Introduction to a Historic Moment
Umpire Jen Pawol #95 walks off the field after a game between the Atlanta Braves Miami Marlins at Truist Park on August 9, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images)
Jen Pawol has become the first woman in history to umpire a regular-season Major League Baseball game. Pawol’s much-anticipated debut came as the first base umpire for Saturday’s first game of a split doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. She enjoyed a quiet first inning, watching as Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep struck out the first two batters before Agustin Ramirez lined out to third baseman Nacho Alvarez.
The First Game Experience
The Braves also 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. As the first base umpire, Pawol’s responsibility was to check Waldrep’s hands for foreign substances following the inning. During that brief encounter, she also appeared to receive a warm greeting from Braves catcher Sean Murphy on his way to the dugout.
Pawol’s first real test came in the third inning when she called Braves catcher Sean Murphy safe on a close play. Replays indicated Murphy may have been out, but Marlins manager Clayton McCullough did not challenge the call. Pawol also showed she will make animated calls. When Miami’s Xavier Edwards grounded into a double play, Pawol pumped her fist and lifted her leg when she called Edwards out in the third inning.
Reaction and Anticipation
Pawol couldn’t help but notice her debut was being watched closely. Fans responded with a warm ovation when the video board focused on the umpire between innings, forcing her to take a quick glance at her image. Pawol will work third base in Saturday night’s second game of the doubleheader. She will be in the spotlight when she calls pitches behind the plate in Sunday’s final game of the series.
The Big Picture
There was much anticipation for her historic debut on Saturday. A crowd of photographers gathered while waiting for the umpires to walk onto the field from their entry ramp near the Marlins dugout. McCullough and Braves bench coach Walt Weiss greeted Pawol when lineups were exchanged at home plate before the game. Pawol then jogged down the first base line. She shook hands with Marlins first base coach Tyler Smarslok before taking her position on the right field line for the first pitch.
Quotes and Reflections
Pawol said Thursday she was "overcome with emotion" when notified she would make her Major 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 said.
The Backstory
Pawol, 48, has been working in the minor leagues since she was assigned to the Gulf Coast League in 2016. She was assigned the Triple-A championship game in 2023 and worked spring training games in 2024 and again this year. Pawol, who is from New Jersey, had only a few days to prepare for Saturday’s doubleheader. She said 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.
Pawol was a three-time all-conference softball selection pick at Hofstra. She worked as an NCAA softball umpire from 2010-16. Pawol’s rise to make MLB history came 28 years after the NBA gender barrier for game officials was broken and 10 years after the NFL hired its first full-time female official. The men’s soccer World Cup first hired a female referee three years ago. The NHL has not had any women as on-ice officials.
Conclusion
Jen Pawol’s historic debut as the first woman to umpire a regular-season Major League Baseball game marks a significant milestone in the sport’s history, paving the way for future generations of female umpires. Her achievement is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and perseverance in a field that has been predominantly male. As she continues to make her mark in the MLB, her story serves as an inspiration to many, showing that with determination and passion, anything is possible.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Jen Pawol?
A: Jen Pawol is the first woman to umpire a regular-season Major League Baseball game. - Q: When did Jen Pawol make her historic debut?
A: Jen Pawol made her debut on August 9, 2025, in a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins. - Q: What position did Jen Pawol umpire in her debut game?
A: Jen Pawol umpired as the first base umpire in her debut game. - Q: How did the crowd react to Jen Pawol’s debut?
A: The crowd responded with a warm ovation when the video board focused on Jen Pawol between innings. - Q: What’s next for Jen Pawol in the series?
A: Jen Pawol will work third base in the second game of the doubleheader and will call pitches behind the plate in the final game of the series.
