Thu, August 07, 2025
First woman to umpire regular-season MLB game
Jen Pawol will become the first woman to umpire in a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game. She will umpire in the Atlanta Braves’ three-game series at home against the Miami Marlins which commences on Saturday.
MLB stated that Pawol will be responsible for making the calls at the bases in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader. On Sunday, she will be positioned behind the home plate, a five-sided slab of rubber at the front of the diamond where the batter stands to hit, and the last base a runner must touch to score a run.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated: “This historic accomplishment in baseball is a reflection of Jen’s hard work, dedication and love of the game…
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.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts voiced: “Baseball’s done a great job of being completely inclusive…I’ll be watching. It’s good for the game.”
The Major League Baseball Umpires Association (MLBUA) voiced: “The MLBUA congratulates Jen Pawol on her historic Major League debut…
This moment represents more than a personal milestone for Jen; it is a groundbreaking step for our profession and for the continued advancement of women in sports. Jen’s achievement is a testament to her skill, dedication, and perseverance. We are proud to stand with Jen as she breaks this barrier, and we look forward to welcoming more women into the umpiring profession.”
48-year-old Pawol has umpired for Minor League Baseball (MiLB) since 2016. She was on the USA Baseball women’s national team in 2001, according to The Associated Press. She became the first woman to umpire in a Spring Training game for 17 years in 2024. Spring Training refers to the preseason period when MLB teams prepare for the upcoming regular season by holding practices and playing exhibition games.
Last year, Pawol voiced: “I wasn’t really satisfied…Coming off of a huge competitive career, just playing locally, I wasn’t getting my fix. And I remember looking at the umpire and being like, I think that’s it. I got to go for that.”
This milestone comes 28 years after the gender barrier for game officials was broken by the National Basketball Association (NBA), 10 years after it was broken by the National Football League (NFL) and three years after the men’s soccer World Cup hired a female referee. The National Hockey League still has not had any women officials on-ice.
Rebecca Walsh became the first woman to referee in England’s Premier League in 2023.
MLB’s official statement can be found here.
