NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Atlanta – It is not very often (or never, in fact) that baseball fans stand and encourage the UMP. But when the stadium advertiser presented the referees’ crew before the Braves-Marins match on Saturday, the crowd was unleashed. Because taking his place in the first goal, Jen Pawol scored history as the first woman referee in the history of Major League Baseball.
“The dream has come true, as the dream really got up today,” said Pawol after the 7-1 victory of the Braves against the Marlins in the opening match of a double. “I always live in it, and I am so grateful to my family, the Major League Baseball for having created such an incredible work environment, the referees I work with – we just have an incredible camaraderie. We work hard, but we have fun. And I’m so grateful.”
CLICK HERE for more sports cover on Foxnews.com
File – The marble referee Jen Pawol takes up his position during the first round of a training baseball match in the spring between the Astros of Houston and Miami Marlins on Sunday March 10, 2024, in West Palm Beach, in Florida. (Photo / jeff dresserson, file)
From the moment Pawol took the ground, the crowd of Atlanta told him that the opportunity was important.
“It seemed that a lot of people started to applaud and say my name,” she said. “It was quite intense and very, very emotional.”
The milestone attracted fans everywhere – including some who bought tickets at the last minute when they discovered that Pawol was called. Karen Schulz, a long -standing brave fan, held a sign that said “We have all the dreamers. Come on Jen!” Schulz compared to testifying this historic moment when she watched Hank Aaron breaks the Babe Ruth career record for her “Tiny TV” in 1974.
“I just think that this represents the best of who we are as Impréricans,” Schulz told Outkick. “It is the American dream. A little girl, little boy, growing up, really has a dream, and works hard, and the community supports them, and they train hard, and they win their place. There is no way that she had to get there here, all the obstacles in her own way. But she wanted to do it.
Another fan, Rodell Poole, wore a referee jersey in the game in honor of Pawol.
“It is unknown, and it was something that should have happened a long time ago,” Poole told Outkick. “I’m glad it happened here in Atlanta, and we have to come here and support her and let her know, hey, we want her to have a great career and continue to do it.”
Some presents knew that Pawol long before his name made the headlines of the national newspapers. Ed Novy, another referee and friend of Pawol for almost 15 years, made a last minute trip from New Jersey when she received the call.
“She has always been good in this area,” Novy told Outkick. “She is devoted. She is working on her ass. She is very good, of course. She would not be here at the moment if she was not … I am more delighted and proud of her, to call her a friend and to see her here.”
Angels Slugger Yoan Moncada is missing the game to pass the American citizenship test
Referee Jen Pawol called a strike in a spring training match between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on March 16, 2024 in Jupiter, Florida. (Images Rich Storry / Getty)
The players also felt inspired by the historic moment of Pawol. The brave leaving the Hurston Waldrep launcher, who had met Pawol a few times in Triple-A Ball, called her “really cool” to see her in the big leagues.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it was for her to introduce herself, you know?” Said Waldrep. “Everyone probably told her that it was impossible. They made it a big problem, as it should be. And it’s pretty cool for her.”
The manager of Braves, Brian Snitker, measured the beginnings of Pawol according to the same level he uses for the catchers: “If you leave the stadium, and you do not remember who is the receiver, they have probably did a very good job.” And the same thing, he said, goes for UMPs.
On a serious note, Snitker added: “Whenever anyone who gets a path through the minor leagues … I don’t care who is, you drag, it is difficult work … Their journey and what they go through and everything. I am happy for anyone who pulls it and goes through a career like this and has the opportunity to be where they want to be.”
Referee MLB Jen Pawol walks on the field in a spring MLB training match between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 16, 2024 in Jupiter, Florida. (Doug Murray / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Pawol said that she felt the love of the whole community of referees, fans and women who opened the track in front of it. But now it’s back to version. Pawol will serve as a third base referee in the second double-head game on Saturday before she took her place in the marble for the final of the series on Sunday.
“We just have to go out now. We have to do this and make some calls,” said Pawol. “The dream came true today, and it was incredible.”
