Elliott, Subscriber Series V: Deborah Steciuk

As the sun sets at Sleeman Stadium ‘baseball aunt’ Deborah Steciuk (Winnipeg, Man.) gets her picture taken with nephew Jared Spearing (Winnipeg, Man.)

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

And now we move on to Part V of the Canadian Baseball Network loyal subscriber series.

Of course, we are looking for the individual subscribers -- not underappreciating the likes of busy academies/schools/teams like the Okotoks Dawgs, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and the Terriers.

Elliott, Subscriber Series Part I, Joanne Brunner

Elliott, Subscriber Series, Part II: Noah Anderson

Elliott, Subsriber Series Part III: Monica McGarry

Elliott, Subscriber Series, Part IV: Steve McAllister

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Name: Deborah Steciuk.

Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.

When did your love for baseball begin?: “My love for baseball began when my nephew (Jared Spearing) started playing ball as a young kid. I went to every game from that point on (including his Team Manitoba games all over the place) up until he moved away to the Okotoks Dawgs Academy. He spent a year there, went to T-12 in Toronto as well and subsequently went to college on a scholarship. He also played for the summer Dawgs every summer he was eligible. So once he moved I watched all the games online. I fell in love with the game as a whole, to quote Moneyball: ‘How can you not be romantic about baseball?’ There’s something about the fact that the game doesn’t have a time clock it plays out for as long as necessary, appreciating the skill necessary to hit a ball and to throw a ball. I love a good pitcher’s duel but at the same time I’m not opposed to a good barn burner once in a while too. I love watching the guys put it all on the line to make a great play.”

What is your association with baseball? “I am a baseball aunt because of Jared. Now I devote all my love to the Toronto Blue Jays watching as many games as possible”.

What is your most memorable moment? “Hands down my favorite moment would be when Jared had 14 strikeouts (6IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 14K) one short of tying the school record at the University of British Columbia which is still held today by Niall Windeler (Toronto, Ont.) and Jeff Francis (Delta, BC). He was in the zone that day. It was fun to watch. That ended up being the last game he pitched before things shut down and everything was cancelled (due to COVID-19). Unfortunately that following autumn and subsequent spring UBC couldn’t get over the border to play their games despite the fact that all the teams in the US were back to playing as normal. So all the seniors missed out on their final year which is still heartbreaking to me. I also enjoyed watching Jared live in Okotoks in a full Seaman Stadium, that is a great place to watch baseball and great fan base, I was nervous watching him play in front of that many people but once he threw his first pitch I knew he was in control and I settled back and relaxed and enjoyed the game. Great experience all around!! Jared’s UBC roommate Jaxon Valcke was on the team one summer and he had a great season as well, it was fun to root for him too. The Dawgs won the championship that summer so it was a great group of guys all around.”

Favourite feature on the Canadian Baseball Network: “I like seeing the updates and features on the guys in the minors and player features as it’s fun to keep track of how Jared’s friends and former teammates are doing. I also like to see the draft lists and BMOC. Always fun to see great Canadians being highlighted to show that Canada has some great ball. We’re not just a hockey country anymore. I also enjoy when you highlight the women’s accomplishments as well (shout out to Mia Valcke my ‘baseball niece’) Mia is the sister of Jared’s college roommate and close friend Jaxon Valcke and it’s great to see what she is getting up to, she’s a phenomenal baseball player.

How did you hear about the Canadian Baseball Network? “By following Jared. I have transferred my love of baseball over to being a loyal Blue Jays fan and get my fix that way!! Thanks for reaching out and keep up the great work highlighting great young Canadian ballplayers.”

Spearing pitched In two seasons (2019-2020) with UBC, Spearing was 7-5 with a 4.79 ERA in 19 games, making 15 starts and fanning 84 in 88 1/3 innings. His two summers at Okotoks, he was 3-2 with a 3.81 ERA in 17 appearances, making eight starts, striking out 38 in 54 1/3 innings.