Marquette, MI – August 11th, 2025 – This weekend’s MLB game will be one for the history books as Jen Pawol became the first female umpire in the major league. Pawol began her training in 2016 after being assigned to the Gulf Coast League, and by 2023, she was assigned to the Triple-A Championship. Now at age 48, Pawol made her MLB debut.
On Saturday, Pawol’s much-anticipated debut saw her as first base umpire in the first game of a doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins. “The dream actually came true today. I’m still living in it. I’m so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment. I’m just so thankful,” said Pawol. Her first significant action came in the third inning when she called Braves catcher Sean Murphy safe on a close play, and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough chose not to challenge the call. Following the Braves’ win (7-1), Braves manager Brian Snitker praised her stating, “She did a good job; you can tell she knows what she’s doing.” After the game, Pawol donated her cap to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Pawol moved from first base to third base. The following day, Pawol continued to make history as she took the position behind the plate. In recent years, Major League Baseball has featured all-female broadcast teams and data analysts. Women have ascended to roles as general managers, scouts in the stands, and coaches on the field in full uniform. Never, in over 100 years, has a woman called balls and strikes in a major league game until Pawol raised her right hand at 1:38 pm and called a strike on the opening pitch of the Braves and Marlins game. The ball was immediately thrown to the sideline as a piece of history. Following Pawol’s historic moment, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough remarked, “She was composed, her zone was consistent, and the game was handled professionally. You wouldn’t know it was her first time behind the plate in the majors unless you were told.”
