Dan McLaren has lived in Langley since 1988 after growing up in White Rock. He has a 28-year-old son and a 24-year-old daughter, as well as twin grandsons.McLaren is known for his work as an umpire and with the Langley Baseball Association.

How long have you been involved with baseball?

Since I was 12 years old. I started umpiring in 1966.

Why baseball?

Baseball to me is no longer a sport or hobby, it is a lifestyle, and I enjoy teaching both the young kids and the adults who want to learn the sport and want to umpire.

What got you involved?

When I was young, I played soccer and other sports. But when you are young and growing up and you go to see baseball being played at Nat Bailey Stadium when the Vancouver Mounties were the home team, it gets into your blood and gets you going, especially when the players of the time were willing to talk to you and give advice and invite you out to the practices.

The games on TV at the time were focused on the Yankees and Dodgers and a kid couldn’t help but be impressed by sports idols like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax and Maury Wills.

Hardest part of umpiring?

The hardest part of umpiring has two sides: one is watching a young player get upset and cry when he strikes out, and the second is listening to those behind the backstop who complain and voice their opinions. If they only knew the rules, it would be a lot easier.

Best part?

Watching the players who want to be good ball players and those who are good, who work even harder to get better.

There are other things that are good as well, but to pick the best part, that’s really hard to pinpoint, because it changes all the time and the older you get, you look at things differently.

Most memorable moment?  

Being Canada’s representative at the junior World Series last August, and being selected by the tournament committee to do the plate in the final game in Taylor, Mich.

Who are your influences?

As an umpire, Ron Luciano and Larry Barnett. In everyday life, my parents.

What do you do to relax?

I like being with my twin grandsons, antique hunting, reading and fishing. I also teach the art of umpiring to young people.

What’s playing on your iPod?

I use a walkman (old school). Johnny Cash, Dire Straits, Meatloaf, Fleetwood Mac, BTO and Trooper (like I said, old school).

What book are you reading right now?

The Waterboy by Bobby Ackles.

The world would be a better place if only people would . . .

Learn to respect and help one another, regardless the colour, religion or political preference. Life is too short for people to keep arguing and fighting.

What is something about yourself that most people don’t know?

A lot of people will see me as the “hard liner” and by the book. They do not see the person that is easy to get a long with, but who also weighs things carefully inside before acting.

It does not do any good getting upset or mad as that just gives you more obstacles to climb over.

In high school, I was . . .

An average student who was sports minded, especially the field sports, discus, hammer etc. That required lots of strength. I had lots of determination and enjoyed myself. I would embarrass those who were picking on others. Size does have its advantages.