History is set to unfold in the world of Major League Baseball this Saturday, as Jen Pawol steps onto the field as the first woman ever to umpire a regular-season MLB game. The Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves will face off in a doubleheader at Truist Park, but the spotlight is shining brightest on Pawol, who, after years of dedication and perseverance, will break a barrier that has stood since the league’s inception.
Pawol’s journey to this historic moment is nothing short of remarkable. Born in 1976 and raised in Passaic County, New Jersey, Pawol’s love for sports was evident from a young age. At West Milford High School, she excelled as a two-time All-State player in both softball and soccer, earning her a place as one of the school’s most decorated athletes. Her athletic prowess didn’t stop there—she went on to play softball at Hofstra University on a scholarship, becoming a three-time all-conference selection. In 2022, her alma mater recognized her achievements with an induction into the West Milford High School Athletic Hall of Fame, a testament to her lasting impact on the school’s sports legacy.
But it was on the diamond, not just as a player but as an official, where Pawol would truly make her mark. Her umpiring career began back in 1990, when she started calling games at her high school. By 2010, she was umpiring college softball, demonstrating an innate ability to read the game and manage the pressure that comes with making split-second decisions. Her dedication to the craft caught the attention of Ted Barrett, a respected MLB umpire, during a camp in Binghamton. Barrett, recognizing her potential, invited her to an MLB tryout camp in Cincinnati in 2015. He didn’t sugarcoat the road ahead, warning her, “Look, this is what you’re up against. It’s going to be 10 years in the minor leagues before you sniff a big league field.”
That warning did not deter Pawol—if anything, it fueled her resolve. She was soon among the 38 umpires invited to the Umpire Training Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, in 2016. That same year, she broke into professional baseball, starting in the Gulf Coast League. Over the next nine years, Pawol would work her way up, officiating more than 1,200 minor league games and, in a historic milestone, becoming the first female umpire at the Triple-A level in 34 years. Her journey included stints as an umpire in MLB spring training games in both 2024 and 2025, further honing her skills and preparing her for the big leagues.
“It was super emotional to finally be living that phone call that I’d been hoping for and working towards for quite a while,” Pawol told the Associated Press after learning she would get the call-up. “I just felt super full. I feel like a fully charged battery ready to go.” The gravity of the moment is not lost on her. “This has been over 1,200 minor league games, countless hours of video review trying to get better, and underneath it all has just been this passion and this love for the game of baseball,” she added. “This started in my playing days as a catcher and transformed over into an umpire, and I think it’s gotten even stronger as an umpire. Umpiring is for me, it’s in my DNA. It’s been a long, hard journey.”
The significance of Pawol’s debut extends beyond baseball. While the NFL and NBA have had female officials for years, and even the men’s World Cup soccer tournament has seen women on the officiating crew, Major League Baseball had yet to break that barrier—until now. Pawol’s appearance is not only a personal triumph but a historic moment for gender equality in sports, inspiring a new generation of women who dream of making their mark on the game.
For fans eager to witness this groundbreaking event, the schedule is set. Pawol will be working the bases for both games of the doubleheader on Saturday, August 9, with the first pitch of Game 1 scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Eastern. The second game will follow at 7:15 p.m. Eastern. On Sunday, August 10, Pawol will take on the pivotal role of home plate umpire, calling balls and strikes in the series finale between the Marlins and Braves at 1:35 p.m. Eastern. The first game of the doubleheader will air on MLB Network for out-of-market viewers and is also available on MLB.TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV. The second game of the doubleheader and the Sunday finale will be broadcast on MLB.TV outside local markets, with local coverage available as well.
Pawol’s rise through the ranks wasn’t without its challenges. The journey from umpiring high school games in New Jersey to the bright lights of Truist Park required grit, resilience, and an unwavering belief in her abilities. According to ESPN, Barrett said Pawol’s willingness to learn and her ability to absorb information like a “sponge” made her stand out among her peers. That drive, coupled with her background as a player, set her apart as a trailblazer in a field that had not previously seen a woman reach the pinnacle of the profession.
Her story is also one of mentorship and opportunity. The chance encounter with Barrett at a camp, the subsequent invitation to the MLB tryout camp, and her steady climb through the minor leagues all underscore the importance of support and advocacy within the sport. Pawol’s career serves as a reminder that breaking new ground often requires both individual excellence and the willingness of others to open doors.
As the Marlins and Braves prepare to square off, the baseball world will be watching not just for the outcome of the games, but for the history being made with every call Pawol makes. For the players on the field, it’s another day at the ballpark; for Pawol, it’s the culmination of decades of hard work, determination, and a love for the game that has never wavered.
Saturday’s doubleheader and Sunday’s series finale are more than just regular-season matchups—they are a celebration of progress, perseverance, and the breaking of one of Major League Baseball’s final gender barriers. With Jen Pawol poised to make her mark, the sport takes a giant leap forward, and the echoes of her achievement will be felt far beyond the outfield walls.
