Jen Pawol shatters MLB's gender boundary by becoming the first female umpire to officiate a regular-season match
Jen Pawol Makes History as First Female Umpire in MLB Regular Season
In an unprecedented achievement, Jen Pawol made history on Saturday, August 2025, becoming the first female umpire to officiate a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game. Pawol was assigned to three games in the Marlins-Braves series in Atlanta, serving at first base in the opener, third base in the nightcap, and behind home plate for the series finale, where she called balls and strikes for the first time in a regular-season MLB game.
Background and Preparation:
Pawol's journey to the major leagues began in 2016 when she started her professional umpiring career in Rookie ball. She steadily advanced through the ranks, reaching the Triple-A level in 2023, becoming the first female umpire in 34 years to do so. In 2023, she was also the home-plate umpire for the Triple-A Championship.
In 2024, Pawol made history again by being the first female umpire in a Spring Training game since 2007. She served as a Triple-A crew chief and worked more Spring Training games in 2025, further honing her skills.
Pawol's approach emphasizes simplicity, hard work, and continuous improvement, focusing on getting better each day.
Game Highlights:
During the game, Pawol showed animated calls, such as pumping her fist and lifting her leg when she called Miami's Xavier Edwards out in the third inning. She also had the responsibility of checking Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrep's hands for foreign substances following the first inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep struck out the first two batters, and Agustin Ramirez lined out to third baseman Nacho Alvarez. Pawol called Braves catcher Sean Murphy safe on a close play.
Fans' Reception:
Fans gave Pawol a warm ovation when the video board focused on her between innings.
Future Assignments:
MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred lauded Pawol's accomplishment and expressed pride in the example she sets for women and girls aspiring to baseball roles. Her debut and positive reception from coaches and managers suggest a strong support for her continued assignments in MLB games, with hopes she eventually becomes a full-time MLB umpire.
Pawol has already received assignments beyond regular season games, including Spring Training and the Triple-A Championship, indicating continued trust in her officiating abilities. She is set to continue officiating at the major league level with an encouraging outlook for her future in MLB.
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Sports enthusiasts celebrated as baseball history was made on August 2025, when Jen Pawol umpired a regular-season Major League Baseball game, marking her as the first female umpire in the league's regular season. Pawol's preparation and hard work had initially led her to the Triple-A level in 2023, and her impressive performance in Spring Training games in 2024 and 2025 solidified her place as a promising MLB umpire.
