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For Dayle Legros, becoming an umpire was not part of the plan.

“It was kind of a fluke accident,” says Mr. Legros.  “They needed an umpire for a charity tournament.  I umpired all day and I told myself that I’d like to try this.”

That moment happened almost 30 years ago and now Mr. Legros will be heading for his first international tournament in August for the World Junior Baseball Qualifying tournament in Mexico.

“I’m really excited,” says Mr. Legros.  “I’m hoping it will be very competitive.”

The St. Catharines, Ontario resident has been an umpire for several National Championships over his career.  He has also been an umpire for the now defunct Canadian Baseball League and the North Atlantic League.

“I’ve even umpired behind Carlos Delgado,” explains Mr. Legros of the games he was calling the balls and strikes for the now defunct St. Catharines Blue Jays.

Mr. Legros received the good news of his trip to Mexico this summer at a bit of an unusual hour.

“I got a call at 11 o’clock at night from Eddie (Quinlan, supervisor of umpires for Ontario) that I was selected for an international (tournament),” recalls Mr. Legros.  “I was shocked, and a little bit surprised.”

For the last 15 seasons, Mr. Legros has been an umpire in the Intercounty Baseball League in Ontario where former Major Leaguer and Senior National Team member Rob Butler plays.  Now that his first international experience will soon be here, he remembers what brought on this journey.

“I love baseball,” says Mr. Legros.  “I also coach high school baseball, which is perfect because it allows me to do some umpiring during the summer, which I love.”