Jen Pawol Makes History as MLB’s First Female Umpire

Jen Pawol is set to make history as the first woman to umpire a regular-season Major League Baseball game. According to MLB's announcement, Pawol, who has umpired over 1,200 Minor League games across all affiliate levels over 10 seasons, will be part of the umpire crew for this weekend's Marlins-Braves series in Atlanta.

Her extensive path to the big leagues started in 2016 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. She is among just eight women presently umpiring in the Minors, serving as a symbol of inspiration for a new wave of female officials. During a recent conversation, Nashville Sounds third baseman Oliver Dunn remarked to Pawol, “When I reach the big leagues and we share the field, we will have both advanced through all the levels together on the field.”

This weekend, Pawol is scheduled to officiate three games, including both parts of a doubleheader today. She will be positioned at first base for the first game and at third base for the second. On Sunday, she will face the ultimate challenge by working behind home plate for the series finale.

A Long-Awaited Barrier Broken

Although Pawol is the first woman to umpire a regular-season game, she is not the first to harbor this ambition. Pam Postema advanced to MLB Spring Training games in the late 1980s but never got called up. Christine Wren and Ria Cortesio also made it to the Double-A level in the Minors. Pawol has drawn inspiration from these pioneers, and she, in turn, serves as an inspiration for the small but increasing number of women pursuing careers in umpiring.

Pawol has received vocal support from throughout the league, including from longtime Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and Astros manager Joe Espada. Espada, after a Spring Training game earlier this year, told her, “This is your year. You're gonna do it. It's gonna happen.” This widespread support has buoyed Pawol, who said the opportunity is a culmination of a "10-year interview process."

“I'm aware of the gravity. I'm aware of the magnitude,” Pawol said. “I believe that I'm going to be a very good steward and representative for young girls and women, and boys and men, that this is possible.”

Pawol's achievement places her in a slowly expanding group of female officials at the highest level of men’s sports, including the NFL’s Sarah Thomas, who recently offered Pawol advice and encouragement. With her long-awaited debut, Pawol is not only breaking a longstanding barrier but also moving the cause forward for women officials in other pro sports. She paid her dues for a decade in the Minor Leagues, just like so many of her male predecessors, and now she will get her chance on the biggest stage.