History was made at Truist Park on August 9, 2025, as Jen Pawol stepped onto the diamond and broke one of Major League Baseball’s most persistent barriers. The 48-year-old New Jersey native became the first female umpire to officiate a regular-season MLB game, serving as the first base umpire during the opening contest of a split doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins. It was a day of emotion, celebration, and a testament to years of perseverance—not just for Pawol, but for the generations of women and girls inspired by her journey.
The anticipation in Atlanta was palpable. As Pawol and her fellow umpires emerged from the entry ramp near the Marlins dugout, a crowd of photographers jostled for the perfect shot, capturing a moment that will surely be replayed for years to come. Fans in the stands rose to their feet, offering a standing ovation as Pawol jogged down the first base line, her name ringing out from the crowd. Signs dotted the stadium, bearing messages like “Pawol making HERstory” and “The time has come for one & all to play ball.” For Pawol, it was more than just a professional milestone—it was the realization of a lifelong dream. “It was amazing when we took the field,” she reflected after the game. “It seemed like quite a few people were clapping and calling my name. That was pretty intense and emotional.”
Among the sea of supporters were about 30 of Pawol’s closest friends and family members, including her father. Used to seeing familiar faces in the lower tiers at minor league parks, Pawol had to search the upper decks of Truist Park to spot her cheering section. “When I looked up they weren’t in the lower tier like in the minor leagues,” Pawol said. “When I looked up it took me a while. Whoa, they’re up there! I’ll never forget that. That was just awesome.”
The game itself unfolded with a sense of occasion but also business as usual—a testament to Pawol’s poise and skill. Braves rookie Hurston Waldrep set the tone in the top of the first, retiring the Marlins in order with 13 pitches, eight of them strikes. As Waldrep made his way to the dugout, Pawol conducted a routine check for illegal substances on his glove and right hand. Nothing was amiss, and the rookie continued on, but the moment was symbolic: Pawol was not just a spectator to history—she was authoring it, one call at a time.
Her first real test came in the third inning. On a close play at first, Pawol called Braves catcher Sean Murphy safe, a decision that stood as Marlins manager Clayton McCullough chose not to challenge. Pawol’s style was immediately apparent—animated and decisive. When Miami’s Xavier Edwards grounded into a double play later in the inning, Pawol pumped her fist and lifted her leg in a flourish that drew cheers from the crowd. Between innings, the video board focused on her, prompting another warm ovation and a quick, bashful glance at her own image. It was clear: the fans were behind her every step of the way.
Braves manager Brian Snitker was quick to praise her performance. “She did a good job,” he said. “You can tell she knows what she does.” Crew chief Chris Guccione was equally effusive, calling Pawol’s debut “one of the proudest moments in all my career.” He added, “I’ve been blessed with working playoffs, I’ve worked two World Series, All-Star games, and this is right up there. It gives me chills even thinking about it. And the magnitude, it just hit me just now the magnitude of this thing and how hard she’s worked. This is just a great role model for girls and women out there and I’m just so proud of her. This is a special moment. I’m so proud of her.”
The magnitude of Pawol’s achievement extends far beyond one afternoon in Atlanta. Her journey to the majors began in 2016, when she graduated from Minor League Baseball’s umpire camp and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League. Since then, she’s umpired more than 1,200 minor league games, including the 2023 Triple-A championship. She’s worked NCAA softball games, earned three all-conference selections at Hofstra, and even called MLB spring training games in 2023 and 2024—the first woman to do so since 2007. Her cap and mask from her historic minor league games are now enshrined at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and after this game, the cap she wore in her MLB debut will join them.
Pawol’s rise comes 28 years after Violet Palmer broke the NBA’s gender barrier for game officials, 10 years after Sarah Thomas became the NFL’s first full-time female official, and just three years after the men’s soccer World Cup appointed its first female referee. The NHL, notably, still awaits its first female on-ice official. As MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred put it, “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.”
The days leading up to the debut were a whirlwind for Pawol. She was notified of her promotion during a Wednesday conference call with director of umpire development Rich Rieker and vice president of umpire operations Matt McKendry. The news left her “overcome with emotion.” “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,” Pawol said.
Her preparation for the big leagues was anything but rushed. Pawol recalled a memorable moment with longtime Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright during her first year in Triple-A. As she checked him for foreign substances, Wainwright offered words of encouragement: “Jen, I just want you to know that I have daughters, and I think this is so cool, and I’m rooting for you, and good luck.”
Of course, being a trailblazer means facing the full spectrum of baseball’s challenges. Asked if she was ready for a confrontation with an irate manager, Pawol shrugged it off: “More than dozens of times. It doesn’t go very well for him. The night is usually over for him. It’s just part of the game.”
As the series continues, Pawol’s schedule remains packed. She was slated to work third base during the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader and will be behind the plate calling balls and strikes for Sunday’s final game. All eyes remain on her, but if her debut is any indication, she’s more than ready for the spotlight.
With her cap headed to Cooperstown and her name etched in the annals of baseball history, Jen Pawol’s journey is far from over. For now, though, she’s savoring every moment. “The dream actually came true today. I’m still living in it. I’m so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment … I’m just so thankful.” The cheers in Atlanta may fade, but the impact of her achievement will echo for generations.
