'MLB's First Female Umpire' Serves as Home Plate Umpire for First Korea-Japan Baseball Game

Korea-Japan Exhibition Game Held at Tokyo Dome on November 15

Jen Powell, age 48, the first female umpire in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), served as the home plate umpire for the exhibition game between Korea and Japan.

Jen Powell, the first female umpire in MLB history and the home plate umpire for the first Korea-Japan baseball match. Photo by Yonhap News

On November 15, Powell wore the umpire mask as the home plate umpire for the first game of the K-Baseball Series exhibition between Korea and Japan, held at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.

Powell previously served as a softball umpire for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) before working as an umpire in Minor League Baseball starting in 2016.

On August 10, she made history as the first female umpire in MLB's 150-year history by officiating as the first base umpire in the game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves. The following day, she took on the role of home plate umpire, earning praise for her calm and composed handling of the game.

This K-Baseball Series is using the pitch clock rule currently implemented in MLB, as part of preparations for next year's World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Ryu Ji-hyun, manager of the Korean national baseball team, commented, "I heard that an MLB umpire would serve as the home plate umpire for this game against Japan. It's a great opportunity to experience the strict pitch clock in action."