Jen Pawol is one step closer to becoming Major League Baseball’s first full-time female umpire. Pawol has been named a Triple-A crew chief for the upcoming season and is on MLB’s call-up list, reports Newsday. Triple-A umpires are called up throughout the season when MLB umpires are injured or on vacation.
On Feb. 24, Pawol worked first, second, and third bases as part of the usual spring training umpire rotation for the Grapefruit League opener between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. In doing so, she became the first woman to umpire a spring training game since Ria Cortesio in 2007.
“I greatly appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm, everyone’s welcoming attitude on the field,” Pawol told the Associated Press after the game. “Tonight was very, very special. Both managers shared congratulations, welcoming, enthusiastic. The players on the field, so many said congrats and great to see you up here. A gentleman, Javier [Bracamonte, Astros bullpen coach], he ran out early in the game and said he has a daughter playing all…
