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.

One could say Jen Pawol earned the greatest compliment an umpire could get: Aside from her trailblazing debut, you'd have hardly noticed her.

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.