Jen Pawol has made historical past as the primary feminine umpire to work a regular-season sport within the main leagues.
Pawol’s much-anticipated debut got here as the primary base umpire for Saturday’s first sport of a cut up doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. She loved a quiet first inning, watching as Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep struck out the primary two batters earlier than Agustin Ramirez lined out to 3rd baseman Nacho Alvarez.
The Braves additionally have been set down so as by Miami right-hander Ryan Gusto within the backside of the primary inning, with no calls from Pawol wanted at first base.
There have been dozens of members of the family, pals and different supporters who got here out to the sector with handwritten indicators to cheer on Pawol. “Pawol making HERstory,” one of many indicators learn. “The time has come for one & all to play ball,” one other signal mentioned.
Pawol mentioned she instantly recognized a serious distinction of working in a serious league stadium. These acquainted faces weren’t really easy to search out at Truist Park.
“When I looked up they weren’t in the lower tier like in the minor leagues,” Pawol mentioned. “Once I appeared up it took me some time. Whoa, they’re up there! I’ll always remember that. That was simply superior.
“The dream truly got here true right this moment. I’m nonetheless residing in it. I’m so grateful to my household and Main League Baseball for creating such an unimaginable work setting … I’m simply so grateful.“
A landmark day for girls in baseball and one other Diamond Dream achieved.
As the primary base umpire, Pawol’s duty was to verify Waldrep’s palms for international substances following the inning. Throughout that temporary encounter she additionally appeared to obtain a heat greeting from Braves catcher Sean Murphy on his solution to the dugout.
Pawol’s first actual take a look at got here within the third inning when she known as Braves catcher Sean Murphy secure on a detailed play. Replays indicated Murphy might have been out, however Marlins supervisor Clayton McCullough didn’t problem the decision.
Pawol additionally confirmed she is going to make animated calls. When Miami’s Xavier Edwards grounded right into a double play, Pawol pumped her fist and lifted her leg when she known as Edwards out within the third inning.
“She did a good job,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “You can tell she knows what she does.”
Umpire Jen Pawol #95 walks to the sector earlier than sport considered one of a doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on August 9, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Pawol will grow to be the primary feminine umpire to work a Main League Baseball common season sport.
Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves / Getty Photographs
Pawol couldn’t assist however discover her debut was being watched intently. Followers responded with a heat ovation when the video board centered on the umpire between innings, forcing her to take a fast look at her picture.
Pawol will work third base in Saturday evening’s second sport of the doubleheader. She might be within the highlight when she calls pitches behind the plate in Sunday’s ultimate sport of the sequence.
There was a lot anticipation for her historic debut on Saturday. A crowd of photographers gathered whereas ready for the umpires to stroll onto the sector from their entry ramp close to the Marlins dugout.
McCullough and Braves bench coach Walt Weiss greeted Pawol when lineups have been exchanged at dwelling plate earlier than the sport. Pawol then jogged down the primary bottom line. She shook palms with Marlins first base coach Tyler Smarslok earlier than taking her place on the proper discipline line for the primary pitch.
In an announcement final week, Commissioner of Baseball Robert Manfred mentioned Pawol’s success is a mirrored image of her onerous work, dedication and love of the sport.
“She has earned this opportunity, and we are proud of the strong example she has set, particularly for all the women and young girls who aspire to roles on the field,” Manfred mentioned. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my congratulations to Jen and her family on this milestone.”
Pawol mentioned Thursday she was “overcome with emotion” when notified she would make her Main League Baseball debut this weekend.
“It was super emotional to finally be living that phone call that I’d been hoping for and working towards for quite a while, and I just felt super full — I feel like a fully charged battery ready to go,” Pawol mentioned.
Pawol, 48, has been working within the minor leagues since she was assigned to the Gulf Coast League in 2016. She was assigned the Triple-A championship sport in 2023 and labored spring coaching video games in 2024 and once more this 12 months.
She recalled Thursday a memorable second with longtime Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright throughout her first 12 months within the Triple-A. Whereas she was checking him for international substances, he advised her: “Jen, I just want you to know that I have daughters, and I think this is so cool, and I’m rooting for you, and good luck.”
Pawol, who’s from New Jersey, had only some days to organize for Saturday’s doubleheader. She mentioned she was advised of her long-awaited promotion throughout a Wednesday convention name with director of umpire improvement Wealthy Rieker and vice chairman of umpire operations Matt McKendry.
Pawol was a three-time all-conference softball choice choose at Hofstra. She labored as an NCAA softball umpire from 2010-16.
Pawol’s rise to make MLB historical past got here 28 years after the NBA gender barrier for sport officers was damaged and 10 years after the NFL employed its first full-time feminine official. The lads’s soccer World Cup first employed a feminine referee three years in the past. The NHL has not had any ladies as on-ice officers.
Extra from CBS Information
