Jen Pawol is on the brink of making history. She’s eyeing the spot as Major League Baseball’s first female umpire. At 47, she’s not just dreaming; she’s doing. Major League Baseball dropped a bombshell, announcing she’ll be a full-time umpire during spring training in 2024.
Now, this isn’t just a solo flight. Alongside Pawol, 24 minor league umpires are stepping up to the big leagues for spring training. It’s a significant shift, considering the NBA and NFL have welcomed female officials with open arms for years.
Since 2016, Pawol has been in the trenches of the minor leagues. Her journey wasn’t just about calling balls and strikes; it was about breaking barriers. Fast forward to 2023, she’s calling the shots at the Triple-A Championship game as the home plate umpire.
Here’s the deal: MLB isn’t short on umpires, boasting 76 full-timers. But life happens, right? Injuries, unforeseen circumstances, and suddenly, there’s room at the top. Last season, 26 umpires got their shot during spring training. And guess what? All 21 who were called up landed at least one regular-season game. One lucky soul even clocked in 149 games.
Pawol’s not alone in her quest. Since 2022, she’s one of nine women who’ve donned the umpire’s uniform in the minor leagues. Trailblazers like Bernice Gera and Pam Postema paved the way. And let’s not forget Ria Cortesio, the last woman to umpire an MLB spring training game back in 2007. Fast forward to 2024, and we’re expecting nine women to take the field in the minors.
Before the big leagues came calling, Pawol was all about NCAA softball, from 2010 to 2016. Then, a fateful MLB tryout in August 2015 changed everything. The Umpire Training Academy saw her potential, and by 2016, she was making calls in the Gulf Coast League. Her resume now spans the New York/Penn League, Midwest League, South Atlantic League, and more, leading up to her 2023 gigs in the Triple-A leagues.
In a nutshell, Jen Pawol’s journey is more than just a series of games and calls. It’s a testament to perseverance, breaking barriers, and chasing dreams, no matter the odds. And as 2024 approaches, we’re all watching, waiting, and cheering on the sidelines.
