Jen Pawol Umpires Spring Training Game, an MLB First by a Woman Since 2007

A woman has never umpired a regular-season game before.

Jen Pawol became the first woman to umpire an MLB spring training game since 2007 when she worked the game between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday—bringing her one step closer to becoming the first woman to ever work a regular-season major league game.

“I greatly appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm. Everyone’s welcoming attitude on the field tonight was very, very special,” Pawol said. “Both managers shared congratulations and were welcoming, along with my [umpiring] partners, the players. I knew a lot of the players on the field already, and so many said ‘Congrats, great to see you up here.’”

Pawol, 47, started the game at third base and then rotated positions every three innings in the Astros’ 7–4 win, per MLB.com.

Jen Pawol is an umpire in tonight’s Astros-Nationals game. She began the game as the third base ump.

She’s the first woman to work an MLB #SpringTraining game in 17 years. pic.twitter.com/qgmt4aQU8L

— MLB (@MLB) February 24, 2024

“I felt ready, felt prepared,” Pawol said. “My crew chief, Lance, was just amazing to work with and helped me feel comfortable. Really an amazing feeling. I prepare every day to keep climbing the ladder in this system.”