He’s been a long-serving and dedicated umpire in the Western Canadian Baseball League for several years.

Whether he’s calling balls and strikes, checking on outfield catches or rendering verdicts on close plays at first base, Jeff Chipley has honed his umpiring craft to the point that observers have taken notice.

The result of his years of ballpark service have led to Chipley being named the recipient of the 2026 Mitch Ball Memorial Award, given annually by the WCBL to the top umpire in the league.

“Jeff has worked tremendously hard on improving his game over the past few years and his work this past year shows his hard work and dedication to umpiring is paying off,” said WCBL Supervisor of Umpires Rob Allan.

“He did over twenty games for us this year, including the WCBL championship series. He is a true leader in our league on and off the field. Congratulations to Jeff on a fantastic season.”

Chipley called it a “tremendous honour” to be selected as the winner of the Mitch Ball Memorial Award.

“For me to be considered as one of the top umpires in the league, especially this year, is a major highlight of my career so far, and I can only thank my colleagues for their support and drive to improve alongside them every time we go out to umpire a game,” he said.

“I was fortunate to be one of the many umpires that Mitch mentored in all aspects of umpiring … since I was a teenager just getting into umpiring in Central Alberta when Mitch was living in Rocky Mountain House, to when I moved to Lethbridge for university in 2011, until his unfortunate passing in 2021.”

Added Chipley: “He was always so positive, calm, relaxed, and just always happy, and no matter what, Mitch always brought me back to reality and taught me to not sweat the small things and have fun with life. It is something I strive to do every single day in my personal, professional, and umpire life. To be given this recognition that is named in his honour makes me feel like he is still there making me, and many others, better people through his inspiration and positivity, which I am forever grateful for.”

Chipley got into umpiring in 2005 following what he describes as a “less than Hall of Fame playing career.”

His parents urged him to get a summer job at the time and he had little interest in working in the hospitality industry.

“I saw a flyer at my high school that they were looking for baseball umpires in Sylvan Lake, where I grew up, so I signed up,” he recalled.

“I became hooked then and twenty-two years later one of my favourite things to do is head to the ballpark, more so when I am actually umpiring or mentoring other umpires, but even just watching a game and the umpires work.”

Known simply as “Chip” to players, coaches and other umpires, he has been working in the WCBL since 2010.

“The WCBL has grown tremendously over the past decade and a half,” noted the 36-year-old Lacombe resident.

“I see players like Erik Sabrowski, Kody Funderburk and Tristan Peters now playing in the majors and can say, ‘It was cool to umpire those guys in the WMBL/WCBL.’”

Chipley thoroughly enjoyed the WCBL Postseason this summer, including the opportunity to take the field for the championship final.

“Working the WCBL Championship Series between the Gulls and the Berries was an absolute thrill this past August, and it also prepared me to work at the 2026 Baseball Canada Men's National Championship in Miramichi, New Brunswick just days later,” he said.

“Being out on the field working a league championship with the crowds packed and intense in both Sylvan Lake and Saskatoon was outstanding. I was also fortunate to work all three rounds of the WCBL Postseason this year, including working the plate in elimination games during each of the first two rounds, so this season has been nothing except memorable.”

In addition to his time in the WCBL, Chipley has umpired in the West Coast League, the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC), and at nine national championships, as well as the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland.  

He has also won Baseball Alberta’s Junior Umpire of the Year and Senior Umpire of the Year awards and conducted umpiring courses for Baseball Canada.

“In short, baseball is a large part of my life,” said Chipley.

“Working games in the WCBL also has became a bit of a personal affair, as I see many family and friends in the stands wherever I work.”