Female MLB Umpire Jen Pawol's First Call Of Game Is Going Viral

Female MLB Umpire Jen Pawol's First Call Of Game Is Going Viral originally appeared on The Spun.

Jen Pawol made history this weekend.

The female MLB umpire became the first woman to work home plate during a regular season game. She was on the call of the Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins game.

Miami manager Clayton McCullough praised her performance following Atlanta's 7-1 win on Sunday afternoon.

"I think Jen did a really nice job," he said.

"I think she's very composed back there. She handled and managed the game very well. And big day for her. Big day for Major League Baseball. I congratulated her again on that because it's quite the accomplishment."

But while she was praised by those in the game, her first call of the game went viral on social media.

Pawol's first call of the game came on a fastball by Braves starting pitcher Joey Wentz to Marlins leadoff hitter Xavier Edwards.

The 93 MPH fastball was a couple of inches inside, though Pawol called it for a strike.

The first pitch with Jen Pawol as the umpire behind the plate:
pic.twitter.com/fvAnBUFv25

— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) August 10, 2025

Of course, every umpire in Major League Baseball has gotten a call or two wrong over the course of a game. Pawol is no different.

"Jen Pawol is no different than any other umpire—missing the call to open the game. There was always going to be a ton of pressure on the first pitch, I cannot remember the last time a game’s focus was on the umpire. She has been good since, and hasn’t missed another one," Ryan Spaeder noted.

She had a couple of other misses, but for the most part, a solid game behind the plate.

Ball 1 on Sanoja in top 4
Ball 2 on Olson in bot 4
Ball 1 on Ozuna in bot 4
Strike 1 on Albies in bot 4
Strike 1 on Stowers in top 5
Strike 3 on Stowers in top 5

So, six more. She cleaned it up through the first three after the missed call to open, but she has been awful since,… https://t.co/2V4JFcLrYi

— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) August 10, 2025

Wentz, meanwhile, said he thinks she did a good job, too.

"Congrats to Jen, obviously," he said after pitching 5.1 innings in the win over the Marlins.

When the Braves starter was asked about Pawol's calls, Wentz said, "I try not to focus on the zone, to be honest with you. … I thought it was good though."

Pawol said it was a dream come true.

"The dream actually came true today. I'm still living in it. I'm so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment. ... I'm just so thankful," she said on Saturday.

Female MLB Umpire Jen Pawol's First Call Of Game Is Going Viral first appeared on The Spun on Aug 11, 2025

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.