Free summer viewing (Shameless Plugs for NWL and WCL . . . and related umpires)

[The Man in Blue]

Looking for some free streaming services for your summer baseball viewing?  Looking for baseball games involving umpires who may or may not be on this forum, and may or may not be children of forum members?  Well, look no further!

The NorthWoods League offers most of their games via Northwoods League+ streaming through their free app (available through Apple or Google), or their website  https://watch.northwoodsleague.com/home  .  You may also be able to catch a few games on ESPN affiliated channels.

NWL plays throughout the Great Plains/Great Lakes areas in the Midwest and Canada.  They utilize OBR with a few NCAA rules modification (the action clock and FPSR). They use a 3-umpire crew, so it's a good way to learn/brush up on your 3-umpire mechanics!

Games start May 26.

A certain road warrior umpire / umpire equipment guru on here is liable to pop up every now and then . . . watch for #6 on the sleeve.

 

The West Coast League is also a summer collegiate wooden bat league, with 16 teams in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Alberta. 

Like, NWL, their games are accessible for FREE via streaming.  Their app can be found on Apple or Google, or their website is: https://westcoastleague.com/streaming/  

WCL uses 2-umpire crews, which most of us here can relate to.

Games begin May 30th.

Watch for #70 on the sleeve . . . that's my son!

 

(You will need to sign up for an account for either streaming service, but viewing is totally free.)

[834k3r]

10 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Looking for baseball games involving umpires who may or may not be on this forum, and may or may not be children of forum members? 

[love to ump]

Hey Man in Blue...your son in WCL..does he do any game in Edmonton?

[The Man in Blue]

On 6/25/2025 at 10:30 PM, love to ump said:

Hey Man in Blue...your son in WCL..does he do any game in Edmonton?

I thought he told me he would be going to Canada and he got his passport for this, but last week he told me they are keeping everybody on their own side of the border.  Not sure if that means they had more Canadian umps than usual, or if they are just trying to avoid any border crossing/political issues.  Or maybe he just misunderstood in the beginning?  

Any insight on that @MadMax?

[Velho]

21 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

I thought he told me he would be going to Canada and he got his passport for this, but last week he told me they are keeping everybody on their own side of the border. 

As someone who has struggled with LL mechanic changes from "She/He's out" to "Out" I imagine they didn't want to complicate things for the umpires.

[BLWizzRanger]

9 minutes ago, Velho said:

As someone who has struggled with LL mechanic changes from "She/He's out" to "Out" I imagine they didn't want to complicate things for the umpires.

What? Its mandated to say 'Out, eh' in Canada? I agree, it would be hard to pick up...

[The Man in Blue]

10 hours ago, Velho said:

As someone who has struggled with LL mechanic changes from "She/He's out" to "Out" I imagine they didn't want to complicate things for the umpires.

I assumed the issue was converting to metric strikes and balls.  Until somebody invents an indicator that will do that for you, anyway.

I believe the current exchange rate has us at:

3 US strikes = 2.6 Canadian strikes

4 US balls = 3.3 Canadian balls

[Velho]

11 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

I assumed the issue was converting to metric strikes and balls.  Until somebody invents an indicator that will do that for you, anyway.

I believe the current exchange rate has us at:

3 US strikes = 2.6 Canadian strikes

4 US balls = 3.3 Canadian balls

In fairness, in the US we'll just print more strikes as needed to avoid being out. "The count is 3 & 6"& 6&q

[The Man in Blue]

Or we could just reduce the number of strikes needed at lower levels of Little League so we can add more to the higher level pro leagues.  Those kids don't need them anyway . . . 

[love to ump]

no...no...you guys got it wrong....when you ring the kid up on strike three....you got to say sorry to him!!

[love to ump]

Happy Canada Day....from the Great White North....

[Velho]

59 minutes ago, love to ump said:

no...no...you guys got it wrong....when you ring the kid up on strike three....you got to say sorry to him!!

I am from Seattle (originally) so I can relate to that one!

[love to ump]

no game today for me on Canada Day...but got a different hat for my game on the 4th of July!

a little Hockey reference always helps a ball game!

[love to ump]

Hey Velho....Seattle was always a our favorite road trip to catch a Blue Jays game...love that city....we did Minny last fall and it was great too....gonna miss those trips 

[The Man in Blue]

9 hours ago, love to ump said:

no...no...you guys got it wrong....when you ring the kid up on strike three....you got to say sorry to him!!

That’s where I’ve been screwing up …

”STRIKE THREE, YA’ HOSER!”

I apologize for causing all the geopolitical strife because of my call.  The world can go back to normal now … now … wait … NOW … Ok, any time now.

 

[BLWizzRanger]

19 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

I assumed the issue was converting to metric strikes and balls.  Until somebody invents an indicator that will do that for you, anyway.

I believe the current exchange rate has us at:

3 US strikes = 2.6 Canadian strikes

4 US balls = 3.3 Canadian balls

You forgot Trump's tariffs.

{Just a joke, nothing else... HA! )

[love to ump]

Best Canuck currently in the MLB....Stu Scheurwater...now calling 25% more strikes!