Mazatlán is known as Sinaloa’s tourism jewel — a city celebrated for its beaches, gastronomy, and culture. And among its many cultural treasures stands baseball, a sport that has produced outstanding figures. One of them is Jordan John Sandberg Morgan, a Mazatlán native who has dedicated his life to the game and was recently recognized as Umpire of the Year in the American Association, an independent professional baseball league in the United States.
Jordan explained:
“This award was given to me in the American Association, an independent league that plays mainly in the U.S., but also has a team in Canada. I’ve been working there since 2019.”
This recognition comes as no surprise. Baseball has been a constant in Jordan’s life since childhood — from playing as a standout catcher in youth leagues to mastering the game from behind the plate as an umpire.
“I started watching baseball when I was three or four years old and told my mom I wanted to play. At five, she took me to Liga Muralla, where I had a successful run in youth baseball,” Sandberg shared.
Jordan also highlighted his professional preparation:
“In 2016, I attended an umpire school in Florida, and in 2017, I went back to another one. That same year, I got a job in Minor League Baseball and spent a couple of years there.”
His background in Sports Science has allowed him to grow not only as an umpire but also as a Sports Assistant with the Venados de Mazatlán during the Mexican Pacific League season.
Reflecting on his distinction, Jordan expressed gratitude and offered advice to future generations:
“Baseball is beautiful, but it’s not easy. When you do it every day, it becomes routine — that’s when the mental side matters. You have to stay focused every single day, whether you’re a player or an umpire.”
He added:
“An umpire must know the rules, but also understand how to manage people, because every player has a different personality. Sometimes they ask questions in a certain tone, and you have to know how to respond the right way.”
Congratulations to Jordan Sandberg — a true example of discipline, dedication, and Mazatlán excellence on the international stage.