Umpire Jen Pawol (left) is making a foul ruling at the exhibition game between the 2024 MLB Houston Astros and Washington Nationals held at the Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, on the 25th (Korean time). / AP=Yonhap NewsFor the first time in 17 years, a female umpire took to the field at a Major League Baseball (MLB) exhibition game.
The AP News reported on the 25th (Korean time) that Jen Pawol (47), who has been working as a professional baseball umpire for eight years, has made the leap from a “Minor League Umpire” to an “Umpire Who Made a Ruling at an MLB Exhibition Game.”
Umpire Pawol took to the field as a third base umpire from the 1st to 3rd innings, a second base umpire from the 4th to 6th innings, and a first base umpire from the 6th to 9th innings at the exhibition game between the 2024 MLB Houston Astros and Washington Nationals held at the Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
The AP News noted that this is the first time in 17 years, since Ria Cortesio in 2007, that a female umpire has officiated an MLB exhibition game.
At the same time, Pawol is recorded as the third female umpire to officiate an MLB exhibition game, following Pam Postema in 1988 and Ria Cortesio in 2007.
Pawol expressed joy after the game, saying, “Today is very special. The coaches and players of both teams, and everyone I met at the stadium today, congratulated me.”
Pawol, who played softball in high school, became the seventh female umpire hired by the American Minor League Baseball in 2016. Last year, she served in the Minor League Triple-A.
Umpire Jen Pawol (second from left) is conversing with her fellow umpires ahead of the exhibition game between the 2024 MLB Houston Astros and Washington Nationals held at the Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, on the 25th (Korean time). / AP=Yonhap NewsNo female umpire has yet appeared in a regular season game at MLB.
The AP News pointed out MLB’s conservative stance, saying, “In the National Basketball Association (NBA), a female referee appeared 27 years ago in 1997, and in the National Football League (NFL), a female referee appeared in 2015. Even the men’s soccer had a female referee officiating a game at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.”
Pawol is the strongest candidate to break MLB’s firm glass ceiling against female umpires.
She is scheduled to be on the field regularly during this spring training camp, including serving as the home plate umpire in the exhibition game between Washington and the Miami Marlins on the 26th (Korean time).
Currently, 76 umpires have signed official contracts with the MLB office.
When vacancies arise due to injuries or vacations, the MLB calls up some minor league umpires invited to the spring training camp.
Last year, 21 of the 26 umpires invited to the spring training camp received a call to officiate in the MLB regular season games.
Although Pawol is affiliated with the minor leagues, her invitation to this MLB exhibition game has put her name on the list of potential backup umpires for the big leagues.
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