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