Mateychuk headed into Hall of Fame

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This article was published 31/05/2018 (2146 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jason Mateychuk has spent most of his life involved in the game of baseball as a player, coach, manager and administrator.

The Zhoda native, now the principal of Roseau Valley School in Dominion City, will be part of a class of inductees at the Manitoba Baseball of Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and banquet this Saturday at Morden, which is the home of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of fame.

Mateychuk is still relatively young and in his 40’s, especially when you consider a Hall of Fame induction.  Although he only started playing baseball at a relatively late age of 13, he made those years count when he first started playing organized baseball as he quickly became one of the top young players in the province.

He had an outstanding five-year career playing his junior baseball with the Elmwood Giants of the Manitoba Junior Baseball League. Two of his teammates during his tenure with the Giants from 1987-92 included the likes of Corey Koskie, who went on to a standout Major League Baseball career, mainly with the Minnesota Twins; and longtime NHL goaltender Trevor Kidd.

While with the Giants he excelled as a pitcher, first baseman and power hitter, helping the Giants win two MJBL titles while at Elmwood.

After his junior career was complete, Mateychuk headed south where he played four years of college ball at Mayville State in North Dakota, earning All-Conference honours in 1993.

And then for the next decade or more Mateychuk played senior ball with his friends with the Carillon Sultans of the Winnipeg Senior Baseball League and then the Franklin Border Kings of the Border East League.

In his decade as a player/coach with the Sultans from 1995 to 2004, the Sultans won an incredible five WSBL crowns as well as the 2003 Provincial Senior ‘A’ title.

Playing a similar role with the Border Kings from 2005 to 2011, he led the Border Kings to four league titles.

Mateychuk, with five kids, remains heavily involved in the game as a coach at the minor level as well as on provincial teams and continues to contribute to Baseball Manitoba as an executive member and clinician, among other things.  

“To be inducted into this Hall of Fame is very humbling,” said Mateychuk, “I feel almost too young be in a Hall of Fame with some of the great players that are in there. It is quite an honour.”

Among the other inductees at Saturday’s event in Morden will be Faron Asham, Doug Freeth, Trevor Proctor, Andrew Collier, Troy Fortin and Terry Mayert, who will join Mateychuk in the Individuals category, along with umpire Ron Shewchuk.

Four teams are being inducted as well: Brandon Marlins (1999-2008); Morden Mohawks (1993-2000); Warren Seniors (1974-1979); and Carman Goldeyes Juniors (1971-74).