Jen Pawol made history by becoming the first female umpire to work behind the plate in a Major League Baseball game. Her debut, which took place during the series between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins, exceeded expectations for a rookie and earned praise from experts, players and fans alike.
This milestone sets a precedent for the inclusion of women in various areas of sport and confirms that Pawol was more than capable of meeting the opportunity and proving that she has what it takes to be present at major baseball events.
Historical figures
According to UmpScorecards, Pawol had an accuracy of 92.72% in the count of balls and strikes, hitting 140 of the 151 pitches. Although her percentage is below the average for umpires in the 2025 season (94.23%), her performance was remarkable, with 95% accuracy in calling balls.
Praise from all sides
Pawol’s achievement did not go unnoticed, as she received praise from baseball figures and fans alike. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough congratulated her on her work, stating: “I think Jen did a really good job. She’s very calm behind the plate. She handled and managed the game very well. And a great day for her. A great day for Major League Baseball.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker also praised his performance, stating: “He did a good job. You can tell he knows what he’s doing”. Fan support was evident during Saturday’s doubleheader in Atlanta, where Pawol worked first and third base
“It was amazing when we went out on the field,” Pawol said. “It seemed like quite a few people were clapping and saying my name. That was pretty intense and emotional.” With more than 1,200 minor league games over 10 seasons, Pawol is an experienced umpire and despite some doubts she may have had, her historic debut is a milestone for women’s baseball and inclusion in the sport.
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