Jen Pawol breaks MLB’s gender barrier as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game

By CHARLES ODUM, Associated Press Send this article to your social connections.

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ATLANTA (AP) Jen Pawol felt love and support from fans, family, peers and players as she made history as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game in the major leagues.

It was amazing when we took the field, Pawol said.

It seemed like quite a few people were clapping and calling my name.

That was pretty intense and emotional.

Pawols much-anticipated debut came as the first base umpire for Saturdays first game of a split doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins.

It was a smooth debut.

She did a good job, Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

You can tell she knows what she does.

Pawol said she had a group of about 30 friends and family members, including her father, at the game and she immediately identified a major difference of working in a major league stadium.

Those familiar faces were not so easy to find at Truist Park.

When I looked up they werent in the lower tier like in the minor leagues, Pawol said.

When I looked up it took me a while.

Whoa, theyre up there! Ill never forget that.

That was just awesome.

The dream actually came true today.

Im still living in it.

Im so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment.

...

Im just so thankful.

Pawols first real test came in the third inning of Atlantas 7-1 win when she called Braves catcher Sean Murphy safe on a close play.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough did not challenge the call.

Pawol also showed she will make animated calls.

When Miamis Xavier Edwards grounded into a double play in the third inning, Pawol pumped her fist and lifted her leg when she called Edwards out.

Pawol couldnt 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 worked third base in the second game of the doubleheader.

She will be in the spotlight when she calls pitches behind the plate in Sundays final game of the series.

As a rover, shell then be waiting for her next assignment.

While she waits, the umpire cap she wore in her first game will be on the way to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

This is one of the proudest moments in all my career, crew chief Chris Guccione said.

Ive been blessed with working playoffs, Ive worked two World Series, All-Star games, and this is right up there.

It gives me chills even thinking about it.

And the magnitude, it just hit me just now the magnitude of this thing and how hard shes worked.

This is just a great role model for girls and women out there and Im just so proud of her.

This is a special moment.

Im so proud of her.

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.

Pawol said Thursday she was overcome with emotion when notified she would make her Major League Baseball debut this weekend.

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.

Anytime anybody grinds their way through the minor leagues, I dont care who it is, thats a tough thing, Snitker said.

Im happy for anybody who grinds it out.

Asked if she is prepared for a confrontation with a manager upset about a call, including some known to kick dirt onto umpires, Pawol said it wouldnt be the first time.

More than dozens of times, she said.

It doesnt go very well for him.

The night is usually over for him.

Its just part of the game.

Pawol, who is from New Jersey, had only a few days to prepare for Saturdays 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.

Pawols 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 mens soccer World Cup first hired a female referee three years ago.

The NHL has not had any women as on-ice officials.

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