The 48-year-old former softball player ready to change MLB forever

Major League Baseball has taken notable steps toward breaking gender barriers in recent years. In 2020, Kim Ng became the league’s first female general manager after signing with the Miami Marlins. Now, five years later, the sport will see its first-ever female umpire officiate a Major League game.

Who is Jen Pawol, MLB’s first female umpire?

Jen Pawol, who has worked in the minor leagues since 2016, will make her MLB debut this Saturday during the series between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves. She will be behind home plate in the second game of the doubleheader.

The opportunity comes as Pawol is one of 17 substitute umpires from Triple-A who are eligible to be called up when needed in the majors.

The 48-year-old was a college softball player at Hofstra and went on to officiate NCAA games from 2010 to 2016. She began her professional umpiring career in the Rookie League and reached Triple-A in 2023. Earlier this year, she also became the first woman since Ria Cortesio in 2007 to umpire a Spring Training game.

The history of female officials in U.S. sports

In comparison, the first major American sports league to feature a female referee was the NBA. That came 28 years ago, when Violet Palmer was hired as a full-time official. The league now has eight female referees, with Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling the most experienced – she’s entering her tenth season.

The NFL broke similar ground when Sarah Thomas made history on September 13, 2015, serving as line judge in a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Since 2017, the Mississippi native has worked as a down judge and was part of the officiating crew for Super Bowl LV. There was also Jessica Campbell in the NHL.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.