1st Woman Ump, Pawol, will be behind plate - Free Game, MLB.com

[Dave Borton]

Sunday, 12.35p.

https://www.mlb.com/news/jen-pawol-on-her-journey-to-becoming-1st-woman-to-umpire-mlb-game

[Dave Borton]

"“It was pretty amazing when we took the field, and it seemed like quite a few people started clapping and saying my name and stuff, so that was pretty intense and very emotional,” said Pawol, who still fought back those emotions an hour after the game ended, when she talked with reporters about the historic moment..."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6543691/2025/08/09/mlb-first-female-umpire-debut/

I will post her call chart once it is posted tomorrow.

 

[Dave Borton]

Radar graph off Reddit. 91%. On the low side but note good discussion on Reddit forum (click comments) about umps' 1st games (all on low side) in MLB compared to how they improve with time in MLB.

Pawol was also the 1st woman to ump at the AAA level. Just like ballplayers at the AAA going to MLB, rooks need some time in the big leagues before shining..

She has done over 1000 minor league games. Imagine the miles she has put on her car, the bus rides, and all the McDonalds consumed. All the bad coffee.

Congrats, Jen.

[Dave Borton]

UmpScorecards had her at a 92.72. I don't know enough about where the data/radar graphs are coming from but the NYPost article again suggests it is about par for a rookie ump.

 

https://nypost.com/2025/08/11/sports/jen-pawols-ump-scorecard-for-mlb-home-plate-debut-revealed/