ATLANTA — Jen Pawol has made history as the first female umpire to officiate a regular-season game in Major League Baseball. Her debut took place on Saturday as the first base umpire during the first game of a split doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins at Truist Park.

Pawol's first inning was uneventful, as Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrep struck out the first two batters, and Agustin Ramirez lined out to third base. The Braves were also retired in order by Miami's Ryan Gusto in the bottom of the first, requiring no calls from Pawol. Her primary responsibility during the inning was to check Waldrep's hands for foreign substances.

Pawol received a warm greeting from Braves catcher Sean Murphy as he headed to the dugout. Her first significant call came in the third inning when she ruled Murphy safe on a close play at home. Although replays suggested he may have been out, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough chose not to challenge the decision. Pawol demonstrated her enthusiasm by pumping her fist and lifting her leg when calling Miami's Xavier Edwards out during a double play.

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation for Pawol's historic debut. A crowd of photographers gathered to capture the moment as umpires walked onto the field. Both McCullough and Braves bench coach Walt Weiss greeted her at home plate before the game. Pawol jogged down the first base line, shaking hands with Marlins first base coach Tyler Smarslok before taking her position.

Pawol expressed her emotions leading up to her debut, stating, "It was super emotional to finally be living that phone call that I’d been hoping for and working towards for quite a while, and I just felt super full — I feel like a fully charged battery ready to go."

At 48 years old, Pawol has been officiating in the minor leagues since 2016, starting in the Gulf Coast League. She has worked over 1,200 minor league games, including the Triple-A championship game in 2023 and spring training games in 2024 and 2025. She was informed of her promotion just days before her debut during a conference call with MLB officials.

Pawol, a New Jersey native, was a three-time all-conference softball selection at Hofstra University and served as an NCAA softball umpire from 2010 to 2016. Her achievement comes 28 years after the NBA broke its gender barrier for game officials and 10 years after the NFL hired its first full-time female official. The men’s soccer World Cup appointed its first female referee three years ago, while the NHL has yet to have women as on-ice officials.