Brian Shalovelo still inspiring players after 47 years of coaching fastball in Saskatoon

For 47 years, Brian Shalovelo has been standing on the sidelines of Saskatoon’s ball diamonds, coaching hundreds of fastball athletes.

Coaching fastball is a hobby that began for him all the way back in high school, when his sister’s team said they needed a coach.

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“My sister came to me, and she said ‘Stop playing, start coaching, because if you don’t we’re not going to have a team,’’’ Shalovelo explained.

Shalovelo ended up being a nice brother and took over the coaching duties for the team. After his first year coaching, he said he kept being asked to come back and volunteer, and he continued to oblige.

Once he had kids of his own, Shalovelo convinced his daughter Mallory to start playing fastball. Mallory, who is now in her late 30s, still plays the sport, and Shalovelo still volunteers to coach her senior team.

“I think that we’re still playing at such a high level because of my dad,” said Mallory Shalovelo. (Mallory Shalovelo/Submitted)

“He’s so knowledgeable, but in saying that, he’s also so much fun,” Mallory said.

“I think that we’re still playing at such a high level because of my dad. We come out there, we are very competitive, but we’re also having so much fun at the same time. He pushes us, but also lets us just have fun. I think that’s why a lot of people are still playing – because of my dad.”

Shalovelo said fun is a big part of his coaching philosophy.

“If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong. It talks about team and it talks about relationships,” Shalovelo explained.

Shalovelo said for him, the best part about coaching is seeing his athletes improve, both on and off the field. It’s a big reason why he continues to coach.

“I call it the juice – that that adrenaline, that competitive spirit, the thing that drives you to get out of bed and come to ball games and plan practices, put together processes so that these athletes can be a success,” Shalovelo explained.

“Successes can be many things. It can be not only skills development, but it’s also like positive self image and work ethic – things like that really are life skills. It’s not just playing the game. Sport is a metaphor for life, in my world, so work ethic, dedication, teamwork, you know, leadership, followership, that sort of thing that transfers into so many other things in life.”

Some Shalovelo’s age might think that after 47 years it’s time to hang up the coaching towel, but he said he has no plans to do that.

“I think every year for the last 10 years I said ‘This is my last year.’ Somehow, someway, I keep finding my way out to the to the diamond,” Shalovelo chuckled.

“I’m still having fun.”

In 2022, Shalovelo was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame as a builder.