Corey Green

For more than five years, Corey Green has been a steady, trusted presence at the ballfields, shaping the culture and experience of the Caledonia Baseball Softball League, CBSL. Serving as both a coach and the league’s Umpire in Chief, Corey embodies what it means to lead with fairness, confidence, and care, especially when it comes to mentoring young umpires and athletes.

Corey’s love of baseball runs deep. Growing up, the sport was his passion, fueled by influential coaches and mentors who left a lasting impact. Today, that legacy continues as his wife, Kayla, and son, Conner, are also actively involved in CBSL. Originally from Indiana, the Green family moved to Caledonia in 2020 after spending time in the community and feeling drawn to its people and values. Once baseball season begins, Corey’s weeks are spent almost entirely at the fields, coaching, supporting the umpire team, and guiding newer officials as they find their footing.

Corey first stepped into volunteering when a coach was needed for his son’s division, a role he had held before. As CBSL grew, so did his involvement. With experience in field maintenance, he joined the board and supported facilities before stepping into the Umpire in Chief position in 2023. While coaching and umpiring may look different on the surface, Corey sees a common thread. Watching players and umpires grow throughout the season is what he enjoys most.

Behind the scenes, the Umpire in Chief role requires countless hours of training, mentoring, and thoughtful placement, matching umpires to games that fit their skill level and help them succeed. Corey is quick to share credit, noting that Kayla plays a vital role in scheduling and keeping everything running smoothly.

Ask anyone in CBSL and they’ll tell you that Corey’s heart is with the youth umpires. Many still play the game, others simply love being part of it. Corey believes there is a place for all of them on the field. Having made mistakes himself, he reminds young officials that errors are part of learning and that confidence and consistency are built over time.

For first time or nervous umpires, his advice is simple and reassuring. Get through the first half inning, stay focused, and know that support is always nearby. It is no surprise that former players and umpires continue to seek him out for guidance. To Corey, that trust is the greatest compliment and a sign that he supported them well through the sport.

Corey describes his leadership style with four words, fair, fun, firm, and confident. Whether navigating high pressure moments or resolving on field conflicts, he focuses on understanding the situation fully and applying rules without bias. Beyond wins and losses, the lessons he hopes young athletes and umpires carry forward are timeless. Failure is not something to fear, and confidence matters in every situation.

While CBSL remains his primary focus, Corey is always willing to lend a hand wherever the community needs it. What makes Caledonia special, he says, is its strong sense of values. Community based sports organizations matter because they give everyone the opportunity to grow, learn, and have fun.

Being named a Game Changer Award winner came as a surprise to Corey. The recognition makes him feel proud to be contributing to the growth of both the community and youth sports. Supported every step of the way by Kayla and Conner, Corey keeps coming back season after season to continue improving CBSL and to help kids develop on and off the field.

Looking ahead, his hopes are simple yet powerful. Continued growth, continued improvement, and an umpire program that fosters a lasting culture of respect between coaches, umpires, and parents. In every sense, Corey Green is changing the game, not just by the calls he makes, but by the confidence, character, and community he helps build along the way.

Sponsored by: Sam and Brant Wheaton