Pam Postema, whose bid to become the first woman umpire in the major leagues ended when she was let go as a minor-league umpire last winter, has filed a federal sex discrimination claim against the American and National Leagues.
Postema, 36, had been an umpire in the minor leagues since 1977. She claims that as a result of being passed over for the third consecutive year for a major league assignment, she was fired as a minor-league umpire after last season.She alleges in the claim filed Thursday that the only reason she's been denied a chance in the majors is because she is a woman.
Rich Levin, a spokesman for major league baseball, said Thursday night that officials of the two leagues had not seen the suit.
The claim of sex discrimination in employment, filed with the U.S. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission, also listed the Triple A Alliance of Professional Baseball Clubs and the Baseball Office for Umpire Development.
Postema, who has umpired major league exhibition games, said in a statement, "I am devastated that I was not selected to umpire in the major leagues and I firmly believe that the only real reason that I was not chosen is because I am a woman.
"I am filing this charge because I believe it is time for the major leagues to permit women to be umpires."