Female Pawol makes history as Major League Baseball's first female umpire
Jen Pawol Makes History as First Female Umpire in MLB Regular Season
In a groundbreaking moment for sports, Jen Pawol, a 48-year-old umpire from New Jersey, has made history by becoming the first female umpire to officiate in a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game. This milestone was achieved during a doubleheader between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, in August 2025 [1][2][3][4].
Pawol, who has been umpiring in the minor leagues since 2016, worked spring training games over the past two years before her historic major league debut. Her dedication and passion for umpiring are evident, as she expressed enthusiasm about her career before the game and strives to work harder every day to improve her skills [2].
Pawol is scheduled to call balls and strikes behind home plate in Sunday's contest at Truist Park, following her historic debut. Furthermore, she is also set to work at third base in the second game of a twin bill on Saturday [4].
The historic milestone occurred in the first game of the double-header, with the location of the second game not specified. Pawol, who considers umpiring to be a part of her DNA, believes that professional umpiring is a viable career for both men and women, girls, and boys, echoing her sentiments, "This is a viable career, to become a professional umpire, for men and women, girls and boys" [1].
In an interview with Associated Press (AFP), Pawol shared her thoughts on her career, stating, "I just work harder every day and get better before tomorrow" [1]. She is aware of the gravity and magnitude of the historic milestone she has achieved and is grateful for the opportunities that have come her way.
References:
[1] Associated Press (AFP). (2025, August). First female umpire in MLB history makes historic debut. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/sports-baseball-mlb-women-sports-business-atlanta-georgia-8c7e52c7a676c8770d0de78c38e088a8
[2] Marlins.com. (2025, August). Jen Pawol makes history as first female umpire in MLB regular season. Retrieved from https://marlins.com/news/jen-pawol-makes-history-as-first-female-umpire-in-mlb-regular-season
[3] Braves.com. (2025, August). Jen Pawol becomes first female umpire in MLB history. Retrieved from https://www.braves.com/news/jen-pawol-becomes-first-female-umpire-in-mlb-history
[4] MLB.com. (2025, August). Jen Pawol to work behind home plate in Sunday's contest. Retrieved from https://www.mlb.com/news/jen-pawol-to-work-behind-home-plate-in-sundays-contest
In the historic doubleheader between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in August 2025, Jen Pawol, a 48-year-old umpire, made her debut as the first female umpire in a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game. On Sunday of the same week, Pawol is scheduled to call balls and strikes behind home plate in the next contest at Truist Park.
