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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Lorena Walsh – Dartmouth Volunteer:

Rita McNeil & Men of the Deeps:

https://tinyurl.com/RitaMcNeilMenOfTheDeeps

Rankin Family – Mull River Shuffle (Warning – Put Your Dancing Shoes on):