Jen Pawol became MLB's first female regular-season umpire, debuting as the first-base umpire in the Braves and Marlins split doubleheader in Atlanta. A quiet first inning gave way to a foreign-substance check on Hurston Waldrep, with Braves catcher Sean Murphy offering a friendly nod as Pawol walked off. The weekend shifts to a third-base role for Pawol in the nightcap and a plate appearance on Sunday, spotlighting a historic milestone in a game watching more barriers fall.

Her rise traces a path from Hofstra softball stardom to the Gulf Coast League in 2016, a Triple-A championship assignment in 2023, and spring training work in 2024 and 2025. Little preparation time, a seven-figure dream realized after a conference-call promotion, and a new pipeline for women officiating MLB anchor a broader narrative about inclusion in baseball. The moment matters to fans, players, and fantasy enthusiasts who track how officiating evolves with the sport.