Who is Jen Pawol? All about MLB’s first female umpire

Jen Pawol is making history as she now assumes the role of the first female umpire in a regular-season MLB game.

MLB has reported that Pawol is scheduled to umpire three games during this weekend's Marlins-Braves series, which will take place in Atlanta. That will include the bases in Saturday's doubleheader at Truist Park and the plate the following day, NBC News has reported.

Jen Pawol, 48, is a native of New Jersey, the outlet has reported. She worked for spring training games both last year and this year. She is now one of 17 Triple-A umpires who stand eligible to be called for an MLB game if needed, the league has said in a statement, per CNN.

According to CBS Sports, the New Jersey native and Hofstra University alumnus began her career as an umpire in 2016 for the rookies, though by 2023, she'd reached the Triple-A level. Last year, she became the first woman to work a spring-training game since 2007.

Jen Pawol says she knew umpiring was for her from the get-go: Read more

Speaking with the Associated Press about her feat, Jen Pawol said:

"I greatly appreciate everyone's enthusiasm, everyone's welcoming attitude on the field. Tonight was very, very special. Both managers shared congratulations, welcoming, enthusiastic. The players on the field, so many said congrats and great to see you up here. A gentleman, Javier [Bracamonte, Astros bullpen coach], he ran out early in the game and said he has a daughter playing all kinds of sports. It's good to see you out here.''

Just last year, while working the Florida Grapefruit League, she said, according to CBS News:

"Once I started umpiring, I was like, 'this is for me. I can't explain it. It's just in my DNA."

Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. has also issued a statement acknowledging Jen Pawol's feat:

"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. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my congratulations to Jen and her family on this milestone."

NBC News has pointed out that the shift at MLB comes 28 years after the NBA broke similar traditions, 10 years for the NFL, and three years in the men's soccer World Cup, which employed a woman as its referee in 2022.

"I wasn't really satisfied," she said last year. "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."

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