Parkland Alum Selected as 2024 World Series Umpire Crew Chief
Mark Carlson, member of Parkland’s Athletic Hall of Fame
Parkland College alum and former Cobra standout Mark Carlson has been selected as umpire crew chief for the 2024 World Series.
The former Cobra catcher and current Major League Baseball umpire is in his 25th season, having joined the Major League staff in 1999. A 2016 Parkland College Hall of Famer, Carlson was appointed a crew chief for the 2021 season.
Carson graduated from Joliet West High School before attending attended Parkland College in 1987, where he was a catcher for the Cobras Baseball team. He umpired in the Pioneer League (1993), Midwest League (1994), Florida State League (1995), Southern League (1996-97), International League (1998-99) and the Arizona Fall League (1998) before reaching the Majors.
He was named the Chicago Hit & Pitch Club’s Umpire of the Year in 2003. In 2004 he established Mark Carlson’s Care, a nonprofit organization designed to help children in need. In the off season, he also works with charitable organizations such as the Will County Old Timers’ Association and the Umps Care charities. He and his wife Marie have two daughters, Grace and Audrey.