Jen Pawol Makes History as First Female Umpire in MLB in a Century
A lifelong dream is realized for Jen Pawol as she steps onto the diamond this weekend, breaking a significant gender barrier in Major League Baseball.
A Momentous Call
Pawol was in her Nashville hotel room when she received the long-awaited news: her major league debut was scheduled for the upcoming weekend. This marks a monumental achievement, making her the first woman to umpire in the sport’s 150-year history.
“I was overcome with emotion,” Pawol shared on Thursday. “It was super emotional to finally be living that phone call that I’d been hoping for and working towards for quite a while, and I just felt super full — I feel like a fully charged battery ready to go.”
A Decade-Long Journey
Her path to the majors began unconventionally during a high school conversation in New Jersey. A teammate, Lauren Rissmeyer, invited Pawol to umpire with her, an offer she accepted without hesitation. What started as a $15-per-game gig evolved into a profound career choice.
“I had no idea what I was doing, but I got to put gear on and call balls and strikes, so I was in,” Pawol reflected on those early days.
Mentorship and Perseverance
Pawol‘s dedication caught the eye of former big-league umpire Ted Barrett at an umpire camp in 2015. He recognized her physical capability and, more importantly, her eagerness to learn.
“Moreso than any female that I’d seen, she looked like she could handle the rigors of the job physically. But what impressed me was her willingness to learn. She seemed like a sponge, everything that we were teaching her. I’m proud that I made her aware of the opportunity.”
—Ted Barrett, Former Big League Umpire
Barrett cautioned Pawol about the challenging road ahead, predicting a decade in the minor leagues before a potential major league call-up. Pawol embraced the advice, embarking on a journey that included over 1,200 minor league games.
The Baseball Umpires Union has seen a steady increase in female umpires, with eight currently in the minor leagues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, umpire positions across all sports are projected to grow by 5% by 2032, indicating a positive trend for inclusivity.
Building on a Legacy
Pawol acknowledged the support of pioneering female umpires like Christine Wren, Pam Postema, and Ria Cortesio. She recalled Postema‘s parting words: “Get it done!” a message Pawol has vowed to honor.
Barrett, watching from Oregon, expressed his hope that Pawol‘s success will inspire future generations. “The hopes of this are that it inspires,” he stated. “Who knows, there’ll be a young lady watching the game on TV and says, ‘Hey, I’d like to try that.’”
Pawol will be part of crew chief Chris Guccione‘s team in Atlanta for the upcoming doubleheader, with approximately 30 family and friends expected to attend. She is slated to work the bases on Saturday and call balls and strikes on Sunday, cementing her place in baseball history.
