Jen Pawol Promoted to Single-A New York-Penn League

Jen Pawol's quest to become the first female MLB umpire took another step in the right direction this offseason as Pawol received a promotion from 2016's Gulf Coast League (Rookie) to 2017's New York-Penn League (Short-A).

The New York-Penn League is one of two Minor League Baseball's short-season Class-A leagues, the other being the Northwest League. Pawol is at the beginning of a minor league career that will require further progression through Class-A, A-Advanced, Double-A, Triple-A, MLB Call-Up/Fill-In status, and, finally, promotion to the Major Leagues.

Last season, Pawol became the first female umpire to work affiliated baseball in ten years, when Ria Cortesio's career concluded at the Double-A level.

Pam Postema (1977-89) was the last to reach Triple-A.

Pawol's GCL crewmate in 2016 was Scott Molloy, who himself, along with most minor league umpires, is trying to climb the development ladder to reach the big leagues. Molloy was promoted to Short-A's New York-Penn League in August 2016, where he officiated with umpire Matt Cowan, taking the place of Reed Basner, who himself was promoted to Class-A...

As one might surmise, there are a lot of moving parts and quite a few (hundred) umpires vying for a coveted shot at the show. Pawol's is but one of many journeys to be had along the road, most of which will end with release or retirement prior to the highest level.