Seattle Mariners’ Josh Naylor Welcomes History-Making Umpire

This article spotlights a historic moment in baseball history: Jen Pawol, the sport’s trailblazing umpire who became the first woman to officiate a regular-season MLB game and the first female home plate umpire. She worked behind the plate for a Seattle Mariners spring training game in Peoria.

It also captures Josh Naylor’s warm handshake with Pawol and his reflections on inclusivity. The larger trend toward more women in coaching and officiating is growing as spring training unfolds.

Jen Pawol makes history behind the plate

Jen Pawol, who last year shattered barriers as the first woman to umpire an MLB regular-season game and the first female home plate umpire, was back in the spotlight during Mariners spring training in Peoria. Her presence as an umpire in spring games this year has generated noticeable buzz and highlights the ongoing evolution of officiating in baseball.

Spring training keeps proving to be a place where new roles and faces emerge. Players, coaches, and officials see a more diverse set of people across the diamond these days.

The moment in Seattle: Naylor’s handshake and the message of respect

In the bottom of the first inning, Seattle’s Brendan Donovan opened the frame with a single. Cal Raleigh drew a walk, and Julio Rodríguez got hit by a pitch.

When Josh Naylor stepped to the plate, he paused to smile and shake Pawol’s hand. The gesture caught the attention of the broadcast booth and people on the field.

Naylor later explained that his greeting was just his routine welcome back to baseball. He likes to keep good relationships with the umpiring crew, which helps the game flow.

At first, he didn’t know Pawol’s pioneering background. As news spread, he came to respect the milestone.

Naylor called her accomplishment “super cool” and said it could change the game in a positive way. He pointed out that women have also started breaking ground in coaching, mentioning a female hitting coach he met in the Guardians’ minor-league system.

He emphasized simple kindness and inclusivity—welcoming people regardless of race, gender, origin, or language. Naylor said making others feel comfortable is easy, and, in his view, the handshake symbolized a culture more open to diverse backgrounds and voices in baseball today.

What this moment signals for baseball’s future

Pawol’s moment, along with Naylor’s remarks, shows more than a single milestone. The sport is changing—visibility for women in officials’ and coaching roles is rising, and players, broadcasters, and fans are noticing these shifts as part of baseball’s evolution.

Spring training gives these changes a real-world setting. The handshake, the conversations, and the presence of women in roles once closed to them are all part of baseball’s effort to welcome talent from all backgrounds.

A broader push for inclusion in baseball

• Trailblazing role models like Pawol help inspire the next generation of umpires and coaches. They’re expanding the pipeline for women in baseball.
• Coaching opportunities expanding beyond players to include women in leadership positions. The Guardians’ female hitting coach in the minor leagues is a great example, and it reflects a broader trend of inclusion across baseball ecosystems.
• Media and fan acknowledgment of these moments reinforces a cultural shift. There’s a real move toward respect, equality, and opportunity for athletes, officials, and staff of all backgrounds.

As spring training unfolds, Pawol’s historic presence stands out. Naylor’s inclusive outlook also shows just how much baseball is reshaping its on-field culture.

The sport now welcomes more diverse voices—on the mound, behind the plate, and in the coaching ranks. That shift promises a more welcoming, competitive, and resilient game going forward.

 
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