If you may not know, I am Michael Jensen, the BC umpire representative at the 2026 Canadian Regional tournament (nationals) here in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. I’ve been umpiring with Coquitlam since I was 11 years old, back in 2019, and I started out as a kid who wanted to make 10 to 20 dollars while staying involved with the game I loved. In 2022, I got my first District and provincial assignments, the 9/10 districts and the Senior provincials. I kept doing districts and provincials until 2024, where I was selected for my first nationals in Coquitlam. Last year, I was called upon as a last minute substitute for an umpire that had to drop out of Layritz, and this year, I was finally allowed to leave the province and represent BC.

One part I love about Umpiring is the communal aspect it brings. I’m currently rooming with four other umpires, and we all travel in the same car, we go out to eat together, it’s like a second family. Even if I’m the butt of all the jokes, it’s still a great time to be around these guys. This tournament monsters over any other tournament I have done. The Cameron Bowl held from 8,000 to 10,000 people for the Glace Bay vs Sydney Rivalry game, and luckily, I was given the honors to have second base for that game.

This tournament has allowed me to travel the country. Until this tournament, I haven’t gone further east than Edmonton. The people here in Glace Bay have welcomed me with such amazing hospitality, it feels like a fever dream at times. An example was when the out-of-town umpires went to a restaurant called Chicken Shack, and a local stayed after his meal to see me get the “Kitchen Sink.” I recommend it when you come to Glace Bay.

To the kids wondering if you should get into umpiring, do it. A lot of the umpires are nearing the end of their time, and you can experience the luxury that these tournaments have to offer.

CLL will be hosting its annual AGM on September 17th at 7 pm at the Maillardville Community Centre all are welcome to help discuss and shape the future of the organization.

The address is 1200 Cartier Ave in Coquitlam.