Jen Pawol (pronounced Powell) cemented her place in the Baseball Hall of Fame this past weekend, becoming the first ever female umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB).
She now joins Violet Palmer (first NBA female referee, 1997), Sarah Thomas (first female NFL referee, 2015) and Stephanie Frappart (first woman to officiate a FIFA World Cup match, 2022) in breaking the officiating glass ceiling in pro sports.
What Does a Baseball Umpire Actually Do?
An umpire in baseball is the official responsible for enforcing the rules, making judgment calls and ensuring fair play during a game.
In MLB, games are typically officiated by a crew of 4 umpires, each covering a different part of the field:
Home plate umpire: The most high-profile position. This umpire:
- Calls balls and strikes for every pitch
- Determines whether a batter swings or checks his swing
- Oversees plays at home plate
- Handles ejections and on-field disputes
- Manages the game clock, delays and other procedural matters
First base, second base, and third base umpires:
- Call runners safe or out on plays at their respective bases
- Judge whether a ball is fair or foul down the baselines
- Help with tag plays, catches, and potential rule violations
During the postseason (aka the playoffs), MLB expands to a six-umpire crew, adding left-field and right-field umpires for better coverage.
“… as a player you're making the game happen, as an umpire it passes through you.” (Jen Pawol)
Umpires must:
- Make split-second decisions on very close plays
- Stay focused for 3+ hours per game
- Handle pressure from players, managers, fans and TV cameras
- Keep a calm and confident demeanor, even during heated moments
Yes, formal umpire instruction is available. Click here to find out more about this popular training program.
There are only 70-80 umpire spots in the entire MLB.
An entry-level MLB umpire makes a starting salary of about $150,000 per year. With several years of experience, this amount can climb to $250-$350,000. Crew chiefs (senior umpires) who lead a 4-6 person crew can earn $400-$500,000 or more per year. Umpires who are selected to work playoff games or the World Series receive additional compensation.
The Game That Made History and the Facts Behind It
Last Saturday, at Truist Park in Georgia, during a doubleheader (including a makeup game from April 6), Jen Pawol debuted as MLB’s first female umpire, starting at first base, then moving to third in Game 2, and slated behind the plate for the finale.
Game highlights:
- A heartfelt standing ovation erupted during player introductions. Pawol described the field entry as “a fully charged battery ready to go”
- In the third inning, she ruled Braves catcher Sean Murphy safe on a tight play. No challenge followed
- Moments later, Pawol's animated call - a fist pump and leg lift on a double play - showcased her poise and enthusiasm
Postgame, she donated her debut cap to the Baseball Hall of Fame as a symbol of this groundbreaking moment.
The Long, Steady Climb: Here’s How Jen Did It
It takes years to become an MLB umpire. Most officials are in their mid-40s by the time they make it to the top of the profession, just like Ms. Pawol:
- 2010-2016: Pawol officiated NCAA softball before attending MLB’s Umpire Training Academy in 2016
“I warned 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 big field.” (Ted Barrett, MLB Umpire, now retired)
- 2017-2022: She climbed through the minor leagues, debuting in the Gulf Coast League and progressing year by year
- 2023: Became the first female to umpire a Triple-A Championship Game in 34 years, establishing her credibility at the highest minor-league level
- 2024: Became the third woman ever to umpire an MLB Spring Training game, following Pam Postema and Ria Cortesio
- Elevated to the MLB call-up list in early 2025, making her eligible for regular-season assignments, which led to her debut this past weekend
Jen Pawol didn’t just call the game, she changed it.
After more than 150 years of male-only umpiring in MLB, she broke through one of the most stubborn glass ceilings in pro sports. Her debut wasn’t just about one game. It was a signal to every girl who loves the game, every woman told she doesn’t belong and every gatekeeper clinging to the past: the field is wide open now.
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