Jen Pawol to Make Baseball History as MLB’s First Female Umpire

Jen Pawol will make historical past as the primary feminine umpire in MLB when the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves face off this weekend on Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10.

The New Jersey native, 48, will probably be on the bases through the doubleheader on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Truist Park in Atlanta. On Sunday, Aug. 10, she’ll name balls and strikes behind the plate, MLB informed the Associated Press.

In 2024, Powell grew to become the primary girl to umpire spring coaching video games since Ria Cortesio in 2007.

“This historic accomplishment in baseball is a mirrored image of Jen’s onerous work, dedication and love of the sport,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned in an announcement from MLB. He added that the skilled sports activities league “are pleased with the robust instance she has set, significantly for all the ladies and younger women who aspire to roles on the sector.”

The umpire started her athletic profession as an all-state softball and soccer participant for 3 seasons in every sport at West Milford Excessive College in West Milford, N.J. She attended Hofstra College on a softball scholarship, the place she grew to become a three-time all-conference decide, and was a member of the USA Baseball ladies’s nationwide baseball workforce in 2001.

Pawol went on to earn a grasp’s diploma and was residing within the Binghamton, N.Y., space and taking instructor certification courses at Elmira School whereas taking part in ball on the aspect.

After umpiring Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA) softball from 2010 to 2016, Pawol attended an MLB umpire tryout camp in 2015. She was subsequently invited to the Umpire Coaching Academy at Vero Seaside, Fla., and was supplied a job within the Gulf Coast League in 2016, per the AP.

In 2024, she made her MLB debut umpiring spring coaching video games. She was the primary feminine umpire to take action since Ria Cortesio in 2007.

“For me, personally, I simply love doing the job,” Pawol informed MLB in 2016. “I am enthusiastic about it, and it is simply a part of who I’m.”

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MLB maintains 76 full-time employees umpires and makes use of fill-ins on crews for openings on account of accidents or holidays.

“Anyone in baseball will let you know that you simply’ve simply received to maintain it easy, preserve working onerous, put your all into it and prepare for the subsequent day,” Pawol mentioned in 2024, per MLB. “That’s all I take into consideration day-after-day — get higher earlier than tomorrow.”