Will Female Umpires Appear in MLB? Invited to Spring Training for the First Time in 17 Years

Triple-A Manager Jen Powell
Invited to This Year's Spring Training

The possibility of the first female umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States has increased.

According to foreign media including the AP News on the 12th (local time), Jen Powell (47), a female umpire affiliated with Triple-A among the minor league umpires invited to officiate the 2024 MLB spring training exhibition games, was included. It is reported that this is the first time in about 17 years since umpire Leah Cortesio was assigned to an MLB spring training camp.

Triple-A manager Jen Powell [Image source=Captured from MLB.com]

Powell, a former softball player, started as a minor league umpire in 2016 and was promoted to Triple-A last year. However, it is still known to be difficult for female umpires to enter the major leagues.

Previously, in 2020, Kim Ng became the first female general manager for the Miami Marlins, and in October last year, Alyssa Nakken of the San Francisco Giants interviewed for a managerial position. However, no woman has ever been appointed as a major league umpire. This is due to the fact that in the male-only major leagues, umpires often face harsh verbal confrontations not only with opposing team managers but also with players.

Currently, there are 76 umpires under official contract with Major League Baseball. When vacancies arise due to injuries, vacations, etc., some minor league umpires invited to spring training are "called up."

Last year, 21 out of 26 umpires invited to spring training were called up during the regular season and experienced the major leagues. This is why there is great interest in Powell, the female umpire invited to spring training for the first time in 17 years, and her potential call-up to the major leagues.

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