A Brussels native has been honoured by Softball Canada.
Pitcher Ty Sebastian has been named Men's Fast Pitch Athlete of the Year for 2023. Ty had an incredible season both nationally and internationally.
He helped lead Canada to a silver medal at the 2022 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in New Zealand. He filled in at second base, collecting two hits including a home run and three RBIs. His first appearance as a pitcher saw Sebastian strike out 12 of 15 batters in a five-inning shutout against South Africa.
Sebastian says representing his country, and having to step into the batter's box, was a wild experience.
"It felt pretty good, especially off the bat, and you're just thinking 'Get out, get out,' and then when it does, all the cheers in the stands, it really sinks in youy hit your first national team home run," Sebastian shared.
In his 12 strikeout game, his first appearance for Canada on the hill, Sebastian says he had a simple approach.
"The mindset in that game was just keep pounding the zone. The guys got a lot of runs for me, but I just kept pounding the zone and I didn't wanna give up any runs myself. The catcher and I got on the same page right away and I just kept throwing strikes, and that was my first real experience pitching with the national team, as well. So, it was definitely a real good game to pitch in, that's for sure," added Sebastian.
Domestically, Sebastian helped lead the Toronto Batsmen to a Men's Canadian Championship. The team went 8-0, and he a pitched 15-inning shutout in one of the longest finals in tournament history and was named Most Valuable Player of the Preliminary Round and Top Player of the Championship Round in the process.
Sebastian is also an instructor and pitching coach, with some simple advice for young pitchers just getting started.
"My biggest thing is I just wanna see them throw hard. Don't ever take a little bit off just to throw strikes, I'd rather see a young kid be a little wild but, as long as they have the technique of the power line and driving through and staying throwing hard. Don't let bad habits take over, really driving toward the cathcer, stuff like that," explained Sebastian.
With his first experience with Team Canada under his belt, Sebastian is now looking to upcoming World Cup events and championships in 2024 and 2025.