Outside the Stripes
Jen Pawol to become first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball game
Pawol makes her debut this weekend.
After nine years and 1,200 games umpiring minor league baseball, Jen Pawol will become the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball (MLB) game this weekend in Atlanta, when the Braves host the Florida Marlins.
Pawol, 48, began her umpiring career after her athletic playing days. She umpired several years of fast pitch women’s softball before applying and being accepted to umpire school in 2016. She became a minor league baseball umpire at all levels and rose to Triple-A, the highest minor league level. Pawol has umpired spring training games but this is the first time working games that count.
Pam Postema got to the Triple-A level in 1989. Christine Wren and Ria Cortesio both umpired in the minor leagues, but stalled out in Double-A baseball. Pawol is the first to make it all the way to MLB.
The NBA has had female referees for over 30 years, and Sarah Thomas became the first NFL official in 2015. The National Hockey League has never had any female officials.
Pawol will umpire first and third base in a double header on Saturday, and she will work the plate and call balls and strikes on Sunday. When there are MLB double headers, a fifth umpire joins the crew, as the home plate umpire skips the other game they are not working.
In an interview with MLB online, Pawol commented,
Umpiring is for me. It’s in my DNA. It’s been a long, hard journey to the top here. But I just love the camaraderie with my crew, with the fellow umpires. I love the travel. I love working out. There’s so many similarities being an athlete and an umpire, and I never have to leave the field when I’m umpiring. I’m just extremely focused on getting my calls right. And I’m so grateful to all those along the way who have helped me become a better umpire every day.
Congratulations to Jen Pawol on her promotion to the big leagues!
