Steven Thomas Vallier

Biography:

Born in Kingston, Steve Vallier has called Kingston home since returning from Long Lake in 1980. He played rep fastball and high school volleyball for Sharbot Lake High School in his younger days, and married his high school sweetheart Carol in 1985. Steve first got involved with the Kingston Baseball Association when his son Jareth started playing in1993, followed by Jareth’s brother Brant in 1995. Steve has dedicated himself to the KBA so much so over the years that he has been described as “The Heart of Kingston Baseball’. It has been his involvement with the KBA however, that really fueled his passion to make a difference in the lives of the young people in our community.

When you look at the list of tasks necessary to build and sustain a youth sports league, Steve checks all the boxes. He has been a coach of both rep and house league teams, acted as registrar, executive member, treasurer, Bingo co-ordinator and runner, scheduler, equipment manager, performed field maintenance, and represented the KBA on the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association. This is a list that represents a lifetime of commitment to improving the lives of the youth around him.

It is on and around the local baseball diamonds that his passion, and love of the game shines brightest. One year after hitting a low point in registration when the KBA had only 79 participants and the league’s collapse was feared, a “back to the basics” grassroots approach was established to truly teach the game of baseball. Players started to return, more very motivated people joined the league, the KBA moved from the EOBA to Little League Canada, and grew to over 500 players by 2018. That momentum continues today with even more participants at the house league and Rep team levels. The current KBA Executive hosted very successful consecutive Little League Canadian Championships in 2024 and 2025, as well as the Eastern Canadian Girls Baseball Championship in 2025 here in Kingston.

After 30 years of involvement Steve continues to have a “do whatever it takes to make this work” approach. In 2022 Steve was given the inaugural Doug Jeffries Award by the KBA, given to the individual demonstrating dedication, leadership, and consistent promotion of baseball in Kingston.

Described as a hard working family man, Steve Vallier is well known for his commitment to family and the KBA, through his teaching, mentoring and leadership. He continues to do what he does for his “LOVE OF THE GAME”.