Major League Baseball is set to make history this weekend as Jen Pawol becomes the first female umpire to officiate a regular-season game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. Pawol, 48, will work the bases in Saturday’s doubleheader at Truist Park and the plate on Sunday.
Pawol, a graduate of Hofstra University, has been working towards this moment for over two decades. She began her journey as an umpire in 2016, attending MLB’s Umpire Camps and eventually becoming a Minor League umpire. Pawol previously made history by becoming the first woman to umpire big league spring training games since Ria Cortesio in 2007.
The milestone marks significant progress for women in baseball, following similar milestones achieved in other professional sports leagues. Jen Pawol’s determination and hard work have earned her this historic opportunity, as stated by Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.
Pawol will be the first female umpire to join MLB’s 76 full-time staff umpires. Her debut comes after a long journey that includes working NCAA softball from 2010-16 and attending various umpire training camps. The historic moment is a testament to Pawol’s perseverance and dedication to her craft, inspiring young girls and women to pursue careers in baseball.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jen-pawol-marlins-braves-mlb-first-female-umpire