MLB history is made as Jen Pawol takes the field as the league's first female umpire in a regular-season game
Jen Pawol has made history in the world of sports as she became the first female umpire to work a regular-season game in Major League Baseball (MLB). This milestone was achieved during the Atlanta Braves' series against the Miami Marlins in August 2025.
Pawol's journey to the MLB began in the minor leagues, where she spent six years honing her skills before her major league promotion. Prior to her MLB debut, she worked the Triple-A championship game in 2023 and spring training games in 2024 and this year.
On Saturday, Pawol was in the spotlight as she called pitches behind the plate in the first game of the doubleheader between the Braves and Marlins. She was assigned to work first base for the first game, and later moved to third base for the second game.
The Braves were set down in order by Miami right-hander Ryan Gusto in the bottom of the first inning, with no calls from Pawol needed at first base. Agustin Ramirez lined out to third baseman Nacho Alvarez in the first inning, and Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep struck out the first two batters.
Pawol's responsibility as the first base umpire includes checking for foreign substances on the pitcher's hands following each inning, a duty she performed diligently throughout the game.
Pawol expressed being "overcome with emotion" when notified she would make her Major League Baseball debut this weekend. She was told of her long-awaited promotion during a Wednesday conference call with director of umpire development Rich Rieker and vice president of umpire operations Matt McKendry.
Before her MLB career, Pawol worked as an NCAA softball umpire from 2010-16 and was a three-time all-conference softball selection at Hofstra. In 2016, she was assigned to the Gulf Coast League and has been working in the minor leagues since then.
While Pawol has made history in the MLB, the National Hockey League (NHL) has yet to have a female official work a regular-season game. The NFL had its first female regular-season official in 2012 with Shannon Eastin, who officiated as a line judge during a lockout. Sarah Thomas became the first woman hired to a full NFL officiating season job in 2015 and went on to work a Super Bowl in 2021.
Here is a summary of the first female officials in regular-season games for the NFL, NHL, and MLB:
| League | First Female Official in Regular-Season Game | Year | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------| | NFL | Shannon Eastin (line judge, replacement official) | 2012 | | NFL (full season hire) | Sarah Thomas (line judge, first full-time female official) | 2015 | | NHL | None to date | N/A | | MLB | Jen Pawol (umpire) | 2025 |
Pawol's historic debut was met with much anticipation, and she proved herself capable and professional throughout the game. Her achievement is a significant step forward for women in sports officiating and serves as an inspiration for future generations.
In the world of sports, Jen Pawol's historic debut as the first female umpire in a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game occurred during the Atlanta Braves' series against the Miami Marlins in August 2025, following her promotion from the minor leagues. After working the Triple-A championship game in 2023 and spring training games in 2024 and 2025, she was responsible for checking for foreign substances on the pitcher's hands following each inning during her MLB debut.
