The Leading Edge: Umpire Stories

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment returns with Canadian Olympic Umpire - Brian Hodgson.   Topics include stories from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, getting free umpire equipment, appeals to end Olympic games, awkward sized baseball stadiums, working professional baseball, his various accolades, 10 questions, his local legends and words of wisdom.   So, sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Appeal (1:42 in) https://olympics.com/en/video/kor-vs-chn-preliminary-match-baseball-beijing-2008-replays Winnipeg Football/Baseball "Deformity" Stadium 1994-1998: http://www.nlfan.com/winnipeg/deformity/      

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with long time Manitoban umpire – Brian Hodgson.   Topics include stories from his 17 Baseball Canada National Championships – including working the 1997 Canada Games, the Senior Nationals in Weyburn, SK, flying first class and becoming a “big shooter” in Panama, working with current MLB umpires – Adrian Johnson, Scott Barry & Mike Estabrook at an Olympic Qualifier before they were MLB umpires, playing Texas Hold ‘Em poker with Alfonso Márquez  & Ted Barrett, Ernie Whitt's ejection at the 1999 Pan American games in Winnipeg, Manitoba and  much much more.   So, sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Stubby Clapp/1999 Pan-American Games - https://youtu.be/gRUHzkTkCUs 1997 Canada Games Umpire Crew - Brandon, Manitoba - https://tinyurl.com/CGBM1997    

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment sits down with New Brunswick Baseball Umpire Association (NBBUA) President/Provincial Supervisor - Mike Doucette.   Topics include stories from Paul's Motor Inn, Bucky's back yard & BBQ, organizing and chairing a Baseball Canada Cup hosting committee, overseeing the NBBUA, President of Moncton Minor Baseball, being a small business owner of AtlanticOfficials.Ca selling officials equipment and much much more.   So, sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Regina Scheduling Conflict: https://leaderpost.com/sports/baseball/currie-field-conflict-rankles-regina-red-sox Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi9HYb1E4b8   "The Run" – 2019 Baseball Canada Senior National Championship Recap:   https://share.transistor.fm/s/bc031c1b   New Brunswick “Free The Beer” Fight:   https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/supreme-court-free-the-beer-nb-gerard-comeau-1.4626217

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment sits down with Baseball Alberta Umpire Tyler Bourne. Topics covered include getting into umpiring at the same time as his father, attending the Wendelstedt Umpire School, working 4 Baseball Canada national events, “Touche pas ça”, being a Baseball Canada clinician, attending a Baseball Canada Caravan, his prediction of the 2022 World Series Champions, and his braised beef rib recipe. So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Touche pas ça : https://tinyurl.com/touchepasca   Beef Short Ribs: https://tinyurl.com/bdf74z23

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment sits down with BCBUA member and newest (up till this point) MiLB umpire - Craig Burt. Topics covered include getting into umpiring, attending the Wendelstedt Umpire School, working multiple Baseball Canada National events, being the recipient of the BCBUA Ron Boutang Memorial Scholarship, working his first MiLB games and much much more. So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Episode Reference: Pat Hoberg Video Link

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment brings to you the second half of the interview with current Baseball Canada, WBSC and former MiLB umpire Keith McConkey. Topics covered include coming back from Winter Ball and finishing up his MiLB career, the 2005 MLB Futures Game, 2005 Home Run Derby, getting back into the Baseball Canada Umpire program, WBSC events in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada (18U - 2017) and Pan Am Games - Lima, Peru (2019), 10 Questions, Local Legends and Words of Wisdom. So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Clips: Getting booed at the 2005 Home Run Derby: https://youtu.be/N0MOi2uSWcY?t=3989   2017 WBSC 18U Korea vs. Japan - Introduction of Keith on the Plate & former guest in season 1 at 2nd base Aaron Roberts: https://youtu.be/wpstkIeiw-c?t=331

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment shares with you the first half of the interview with current Baseball Canada, WBSC and former MiLB umpire Keith McConkey. Topics covered are his playing career as a catcher, getting into umpiring for cold hard cash, making his way to umpire school, landing a job in MiLB and the fun he had working Cocoa Expo spring training, staying in swanky motels in A & AA baseball, working with a lot of former minor league umpires like Art Stewart & Scott Kennedy, and current MLB umpires (Mike Estabrooks, DJ Reyburn, Chris Conroy, Marty Foster), venturing down to Venezuela for winter ball where he got to work on ant hills and game management with Manny Gonzalez, what makes a good umpire partner and MUCH MUCH more. So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment chats with Nova Scotia native and current MiLB umpire – Alex Lawrie.   Topics covered are getting into umpiring, working 2 Baseball Canada national championships, his three trips to umpire school, working the former Can-Am Independent Professional Baseball League, getting the nod for his current job with MiLB, his first kiss, turning unassisted triple plays, Nova Scotia history lessons and much much more!   So sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming     Extra show content:   Mitch Ball Family - Go Fund Me: https://tinyurl.com/MBGOFUND   Rawlins Cross – Reel ‘n' Roll https://youtu.be/qHgPDavGyKE   Alan Doyle – All Together Now: https://tinyurl.com/ALDATN   Mike Doucette with: https://atlanticofficials.ca/

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment chats with long-time Saskatchewan umpire and man of mystery – Elemer Jerkovits. Topics covered are how he broke his arm and got into umpiring, working baseball in and around Regina, SK, favourite Larry Schrader moments, working various Baseball Canada National Championships, representing Canada at 3 International Baseball Events, his longevity in the SMBL, WMBL & now WCBL, receiving the inaugural WCBL umpire of the year award, the keys to the Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup this year, and much much more.   So sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming   Burt Reynolds in a Big Hat – SNL Celebrity Jeopardy: https://youtu.be/bEghu90QJH4   UmpsCare Silent Auction email: SBoutang@shaw.ca   The Twisted Grain Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetwistedgrain

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment chats with Nova Scotia import Andrew Downs   Topics covered are him winning the Beaver B provincial championship in 1989, representing Newfoundland as a 15U coach at the Baseball Canada Nationals in 1998, working the all Newfoundland Senior Men's Provincial Championship, the countless Baseball Canada National Championships as an umpire & supervisor and has the organization of the events have changed over the years plus some practical jokes, working 2 International Events, the comradery of umpiring, receiving the Dick Willis Award in 2013, talking Cape Breton culture and much much more.   So sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming     Super Clinic Fundraiser: https://tinyurl.com/SuperClinicUmpsCare   Lorena Walsh – Dartmouth Volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/LorenaWalshVolunteer   Rita McNeil & Men of the Deeps: https://tinyurl.com/RitaMcNeilMenOfTheDeeps   Rankin Family – Mull River Shuffle (Warning – Put Your Dancing Shoes on): https://tinyurl.com/MullRiverShuffle

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment sits down with 40-year umpire veteran – Trevor Stoyko. Topics covered are his experiences working both baseball and softball in Canada.  Working Baseball in South East Saskatchewan and Independent Professional Baseball around the country, his works in professional wrestling, living on the road in the Western Canadian Baseball League, the time he got to umpire Alice Cooper and Much Much more!   So, sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming   Joe Carter Home Run - Dave Phillips removes his hat to watch Joe Touch first: https://youtu.be/-F5HwiGm7lg?t=60   Consider Organ Donation Registration today: https://www.blood.ca/en/organs-tissues   Layne Meko book reference (Acceptance is Not Surrender: A Little Girl, an Old Man and One Man's Story of Hope - William S. Sutherland): https://tinyurl.com/LMLEPOD1

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment sits down with long-time Prince Edward Island and Baseball Canada umpire – Kent Walker.   Topics covered are his experiences working baseball in beautiful PEI – including a unique scenario in his first game, attending various Baseball Canada National Championships, the 2002 World Junior Baseball Championships in Sherbrooke Quebec, the Prince Edward Island Baseball Umpire Association, his current off-field umpire endeavour of putting together a book about umpire mentoring – and much much more.   So sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming   Kent's book website - https://www.umpirementors.com/ Umpire Travel Research - http://moya.bus.miami.edu/~tallys/docs/umpires-inte.pdf Baseball Canada 2021 Virtual Super Clinic - http://www.superclinic.ca

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment continues with BCBUA Provincial Supervisor and a guy who dreams of one day owning an Alpaca - Steve Boutang.   Topics covered are his experiences at Tournament 12 (T12), working 3 international championships, celebrating his 40th birthday, an atypical pre-game routine at the World University Games, heavy rain and sharing personal equipment in Taiwan, the BCBUA umpire scholarship named after his father – Ron, what umpires can expect from this year's Baseball Canada Super Clinic and of course everyone's favourite -  10 questions.   So sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming   Steve Working 1st base at 2013 WBSC 18U World Championships. https://youtu.be/dbfi3_bWvBE?t=250

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with a long-time British Columbia Baseball Umpire Association (BCBUA) member and current Provincial Supervisor and a guy that once had a side gig as a Wedding Singer - Steve Boutang.   Topics covered are his playing career, getting into umpiring, his time in the Golden League, working games with former Major League Umpires - Ian Lamplugh, Ron Barnes and 1992 Olympian Ossie Chavarria, working the plate at a National Championship in his home province and his trick to getting free streak.   So sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming   How baseballs are made:  https://youtu.be/usnZ_rdRo_M Csaba drumming: https://youtu.be/b1oCrE5Sb_g 

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with a long-time Baseball Ontario, Canada & WBSC umpire, a veteran of 2 World Baseball Classic Championships, the 2015 WBSC Premier 12 Premier 12, a Dick Willis award recipient, and is Olympic Bound in 2021 – Trevor Grieve.   Topics covered are his playing career, getting into umpiring, his experiences at umpire school as a student & instructor, working the championship series of the 2013 & 2017 World Baseball Classic, going to replay, shoe shopping with Greg Gibson, Chris Guccione's swagger, enjoying the nightlife on the rooftops of Tokyo, his gold medal swimming background, and much much more.   So sit back, relax, get ready – it's coming!   Replay Review – World Baseball Classic - https://youtu.be/XTHxFhMl9u8?t=187 His own Baseball Reference page - https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Trevor_Grieve

On this holiday special Leading Edge Entertainment talks with an umpire who has worked his way from grassroots baseball, up through the Baseball Canada Umpire Development program, took a shot and is currently living his dream of working Major League Baseball – Stu Scheurwater.   Topics covered are his junior football days, receiving the 2001 Baseball Saskatchewan Lou Slotsve Junior umpire of the year award, a bench clearing episode at a Baseball Canada national championship, working his way through Minor League Baseball and his current work at the MLB level.   Stu also reveals Vic Carapazza's secret to a good head of hair, Phil Cuzzi's Italian food connections, Tom Hallion's inquisitive mind with Evander Holyfield, and how Angel Hernandez, Larry Vanover & Paul Nauert made him feel right at home in his MLB debut.  Plus, much much more.   So, sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming Links as promised: 1st MLB play - https://tinyurl.com/STU1stPlay Baltimore Ejection - https://tinyurl.com/STUEJ UmpsCare Foundation - https://www.umpscare.com/

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Baseball Newfoundland Executive Director, an umpire who has umpired at 7 Baseball Canada national championships a man with a passion for the WWE, and a guy who's not ashamed to wear his socks with Crocs to Walmart  – Ryan Garland.   Topics covered are his absentee playing career, the work Baseball Newfoundland is doing to grow their female baseball program, his experiences and lessons learned from various national championships, hive love for the WWE & Stone Cold Steve Austin and we even hear about his first ever slow dance.   We then bring back a previous guest with Jeremy Nash and talk about how even though we live in different parts of the country, umpiring has brought us together as friends off the field.     So, sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with an umpire who played senior baseball for well over 20 years before getting into umpiring full time, was once kicked out his local umpire association for winning a protest and a man who grew up on cod liver oil – David “Bucky” Buckingham. Topics covered are his playing career, multiple trips to the Canada Games, umpiring at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg in 1999 where Canada won a Bronze medal, how the Baseball Canada Umpire program has grown over the years, the Baseball Newfoundland Umpire program, being awarded both the Dick Willis & The Baseball Canada Umpire Lifetime Achievement Award and much much more.   So, sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming   Article about Bucky receiving his Baseball Canada Lifetime Achievement Award - https://tinyurl.com/BDRBCLAA Pan Am – Stubby Clapp Single - https://tinyurl.com/PANAM1999      

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with an umpire who got into umpiring because his brother's team needed an umpire, worked his first Senior game with now current MLB umpire Stu Scheurwater and a guy who has the most photographic memory we know – Bob Sonder. Topics covered are him getting into umpiring, working the Saskatchewan Summer Games, Western Canadian Baseball League, Senior Baseball, 7 - Baseball Canada & 2 Senior Little League National Championships, routine catches, Elemer's birthday, his almost-famous media interview and much more. So, sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Baseball Manitoba VP of Umpires, an umpire who got into umpiring because an umpire challenged him to do better and a guy who's favourite WWE wrestler was/is Dude Love - Ashton Liskie. Topics covered are him getting into umpiring, working various baseball leagues in Manitoba, his role with the Baseball Manitoba umpire executive, the vision/goals of the program, an aviation bird strike and emergency landing on his way to a national championship, his 13 inning 4:15 game that included a bench clearing incident at the 2019 Baseball Canada Men's Senior National Championship (thanks Blaine Gallant) and much much more. So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming! Video Link: Umpire Getting Run over by the catcher ---> https://youtu.be/1Vu_c2Qzdsw

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Baseball Quebec Laval Umpire Rep, an umpire who has worked Baseball Canada national championships from Pee Wee to Tournament 12, and a guy who is not scared to splurge on a good ice cream postgame - Philippe Lamoureux. Topics covered are getting into umpiring, working the Quebec games live on RDS, how he likes to wear base pants on the plate, his role as the Baseball Canada Umpire Social Media rep, comradery of umpiring and much much more!  So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Baseball Canada Umpire Twitter -> @Bcan_Umpires (https://twitter.com/BCAN_UMPIRES) Baseball Canada Umpire Facebook -> (https://www.facebook.com/BCANUmpiresArbitres) Baseball Canada Umpire Instagram -> (https://www.instagram.com/bcanumpires/) Baseball Canada Umpire Platform -> (http://umpire.baseball.ca) & https://www.baseball.ca/umpires  

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with 1991 Baseball Canada & International Champion World Youth Champion, a proud British Columbia Baseball Umpire Association & Baseball Canada Umpire and a guy who likes to tuck his T-Shirt in - Blaise Laveay. Topics covered are playing for BC at the Canada Cup & Canada Games, his road to the 1991 Baseball Canada World Youth Team, hitting a home run against Team USA to help win the Semi-Final, Daniel Brabant giving it all to help the 1991 team be Canada's only male International Championship team, the National Baseball Institute (NBI), playing with Baseball Canada icons like Jason Dickson, Stubby Clapp, Corey Koskie and many more and how he has transitioned from playing at a competitive level to umpiring at a competitive level. So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming!   Carl Lake on CBC - The National - tinyurl.com/UMPCL   Paddy Quinn & Miramichi Podcast with a John Cann story on "The Run" - tinyurl.com/TRMIR  

Thanks for coming back to part 2 of Top of the 7th Episode where Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Ron Shewchuk. Topics covered during this half of the interview include his international experience, working behind AJ Hinch without a garbage can, lending a future number 1 pick and millionaire  50 cents in the airport, working the 2008 Olympics, the Baseball Canada umpire program, being named the Baseball Canada 2001 Dick Willis umpire of the year, being inducted into the Baseball Manitoba hall of fame, wise words from Ronnie and MUCH MUCH MUCH more!   So sit back, relax, get ready - It's coming!   Ron quickly (Stephen Strasburg clips):  https://tinyurl.com/RSTGSS   Ron working plate at the 2008 Olympics: https://tinyurl.com/RSPLMM

On part 1 of the Bottom Of The 7th Episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with an umpire who has worked over 900 games in professional baseball, over 30 Baseball Canada National Championships, 9 international championships with the pinnacle being the 2008 Olympics in Beijing China and a guy owns all of Celine Dion's albums on Cassette - Ron Shewchuk. Topics covered in this episode are working his trips to umpire school, working various senior National Championships, the intensity of Senior Baseball on the East Coast, his work with Tournament (T12) 12 and much much more.   So sit back, relax, get ready - It's coming!    Link to 2019 Baseball Canada Senior Championship Gold Medal Game --->  https://tinyurl.com/SMNCGM   Rodney McCray going through a wall ------>  https://tinyurl.com/RMGTW

Thanks for coming back to part 2 of the Bottom Of The 6th Episode where Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Jim Cressman. Topics covered in this half of the interview are his experiences at the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul South Korea, hiding out with security in a secret location to watch the Men's 100M final, being named the 1990 international umpire of the year & 1991 Canadian Air Canada Amateur Official of the Year, almost calling a balk on Jim Abbott and getting a gift from Tino Martinez and his family.   So sit back, relax, get ready - It's coming!    Link to story about Steve Palermo's first game: https://tinyurl.com/y3sn5jw2

On part 1 of the Bottom Of The 6th Episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with an umpire who worked MiLB, was at the centre of an immigration issue when the US immigration department would not renew work Visas for non-american umpires in the 1970s, has worked 9 international baseball championships including the 1988 Olympic Games & 1993 World University games and was a 36 year sports reporter for the London Free Press - Jim Cressman.   Topics covered are his love of mentoring younger officials, enjoying adult beverages with John McSherry & having Steve Palermo drive his mother's car home, working the 1993 World University games and almost deporting a Cuban national from the USA, and working the plate for Brett Gray's 25 strikeout performance in professional baseball.   So sit back, relax, get ready - It's coming! Link to book "As They Seem Em" https://tinyurl.com/ASTSEM Brett Gray 25K story: https://tinyurl.com/BG24KS  John McSherry clip: https://tinyurl.com/JMcSherry

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with British Columbia Baseball Umpire Association (BCBUA) President, international experienced (IBAF/WBSC/COPABE) umpire and a woman who enjoys the occasional episode of The Muppet Show - Rhonda Pauls.   Topics covered are Mentorship within the BCBUA, getting a little too close to the action on a play at the plate, karaoke in Japan, breaking up fights on the diamond and her experiences at the 2015 Pan-Am Games.   So sit back, relax, get ready - It's coming!

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Baseball Canada, International Experience (IBAF/WBSC) and World Baseball Classic (2009) umpire and a man who drinks prune juice daily - Corrie Davis.   Topics covered are the game that changed his career, working the World Baseball Classic, being gifted a chest protector from MLB umpire Joe West, working with various AAA (now MLB) umpires in 1999 and the art of "Umpire Practice".   So sit back, relax, get ready - It's coming!   WBC Obstruction call Link -> https://youtu.be/gHVO1jVR8n8?t=10598

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Jim Evans Alumni (1997), International Experience (IBAF/WBSC)  and a man who has never seen the movie Forrest Gump - Rob Allan.   Topics covered are jumping into semi-professional baseball at the age of 17 , working 2 Pan-Am games (2011, 2015) one with Cesar Valdez and Rob's own Italian Fan Club.   *Video link of the famous -> Cesar Slam

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Can-Am League Alumni, Current MiLB umpire, and a man who prefers his hot chocolate shaken, not stirred - Kevin Mandzuk. Topics covered are umpiring at the amateur level, making the jump to professional baseball, umpire implications of when MLB players are rehabilitating in MiLB games and the time he ejected the same coach 6 times in the same game. So sit back, relax & get ready - it's coming!  

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with long time Baseball Canada Umpire & Supervisor, a Dick Willis Umpire of the Year recipient, and a man who prefers pencils over pens - David Cass. Topics covered are umpiring in the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League, The 2010 World Young (Junior) Baseball Championships and blog Hacking. So sit back, relax, get ready - it's coming! Show Link: PanAm Gold 2015 - Toronto: http://tinyurl.com/dspanam

On this episode Leading Edge Entertainment talks with Baseball Canada Level 4 Umpire, Saskatoon & District Baseball Umpire Association President and a man who prefers pedicures over go-karts - Matt Schule. We talk about his experience at 4 Baseball Canada national championships, being the SDBUA president and we do our best to get his debit card pin. So sit back, relax & get ready - Because It's coming. SDBUA Link as promised: https://tinyurl.com/SDBUA    

On this episode we talk with Baseball Canada Level 6 & WBSC umpire Trevor Drury. Trevor shares with us his accomplished baseball resume and stories from when he needed to be set on the straight and narrow, his experiences at WBSC championships, being named a Baseball Canada Dick Willis award winner and many more. So sit back, relax and get ready - because it's coming! Show link - "The Call" - http://tiny.cc/wbsc2015_U18_final  

On this episode we talk with Alberta Umpire & LLWS Alumni Brad Johnston & BCBUA Umpire Sean Weatherill about their experience as a crew at the 2019 Baseball Canada Cup. There's a few ejection stories, multiple Garth Brooks references and laughs from along the way. So sit back, relax and enjoy.....because it's coming!

We talk with MiLB alumni and current Baseball Canada & WBSC Umpire Aaron Roberts. Topics covered are: small towns, the minor leagues and all the way to a world championship, and how he continually strives to work on calling the low outside corner. So sit back, relax & enjoy - it's coming! Link to Aaron's catcher adventure (2:22:02) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGOl3D124_E&t=10228s

The Leading Edge chats with Baseball Saskatchewan Provincial Umpire Supervisor - Scott Mills about the Baseball Saskatchewan Provincial Umpire Program, growing the game, opportunities for female umpires in Saskatchewan, Umpiring the 2017 Canada Games and the time someone's jock strap ended up frozen in a bucket of water. So sit back, relax and get ready, because it's coming

1st Episode - we get into the idea behind the podcast and the vision. We bring on Baseball New Brunswick (NBBUA) & Baseball Canada Umpire Jeremy Nash to talk about growing up umpiring, his successes and the time he almost got kicked out of the Baseball Canada national umpire program (not really). So sit back relax and get ready because it's coming! PS:  Rookie podcaster here - feel free to leave feedback and ideas of where you would like to see the show go.