Major League Baseball is set to make history this weekend as Jen Pawol becomes the first woman to umpire a regular-season MLB game. Scheduled to officiate during the upcoming series between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, Pawol will serve on the bases for both games of Saturday’s doubleheader and then take position behind the plate for the series finale on Sunday.

At 48 years old, Pawol has been a minor league umpire since 2016 and has officiated Spring Training games in 2024 and 2025. She is currently among 17 Triple-A call-up umpires eligible to substitute in MLB games. Her promotion to the major leagues is a significant milestone in MLB's ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the sport.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred commended Pawol's achievement, stating that it reflects her dedication and passion for baseball. He emphasized that her promotion serves as an inspiring example for women and girls aspiring to work in the sport.

Pawol's advancement follows a broader trend of women breaking barriers in major sports leagues. In the NFL, Shannon Eastin became the first female official during a 2012 preseason game, while Sarah Thomas became the first woman with a full-time NFL officiating position in 2015 and officiated the Super Bowl in 2021. In the NBA, Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner broke ground as referees in 1997, with Palmer retiring in 2016 and Kantner continuing in women’s NCAA basketball. The NHL has yet to feature a woman in a regular season or playoff game as an on-ice official, though four women participated in 2019 prospect tournaments. In international soccer, France's Stéphanie Frappart officiated a World Cup men’s match in 2022.

Players and managers across the league have expressed support and appreciation for Pawol's promotion, recognizing it as a positive and inclusive step forward for baseball. Her presence on the field is expected to inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in baseball, both on and off the field.