Play Ball!
Jen Pawel became the first woman to umpire a major league baseball game this past week in a game between the Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves.
On Sunday, Pawel became the first female umpire to call the balls and strikes behind the plate breaking another gender barrier. There are 76 full time umpires in the major leagues but Pawol is the first women to work a professional major league baseball game in the history of Major League Baseball.
Currently there is not a single female umpire in the major leagues. There are eight women umpires in the minor leagues. The opportunity for Pawel to called up from minors was due to the Marlins-Braves doubleheader on Saturday. It is a customary for a fifth umpire to be added for a series with a doubleheader, as the home plate umpire skips one of the two games.
Powel told CBS Sports: “The dream actually came true today. I’m still living in it. I’m so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment … I’m just so thankful.“
Following the game, Powel donated the MLB cap she wore in her debut to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
In a world turning backwards, this is wonderful and much needed. Progress.