Historic Day for Female Umpire in MLB

In a groundbreaking event, Saturday’s doubleheader featuring the Marlins and Braves will mark the first time a female umpire officiates a Major League Baseball game.

Jen Paul expressed that she was “overcome by emotions” upon realizing her role in breaking gender barriers.

“It was incredibly emotional to reach this phone call that I’ve wanted for so long,” Paul shared. “I feel so fulfilled—like a fully charged battery ready to go.”

Paul’s journey into umpiring began back in 1990 when she officiated at West Milford High School in New Jersey. Initially, she struggled with softball officiating, though she was an accomplished player herself, having played for Hofstra and participated in three full seasons.

Since 2010, she has served as an umpire for university softball games. It was during this time that she met MLB umpire Ted Barrett at a Binghamton camp, which opened doors for her. Barrett invited her to Cincinnati’s MLB Tryout Camp in 2015 and even took her to dinner with other MLB officials.

“I gave her a heads-up,” Barrett recounted. “I told her, ‘Look, it’s going to be a long road. You’re looking at 10 years in the minors before you sniff the big leagues.’”

Despite the warning, Paul was undeterred, becoming one of 38 umpires invited to the Umpire Training Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, in 2016.

Her first league assignment was the Gulf League in 2016, but she steadily progressed through the ranks over the years. By 2024 and 2025, she was officiating spring training games.

Now, with the first pitch set for 1:15 PM on Saturday, she will officially reach the MLB level.

“This journey includes over 1,200 minor league games and countless video reviews,” Paul mentioned. “It’s all fueled by my passion and love for baseball. It all started when I was a catcher, and that transitioned into my role as an umpire. It’s part of my DNA.”