Pawol's rise to make MLB history came 28 years after the NBA gender barrier for game officials was broken and 10 years after the NFL hired its first full-time female official. The men's soccer World Cup first hired a female referee three years ago. The NHL has not had any women as on-ice officials.

Jen Pawol reflected on making history as the MLB's first female umpire to work a regular-season game. Pawol made her debut as the first base umpire between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins.

Before the first pitch was thrown Saturday and before Jen Pawol became the first female umpire to work a regular-season game in major-league history, the importance of the moment already was apparent,

He’d just been introduced by his high school coach, Cretin-Derham Hall legendary skipper Jim O’Neill, and was honored by the city with a declaration that Saturday, Aug. 9 was Joe Mauer Day in St. Paul. He was shown a plaque honoring his achievements that will be displayed at the Twins Class AAA club’s home park for years to come.