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History Made: Jen Pawol Breaks MLB Spring Training Umpiring Barrier – Jen Pawol became the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball spring training game as Ria Cortesio in 2007, marking a meaningful milestone for women in sports officiating. The historic game took place in February 2024, though the specific date and teams involved were not instantly disclosed.

Pawol’s achievement follows a decade-long journey through the minor leagues, culminating in her officiating the 2023 Triple-A championship game. Cortesio, who paved the way, spent nine years in the minor leagues, reaching the Double-A Southern League before her release after the 2007 season.

Philadelphia Phillies star Trea Turner expressed support for Pawol, stating, “I don’t know much about her or statistics or anything like that, but if she’s doing a grate job, I love seeing the prospect for her, and I’m happy for her. I talked to her a little bit in spring training and she seems like a great person and I wish her all the best.”

Pawol’s path to umpiring was unconventional. A standout athlete at west Milford High School in New Jersey, excelling in softball and soccer for three seasons each, she initially attended Hofstra University on a softball scholarship. She earned three all-conference selections in softball and played on the 2001 USA Baseball Women’s National baseball Team.

After earning a master’s degree and pursuing teacher certification at Elmira College while living in the Binghamton, New York area, Pawol sought a more competitive outlet. “I wasn’t really satisfied,” she explained. “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.”

Her professional umpiring career began in 2010 with NCAA softball, followed by attendance at an MLB umpire tryout camp in 2015. She was afterward invited to the Umpire Training Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, and offered a position in the Gulf Coast league in 2016.

The Broader Landscape of Women in sports officiating – Pawol’s milestone is part of a growing trend of women breaking barriers in professional sports officiating. Violet Palmer became the NBA‘s first female referee in 1997, officiating a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Vancouver Grizzlies on October 31st. Shannon Eastin made history in the NFL in 2012 as the first female on-field official during a regular season game (though initially as a replacement official during a lockout), and Sarah Thomas became the NFL’s first permanent female on-field official in 2015, serving as a line judge.

Internationally,stéphanie Frappart of France became the first woman to referee a men’s FIFA world Cup match in 2022,and Rebecca Walsh officiated a premier League game in England in December 2023.

MLB currently employs 76 full-time umpires,supplemented by fill-in officials to cover injuries and vacations. The league has faced scrutiny regarding diversity in its officiating ranks,and Pawol’s advancement is seen as a positive step towards greater representation.