Jen Pawol will make history this weekend as the first woman to umpire a regular-season Major League Baseball game when she officiates during the three-game series between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Pawol, 48, is scheduled to serve on the bases for both games of Saturday’s doubleheader and will take the home plate position on Sunday.
She began her umpiring journey in the minor leagues in 2016 after completing her training at the Umpire Training Academy in Vero Beach. In 2023, she reached Triple-A, becoming the first woman at that level in 34 years and was selected as the home-plate umpire for the Triple-A National Championship Game. Her major league experience expanded in 2024 and 2025, when she participated in MLB spring training games, becoming the first woman to do so since Ria Cortesio in 2007. That performance helped secure her place on Major League Baseball’s official call-up list.
A native of West Milford, New Jersey, Pawol was a standout athlete at Hofstra University, where she earned All-Conference softball honors. She also played on the USA women’s national baseball team in 2001. With advanced degrees and a background in teaching art, she later transitioned full-time into umpiring, driven by her passion for sports and competition.
Major League Baseball confirmed that a fifth umpire would be added to the officiating crew for Saturday’s doubleheader, creating the opportunity for Pawol’s debut. On Sunday, she will serve as the plate umpire for the series finale, marking a significant milestone in professional sports officiating.
Her achievement adds to a growing list of gender inclusion milestones across U.S. professional sports. The NBA welcomed its first female referees in 1997, the NFL in 2015, and women have recently officiated in the men’s FIFA World Cup. Major League Baseball now joins the ranks, while the NHL remains the only major league in the U.S. without a female official.
The baseball community has welcomed Pawol’s promotion. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called it “good for the game,” and others praised her poise and professionalism during previous spring training appearances. Her elevation reflects Major League Baseball’s ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within its officiating ranks.
Jen Pawol’s debut is not only a personal triumph but a momentous step for women in sports. As she takes her place on the field, she represents progress, determination, and a future where gender no longer limits opportunity in professional athletics.
