said. “She has earned this opportunity, and we are proud of the strong example she has set, particularly for all the women and young girls who aspire to roles on the field. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my congratulations to Jen and her family on this milestone.”
Impact on the Field and Beyond
Beyond the symbolic value, Pawol’s presence has already resonated throughout the baseball community. Managers, players, and colleagues have shown support–Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked, “It’s good for the game. It’s fantastic.”
Since breaking onto the Spring Training scene in 2024, she’s garnered respect not just for breaking barriers, but for her competence, positioning, and composure during games. This debut has the potential to inspire a new generation of umpires (regardless of gender) to pursue officiating at the highest levels.
“Anybody in baseball will tell you that you’ve just got to keep it simple, keep working hard, put your all into it and get ready for the next day,” Pawol said in 2024. “That’s all I think about every day – get better before tomorrow.”
MLB Breaks New Ground with First Female Umpire Call-Up