Jen Pawol Makes History as MLB's First Female Umpire

Source: Jeff Robertson/ AP file

Jen Pawol has made history by becoming the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball (MLB) regular-season game. The 48-year-old achieved this groundbreaking milestone on August 9, 2025, when she officiated both games of a doubleheader between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta. She returned the following day, serving as the home plate umpire for the series finale. This achievement not only marks a significant personal triumph for Pawol but also paves the way for women in professional sports officiating.

First Female Umpire: Career Built on Dedication

Pawol’s journey to the MLB was fueled by years of hard work, determination, and a deep passion for the game. Her path began in 2016 when she attended the Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy in Vero Beach, Florida. After completing the academy’s Advanced Course in 2017, she embarked on her professional career, starting in the Gulf Coast League. By 2023, she had made her mark as the first female umpire at the Triple-A level in 34 years, even officiating the Triple-A National Championship Game in September 2023.

In 2024, Pawol made history once again, becoming only the third woman to umpire in spring training after Pam Postema and Ria Cortesio. She also reached the significant milestone of being a crew chief in Triple-A. By March 2025, she was added to MLB’s call-up list, signaling that she could be tapped to officiate in Major League games when needed. Pawol was selected for spring training again in 2025, and her work as an MLB call-up continued to demonstrate her remarkable skills and determination.

Breaking Barriers in Baseball

Pawol’s promotion to the MLB level is an extraordinary moment for the sport, which has seen only a few women in officiating roles over the years. While Pam Postema became the first female umpire to officiate a Major League Baseball spring training game in 1988, and Ria Cortesio became the first woman to umpire an MLB exhibition game in 2007, neither received a true call-up to the regular season. Pawol’s debut marks the first time a woman has officiated a regular-season MLB game.

In a statement reflecting on the historic nature of her call-up, Pawol described her emotions as being "like a fully charged battery ready to go." She credited her success to years of preparation and the incredible opportunity to break a long-standing barrier in MLB officiating. Her perseverance and hard work have not only paved the way for her but also for future generations of women aspiring to follow in her footsteps.

Jen Pawol’s debut as the first female umpire in a regular-season MLB game is not just a personal milestone but a triumph for women in sports officiating. Her journey to this point highlights the power of perseverance, hard work, and the breaking down of barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Pawol’s achievement is an inspiration to countless young athletes, particularly women, who dream of making their mark in professional sports.

As Pawol continues her career, she remains a trailblazer, proving that dedication, determination, and passion for the game can overcome any obstacle.

References:

1. Washington Post – "MLB's first female umpire just received the call of a lifetime"https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/08/08/woman-umpire-mlb-jen-pawol

2. New York Post – "Jen Pawol's 'super emotional' reaction to becoming MLB's first woman umpire: 'Like a fully charged battery'"https://nypost.com/2025/08/08/sports/jen-pawols-reaction-to-making-history-as-mlbs-first-woman-umpire

3. Houston Chronicle – "How Astros manager encouraged MLB's first woman umpire"https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/joe-espada-helps-first-woman-umpire-20809242.php

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