Jen Pawol's groundbreaking debut as the first female MLB umpire in a regular-season game
On Saturday, August 9, history will be made in the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) as Jen Pawol takes the field as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game. The momentous occasion will take place during a doubleheader between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pawol's career progression in baseball umpiring spans over a decade, starting from part-time softball umpiring during her collegiate playing career at Hofstra University. After her playing days, she umpired NCAA softball from 2010-16. In 2016, she committed full-time to baseball umpiring, attending the Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, and advancing to the MiLB Advanced Course in 2017.
The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. ET. Pawol will work both ends of the Saturday doubleheader, starting as the first base umpire and later moving to home plate for the second game on August 10. After the doubleheader, she will also work the Sunday series finale between the same teams.
Both managers and several players have congratulated and welcomed Pawol during the game. Javier Bracamonte, Astros bullpen coach, expressed support for Pawol, mentioning his daughter playing sports. Pawol shared positive sentiments about the field environment during her historic game.
The doubleheader will be live-streamed on Fubo, and the TV coverage will be provided by MLB Network. The odds for the Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins game are Braves (-192), Marlins (+158), and the Over/Under is 9 at FanDuel.
Pawol reached the Triple-A level in 2023 and was the home plate umpire for the Triple-A National Championship Game, becoming the first woman in 34 years at that level. In 2024, she became the first female ump to work a spring-training game since Ria Cortesio in 2007.
Pawol credits mentors Pam Postema and Ria Cortesio, pioneering women umpires who reached Spring Training but not regular-season MLB, throughout her journey. She has been recognized as a beacon of progress for the few women currently umpiring in the minors, representing breaking barriers in a male-dominated field.
References:
- MLB.com
- ESPN
- CBS Sports
- USA Today
- Sports Illustrated
- Jen Pawol, the first female umpire to work a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game, will be making history on August 9 during a doubleheader between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves.
- The live-stream of the doubleheader will be available on Fubo, with TV coverage provided by MLB Network.
- For the first game, Pawol will work as the first base umpire, moving to home plate for the second game on August 10.
- Odds for the Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins game show Braves (-192) as favorites, while the Marlins (+158) are considered underdogs, with the Over/Under set at 9 on FanDuel.
- Pawol has reached the Triple-A level and was the home plate umpire for the Triple-A National Championship Game, being the first woman at that level in 34 years.
- Throughout her journey, Pawol has cited mentors Pam Postema and Ria Cortesio, pioneering women umpires, as key influences, representing a breakthrough in a traditionally male-dominated field.
