After working in the minor leagues for the past eight seasons, umpire Jen Pawol is one step closer to reaching the majors as she’s been assigned to work in the Grapefruit League during spring training beginning later this month.
Pawol, 47, will be based in Jupiter, Fla. on a one month assignment before taking over as a crew chief in Triple-A once the regular season starts.
“For any umpire, working in the pro system, this is a big, big deal,” Pawol said on a Monday afternoon zoom. “This means so much. It’s the culmination of a lot of innings. I’ve probably put in about 1,000 professional games at this point.”
Pawol is the first woman umpire to work a spring schedule since Ria Cortesio in 2007, but a woman has never umpired a regular season game. She could be the first as Pawol will be one call away once the regular season begins.
Triple-A umpires can get called up just like players, due to injuries or other circumstances. MLB is the only major sport not to employ a female official.
“As far as the other meaning that it has (breaking the female barrier), I feel like I need to keep getting the next play right and really try not to let that…
