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.

Umpire Jen Pawol’s first MLB game behind the plate went about as expected for a rookie.

Jen Pawol made MLB debut as the first female umpire to call balls and strikes on Sunday, earning praise from Marlins manager for her composed performance throughout the nine innings.