Jen Pawol has made historical past as the primary feminine umpire to work a regular-season recreation within the main leagues.
Pawol’s much-anticipated debut got here as the primary base umpire for Saturday’s first recreation of a break 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 relations, mates 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 significant distinction of working in a significant league stadium. These acquainted faces weren’t really easy to seek out at Truist Park.
“Once I appeared up they weren’t within the decrease tier like within the minor leagues,” Pawol mentioned. “Once I appeared up it took me some time. Whoa, they’re up there! I will always remember that. That was simply superior.
“The dream truly got here true as we speak. I am nonetheless dwelling in it. I am so grateful to my household and Main League Baseball for creating such an unbelievable work surroundings … I am simply so grateful.”
Following the sport, Powel donated the MLB cap she wore in her debut to the Nationwide Baseball Corridor of Fame and Museum, the group mentioned on social media.
A landmark day for girls in baseball and one other Diamond Dream achieved.
Jen Pawol is donating the cap she wore in her @MLB umpiring debut to the Corridor of Fame. pic.twitter.com/davkgjMAW5
— Nationwide Baseball Corridor of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) August 9, 2025
As the primary base umpire, Pawol’s accountability was to test Waldrep’s fingers for overseas substances following the inning. Throughout that transient 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 referred to as Braves catcher Sean Murphy protected on a detailed play. Replays indicated Murphy could 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 referred to as Edwards out within the third inning.
“She did job,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “You may inform she is aware of what she does.”
Umpire Jen Pawol #95 walks to the sector earlier than recreation certainly one of a doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on August 9, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Pawol will develop into the primary feminine umpire to work a Main League Baseball common season recreation.
Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves / Getty Pictures
Pawol could not assist however discover her debut was being watched intently. Followers responded with a heat ovation when the video board targeted 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 recreation of the doubleheader. She might be within the highlight when she calls pitches behind the plate in Sunday’s closing recreation 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 residence plate earlier than the sport. Pawol then jogged down the primary final analysis. She shook fingers with Marlins first base coach Tyler Smarslok earlier than taking her place on the precise area 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 chance, and we’re pleased with the robust instance she has set, significantly for all the ladies and younger women who aspire to roles on the sector,” Manfred mentioned. “On behalf of Main League Baseball, I lengthen my congratulations to Jen and her household 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 tremendous emotional to lastly be dwelling that cellphone name that I would been hoping for and dealing in direction of for fairly some time, and I simply felt tremendous full — I really feel like a completely charged battery able 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 recreation 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 overseas substances, he informed her: “Jen, I simply need you to know that I’ve daughters, and I feel that is so cool, and I am rooting for you, and good luck.”
Pawol, who’s from New Jersey, had only some days to arrange for Saturday’s doubleheader. She mentioned she was informed of her long-awaited promotion throughout a Wednesday convention name with director of umpire growth Wealthy Rieker and vp 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 recreation 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 girls as on-ice officers.
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