MLB Debut of Jen Pawol Recognized as One of Crew Chief Chris Guccione's Most Proud Career Achievements
Jen Pawol made history on August 2025, becoming the first female umpire to officiate a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game. The groundbreaking event took place during a Marlins-Braves series in Atlanta.
Pawol umpired three games in the series, including first base and third base in a doubleheader on Saturday, and behind the plate calling balls and strikes on Sunday. Her debut received broad recognition from MLB leadership and the baseball community. Commissioner Rob Manfred praised Pawol's hard work, dedication, and love of the game, calling her a strong example especially for women and girls aspiring to on-field roles.
Pawol's journey was noted as groundbreaking, coming after over 1,200 Minor League games starting in Rookie-level ball in 2016 and becoming the first female umpire at Triple-A in 34 years. She also worked Spring Training games, steadily advancing to reach MLB regular-season action.
Reactions from players and coaches were positive, emphasizing her strong composure and game management behind the plate. Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough both publicly congratulated her and praised her performance.
Pawol represents progress for women in baseball umpiring, where few have reached the highest levels. Her debut is seen as an inspirational milestone following pioneers like Pam Postema, Ria Cortesio, and Christine Wren, who paved the way though never reached a full MLB regular-season role.
The impact on the baseball community includes breaking a long-standing gender barrier in MLB umpiring, providing a highly visible example encouraging women and girls interested in officiating roles, renewing discussions about diversity and inclusion within MLB's officiating ranks, and highlighting the slow but growing presence of women umpires in professional baseball.
Pawol's cap from her MLB debut is being sent to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, immortalizing her achievement. Her journey from high school softball umpiring in New Jersey, to calling more than 1,200 minor league games, to earning the call-up for the Braves-Marlins series, is a testament to her persistence.
After the fanfare fades, Pawol will be just another umpire, but she has forever made her mark on baseball history. Fellow umpire Ed Novy, who knew Pawol for nearly 15 years and saw her potential at an umpiring clinic, predicted her would be the first woman to work in MLB about four years ago.
In summary, Jen Pawol's historic debut as MLB's first female umpire in a regular-season game is a landmark achievement rooted in years of perseverance, warmly received by the baseball community, and poised to positively influence the future landscape of umpiring diversity.
Jen Pawol's debut as an MLB umpire marked her as the first female to officiate a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game, a milestone that took place during the Marlins-Braves series in Atlanta. Further, Pawol's exceptional performance behind the plate on Sunday, along with her previous experiences in Minor League games and Spring Training, has paved the way for future women umpires in professional baseball.
