Carnahan relishing head coach journey with Berries

2025 WCBL coach of the year looking forward to 2026 season

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Joe Carnahan throws out a ceremonial first pitch on July 28, 2023.

Joe Carnahan couldn’t resist the opportunity to help build something from scratch with the Saskatoon Berries.

In the spring of 2023, Carnahan had been out of the WCBL for an extended stretch after resigning as the head coach and general manager of the Swift Current 57’s in September of 2020. He was contacted by Berries president Steve Hildebrand and Berries director of baseball operations Mark Campbell about coming up to Saskatoon to become the expansion team’s first ever head coach.

During those talks, Carnahan’s confidence grew that the team’s management wanted to run the franchise the right way and give the incoming head coach the resources he needed to succeed. On July 5, 2023, the Berries announced that Carnahan was hired as the team’s new head coach.

“It was pretty much a no-brainer to come up here just to have the opportunity to work with this organization and just kind of help start a team from the ground up,” said Carnahan. “It was just a great opportunity that you couldn’t pass up on.”

Having built a legendary career in the WCBL in Swift Current, Carnahan’s arrival in Saskatoon gave the Berries a huge shot of instant credibility. The product of Ashland, Wisconsin, played for Swift Current from 2001 to 2007 and helped the team win league championships in 2001, 2005 and 2006.

Carnahan was named the circuit’s most valuable player in 2002 and 2005 and was playoff MVP in 2001 and 2005. During those years, teams in the WCBL, which was then known as the Western Major Baseball League, could have players that had graduated from playing at post-secondary institutions.

Starting in 2008, Carnahan became Swift Current’s head coach, and he guided the team to league championships in 2010, 2016 and 2017. Carnahan was named the league’s coach of the year four times, when he was the skipper in Swift Current.

In coming to Saskatoon, Carnahan said the biggest unknowns regarded what the fan support would be and how the Berries operations would look on a day-to-day basis. Both exceeded his expectations. While the Berries were an expansion club in 2024, Carnahan expected the team would make some noise that season in the WCBL.

Joe Carnahan, left, shakes hands with Matthias Trondson on May 28, 2024.

“Just you know like every year, your expectations are to win, and that is why you want to do things,” said Carnahan. “That is why you know kind of the business plan was the way it was and just the way the players are treated and the resources and everything.

“It is set up to win, and that was our expectation right away. I am just fortunate enough to have built a lot of relations throughout my baseball career to help get some guys up here right away that can compete at a high level and just kind of set the foundation as far as the culture and the expectation baseball wise.”

The Berries did stumble out of the gate to a 3-8 start in 2024. Under Carnahan’s watch, they improved rapidly and finished the regular season with a 31-26 record to place Saskatoon sixth in the 12-team circuit. They turned Cairns Field into the hotspot place to be that spring and summer in Saskatoon attracting an average of 1,931 spectators for their 26 regular season home dates.

In the post-season, the Berries advanced to the WCBL’s East Division Championship Series falling in the best-of-three set 5-3 in a series deciding Game 3 to the Moose Jaw Miller Express. During that campaign, centre-fielder Carter Beck, who was raised in Carnduff, Sask., rose to star status.

In the Berries 14-1 Game 1 victory over the Express at Cairns Field in the East Division final, Beck became the first Berries player to hit for the cycle. He was named the WCBL rookie of the year and most outstanding Canadian player in 2024.

Carnahan was pleased with how far the team came in that campaign.

“We definitely had a rough start,” said Carnahan. “A lot of times in this league or summer leagues it is a matter of when you actually get the most or all of your guys up right away.

Joe Carnahan takes part in a media scrum on May 28, 2024.

“That year, we just happened to be where a lot of our pitchers were coming up a little bit later. We were a little bit thin there, and it kind of showed. Once we got everybody up here and we kind of got into a routine, then everything kind of worked out.

“We started playing a little bit better, and we made a little bit of a run in the playoffs and wish we could have got a little bit further. Moose Jaw played us well, and we just couldn’t get by them.”

Last season in year two of the franchise, the Berries hit the ground running returning a number of key players including Beck, Ethan Menard, Jalen Freeman, Bailey Sorensen, Cory Wouters and Colin Plain. The Berries would set a new WCBL record for regular season wins topping the circuit with a 46-9 record. The old record of 44 wins was set in 2024 by the Sylvan Lake Gulls.

Saskatoon proceeded to down the Miller Express 2-1 in a best-of-three East Division semifinal series. The Berries claimed a 16-12 victory in a series-deciding Game 3 with Beck hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the 10^th inning.

In the East Division final, the Berries went to a series-deciding Game 3 against the Regina Red Sox. The Red Sox claimed a 6-2 victory and advanced on to win the WCBL championships.

Carnahan would be named the WCBL coach of the year due to the outstanding regular season the Berries had. It marked the fifth time he claimed that honour in his career and the first time he did so guiding the Berries.

He said the Berries heartbreaks in the East Division final show how the level of play in the league goes up in the post-season.

“To win a championship in any league is hard,” said Carnahan. “You have short series in the playoffs, your best of threes.

Joe Carnahan, left, shakes hands with Carter Beck on Aug. 11, 2024.

“Bats can’t get cold, or it is tough to have a guy who has a tough outing or anything like that, because you don’t have a lot of time to bounce back. You’ve got to tip your hat to Regina. They played well and ended up winning the championship.

“It was a good series with them, three good games. They just came out on top, but we were right there. If something goes one way or another a different way, we might have come out on top, but tip your hat to them.”

The Berries will begin their third season on May 28 when they travel to Weyburn to take on the Beavers. Saskatoon’s home opener will be Saturday, May 30 at 4 p.m. at Cairns Field against the Beavers.

Going into the 2026 campaign, the Gordie Howe Sports Complex is working in partnership with the Berries and the Sask Entertainment Group to install 352 new seats as part of new stadium seating sections on the field behind home plate at Cairns.

The Berries will also host the 2026 WCBL All-Star Weekend on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, which marks the first time that festivities around the circuit’s all-star game will run over two days. Festivities start at 4 p.m. on July 19 and include a bunt contest, a little league home run derby, a WCBL home run derby and a live concert by Jordyn Pollard. The WCBL All-Star Game is slated for 1 p.m. on July 19 and a post-game autograph session will follow.

Carnahan is looking forward to what is in store in year three for the club.

“Every year is bigger and better and there is always something new added,” said Carnahan. “This year we have the all-star weekend.

“We also have the seating expansion at Cairns (Field), which will be nice. We have a good group of guys coming back as well and a bunch of new faces. It is always exciting to see a bunch of guys from all over North American and beyond come together for a short three months to three and a half months season and kind of see how they jell and work together as a team and just be around each other every single day at the park.

Joe Carnahan, centre, works from the Berries dugout on Aug. 10, 2025.

“It is fun with just people from different areas and cultures all jelling together.”

For more information about the Saskatoon Berries and their upcoming WCBL season, feel free to check their website at www.saskatoonberriesbaseballclub.ca.

Institute of Saskatchewan Football takes photo roundup spotlight

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A group of offensive linemen set a block at an ISF session.

The Institute of Saskatchewan Football is one of the newest programs that calls the Gordie Howe Sports Complex home.

It was officially born on May 10, 2024, and it was created by Saskatoon Minor Football in partnership with the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre and Ignite Athletics. The Institute of Saskatchewan Football (ISF) is a fully accredited academic program that allows students to further develop their football skills during the winter semester through the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre.

It is open for high school students in Grades 10 to 12, and those who take part in the program get high school credits for playing football, training and the leadership component. The Institute focuses on academics, skill development, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, sportsmanship and character building, college and university opportunities, personal growth, competition and exposure, injury prevention and safety and enjoyment of the game.

Mikenzie McLane (#10) and Addison Zakowski compete in a drill.

The student-athletes who are part of the program, which is in its second season of operation, are often seen on the field turf field or at Ignite Athletics in mornings at the Indoor Training Centre during the current days. They take part in online classes and study periods in the afternoon. When the snow melts on Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the student-athletes take part in their football training there.

The lead photo of our photo roundup sees a group of offensive linemen go through a blocking scheme in a walk through. The second picture sees receiver Mikenzie McLane getting inside position on defensive back Addison Zakowski to make a catch in a one-on-one flag football drill.

The third shot shows defensive lineman Preston Epp exploding out of his stance during a defensive team scheme walk through.

Preston Epp launches into action during an ISF session.

All three of these Institute of Saskatchewan Football photos were taken during a training session on March 26.

Along with the pictures from the Institute of Saskatchewan Football, this photo roundup shows the close out of activity on the ski trails. Due to the consistent mix of melting followed by new snowfalls in recent weeks, action at the Indoor Training Centre continues to stay in high gear as winter itself seems intent to work overtime. The photo roundup has images from baseball, football and softball.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Eye on the ball

Catcher Aiden Kilshaw tracks a ball coming into his glove during a Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy training session on March 11 at the Indoor Training Centre. Kilshaw is an elite-level player who was catching pitches off a pitching machine for an extra challenge. He played for the Saskatoon Cubs SPBL Under-18 AAA championship team last season and will return to the Cubs this coming season. Kilshaw will also be an affiliate player with the Berries WCBL team.

Ready, set, go

A group of young skiers take off on a short sprint on the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields on March 15. Child and junior aged skiers were taking part in a host of fun activities organized by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club.

One last Sunday fun day for skiers

The members of the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club came out in droves to enjoy the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields for one last fun Sunday on March 15. The skiers embraced being out on the trails for what would be the last Sunday of the 2025-26 winter season.

Coming right at you

A hitter drives a ball into a net on March 18 at the Indoor Training Centre as part of a session from Keith Mackintosh’s Hitting Series offered via the 222’s Fastpitch program. The athletes in this session focused on perfecting various details in the skill of hitting working off tees.

Fun with fundamentals

A couple of young players work on some infielding fundamentals during a night time Going Yard Baseball Academy session on March 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. During these sessions, Going Yard usually has their child aged player cycling through a group of three or four stations to help build various skills.

Firing a relay to first

A second baseman from the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team fires a relay toss to first base during a training session on March 22 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants fell in a semifinal in last year’s 18U AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Provincial Championship tournament held at Cairns Field and Leakos Field. They will be looking to turn heads again in the upcoming 2026 campaign.

Bunt and run with a smile

A hitter with the Saskatoon Cubs Under-18 AAA team lays down a bunt before taking off on a run with a smile during a practice session on March 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Cubs are continuing to gear up for the upcoming Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League season in search of a second straight provincial title.

Getting those knees high

Running back Lucas Hawley works on getting his knees high running over a series of pads during a drill at an Institute of Saskatchewan Football practice session on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. Hawley is sharpening his skills with the development opportunities offered by the Institute.

Going long

Kacie Semkiw fires a pass deep downfield during a flag football scrimmage during an Institute of Saskatchewan Football practice session on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. While she is regularly a receiver, Semkiw got in repetitions to see what she could do from the quarterback position.

“Himey” coaches them up

Scott “Himey” Hundseth, right, instructs a group of players during an Institute of Saskatchewan Football practice session on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. Hundseth, who was the long-time head coach of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders Football Team and is still the squad’s defensive coordinator, is one of the many high-quality teachers/coaches with the Institute.

Zerr on the run

Noah Zerr takes off on a sprint during a workout session for a group of professional football players on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. An offensive linemen, Zerr was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders 2025 Grey Cup championship winning team. He is also an alum of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team.

Gunning the ball to second

A catcher is all set before firing off a throw to second base on April 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The catcher was taking part in the Erin Cumpstone Catching Series offered by the 222’s Fastpitch program. During this session, catchers were focused on making throws to second base looking to catch base stealers.

Slick toss

A young pitcher delivers an off-speed pitch to home plate during a training session on April 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The pitcher was taking part in the Dean Holoien Pitching Series offered by the 222’s Fastpitch program. Pitchers were working on smoothing out mechanics on various throws.

Here comes the boom

A young player nails a tackling bag during the second day of the Playground To Pros camp, which is run by Saskatoon Minor Football, on April 8 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Easter time camp helps develop skills and fundamentals at the grassroots level.

Coach Ferland gives praise

Guest coach Logan Ferland gives a young player a “five” and praise after the player did well in a drill at the Playground To Pros camp, which is run by Saskatoon Minor Football, on April 8 at the Indoor Training Centre. Ferland is one of the star offensive linemen with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and was one of the many guest coaches at the camp from the professional ranks. He can play every offensive line position and is best known for his work at the centre spot.

Ostertag rediscovers fun in track and field

Standout athlete almost quit sport due to rough couple of years

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Nicole Ostertag helped the Huskies win a Canada West title.

Nicole Ostertag was oh so close to hanging up her track and field spikes for good.

Having built a reputation as being one of the best combined events athletes to come out of Saskatoon in some time, Ostertag went through a 2024 season where she didn’t compete at all due to injuries and illness. She returned to action in early 2025 only to have another setback at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, in April of that year.

“I hurt myself again, and that was really tough for me,” said Ostertag. “We were in California getting some early competitions in, and I took off funny in high jump and injured my knee.

“That was just devastating, and that was when I kind of decided that I had enough. My body seemed to be rejecting it, so I took a long break.”

The 25-year-old returned to the University of Saskatchewan to begin studying in the Master of Physical Therapy program. At that point, Ostertag considered rejoining the Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team.

She built a lot of great memories in her time with the Huskies that included setting the Huskies women’s program record for most points obtained in the pentathlon at 3,996 back in 2020. That record still stands to this day.

Ostertag approached Jason Reindl, who is the head coach of both Huskies women’s and men’s track and field teams, with the notion of making a possible return.

“I was ready to hang up my spikes and end my track career,” said Ostertag, who stands 5-foot-8. “I started my master’s of physical therapy at the university this year.

Nicole Ostertag makes a hurdles practice run on July 7, 2023.

“I realized I still had three years of eligibility left with the Huskies, and I decided I wanted to start going to the track again. I just did hurdles, and I’ve been only training three days a week. I started having fun again, and things have been going really well.”

At the Panda Open held this past February 6 and 7 in Edmonton, Alta., Ostertag broke the Huskies women’s team record in the 60-metre hurdles running in a time of 8.12 seconds. The old mark of 8.15 seconds run back in 2020 was held by one of her best friends in Michelle Harrison, who represented Canada running the women’s 100-metre hurdles in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Harrison’s record came in a gold medal winning race in the 2020 U Sports Track and Field Championships.

On the first day of this year’s Canada West Conference Track and Field Championships on February 20, Ostertag won the conference title in the 60-metre women’s hurdles running the championship final in a Canada West record time of 8.07 seconds edging fifth-year veteran Sienna MacDonald of the U of Calgary Dinos. MacDonald, who won both the Canada West and U Sports titles in the women’s 60-metre hurdles in 2024 and 2025, held the previous Canada West conference record in that event, running a time of 8.08 seconds in a preliminary race earlier in the day.

“It was so much fun, especially this year having Sienna MacDonald from Calgary to compete against,” said Ostertag, who also helped the Huskies women’s team win an eighth straight Canada West Conference team title. “She is a force, and she has been putting down crazy hurdle times for the last couple of years.

“To be able to kind of dethrone her, this is the first time she has been beaten in a while, it was fun. We are really good friends. We keep it light, so just having that energy between us is quite unique.”

On the second day of the U Sports Track and Field Championships on March 6 in Winnipeg, Man., Ostertag again edged MacDonald in championship race of the women’s 60-metre hurdles. Ostertag posted another Huskies program record time of 8.05 seconds to just edge MacDonald at 8.06 seconds. The Huskies women’s team finished second overall in the team points race at U Sports nationals, which wrapped up on March 7.

Nicole Ostertag, right, and Michelle Harrison are great friends.

Ostertag credited Reindl with helping her get back on track on the track. Reindl is well known for his ability to help athletes get healthy and stay healthy and perform their best in big competitions.

When he became the Huskies head coach in 2017, Reindl helped Harrison return to the sport and the Huskies after she became disillusioned having battled numerous injuries. Harrison went on to run better than she ever did piling up numerous accomplishments in making it to the 2024 Summer Olympics.

“I’m in a very similar position as Michelle (Harrison) was all those years ago, where she just decided to go back to school and do track for fun,” said Ostertag. “I came into this season just wanting to have fun, and Jason (Reindl) was fully accepting of that.

“He kept me limited to three practices a week. He would not let me over do it.”

Reindl said the key to bringing back the fun for Ostertag in track and field was to be intelligent with her training, which helps with confidence and shows through in competitions.

“I think it just goes into my, you know, kind of coaching philosophy,” said Reindl. “We are going to make smart decisions and really look at long term high performance.

“If we can stay healthy and get quality work in, there really are no limits. That is what Michelle (Harrison’s) kind of pathway was, and Nicole (Ostertag) is you know in this non-combined events world at the moment doing exceptionally well. We’re just excited to keep on working with her and seeing how far we can take this.”

Reindl said Ostertag has always been an extremely hard worker with a positive attitude. The coach added the star athlete’s day-to-day effort has allowed her to have the success she has had. For the Huskies as a team, Reindl said it has been big to have Ostertag back.

“It is awesome,” said Reindl. “She is such an exceptional athlete.

Nicole Ostertag throw a shot during the 2023 Saskatchewan provincials.

“Her ability to show what elite level high performance is like on the track and in training is just a huge positive for our team and program and our training group. It is just awesome.”

While she ended up with the Canada West record in the 60-metre hurdles, Ostertag entered the season with the desire to break Harrison’s Huskies record in that event.

“That was my goal coming into this year,” said Ostertag. “It kind of played into my motivation to come back.

“I wanted to go get Michelle (Harrison’s) record, because she is such a good friend to me, but we’re always trying to one-up each other. She is like one of the best hurdlers that Canada has seen, so to break her record is pretty darn special.”

Harrison stepped away from track and field after giving birth to a baby daughter named Izzy and starting a family with her husband, Graeme, in June of 2025. Ostertag and Harrison trained together for a number of years since the Track and Field Track opened on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds in 2019, which helped develop their friendship.

In the summer of 2023, their training group included the pride of Borden in Savannah Sutherland, who made the final of the 400-metre women’s hurdles in the 2024 Summer Olympics, and star heptathlete Madisson Lawrence from Winnipeg, Man. That provided a lasting memory for Ostertag.

“It was so much fun just having so many elite women training together, and our coach Jason (Reindl) kept things light and made the hard training days feel a little bit easier,” said Ostertag. “I’m hoping that if Michelle (Harrison) makes her comeback that we can train together once again, because that was pretty special.”

With that said, Ostertag is doing her best to stay in the moment and enjoy the day to day of the sport of track and field. Still, she admits she has had visions of getting back into combined events or maybe pushing for the next Summer Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, California.

Nicole Ostertag, right, enjoys working with Jason Reindl, left.

“The thought has definitely crossed my mind,” said Ostertag. “When I came into this season, school was my priority, and track was just something I was going on the side.

“I did not expect to run this fast, but now that the joy has come back, I am starting to get the itch to start combined events again and maybe make a run at the 2028 Olympics. We will see. Time will tell.”

Photo roundup sees Huskies football put in off-season work

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Riece Kack gains speed during an agility drill.

One of the starting points on the road to the Vanier Cup for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team has been the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Since January of 2020, the Huskies have usually started their off-season training at the Indoor Training Centre often overseen by Ignite Athletics co-owner and strength and conditioning coach Joel Lipinski, who is also the Huskies strength and conditioning coordinator. Workouts often include various drills on the field turf field at the Indoor Training Centre along with a weight lifting session at Ignite on the second floor.

The Huskies will continue their off-season workouts at the Indoor Training Centre usually until the snow melts at their storied home in Griffiths Stadium on the U of Saskatchewan grounds. 

Riece Kack changes direction at a pylon during an agility drill.

During the time the Huskies have started their off-season training at the Indoor Training Centre, they have gone on to win Canada West Conference championships and appear in the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – in 2021, 2022 and 2025.

The lead photo of our photo roundup sees Huskies veteran defensive end Riece Kack take off on an agility drill. The second picture sees Kack turning the corner at a pylon and going off in a new direction on that same drill.

The third shot shows offensive lineman Bennett Bloski, who has been on the Huskies roster for one season, jetting over a series of low hurdles in another drill that helps with speed, agility and strength. Bloski was a member of the St. Joseph High School Guardians 6A provincial championship team in 2024.

Bennett Bloski jets over a series of low hurdles.

All three of those Huskies photos were taken during a workout session on February 12.

Along with the pictures from Huskies football, this photo roundup shows the final stretch of the winter sports season, which saw action at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval close out. The photo roundup has images from baseball, cricket, football, skiing, softball and speed skating.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 20 shots we hope you enjoy.

Getting low for speed

A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club focuses on getting low for a sprint down the straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. Lions skaters know the better they master techniques the faster they will skate on the track.

Powering through a corner

A group of skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club skillfully jets around a corner at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. The Lions get the most out of their training at the Oval during the two-and-a-half months that it is open.

Skater keys on fun and getting better

A skater from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club zips down a straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. The Lions skaters have a blast skating on the Oval along with working on constant improvement.

Hitting warp speed

University of Saskatchewan Huskies running back Aulain Penner gains speed and powers past a pylon during a workout session on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. Penner just completed his first season with the Huskies and has made his share of big plays at Saskatoon Minor Football Field during his playing career before joining the Huskies.

Finding his stride

Braiden DeGroot, who is an offensive lineman heading into his second season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, speeds over a low hurdle’s agility drill with strong form on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. DeGroot will be looking to continue the Huskies tradition of strong play along the offensive line.

Making a high snag look easy

A first baseman from the Saskatoon Cubs Under-18 AAA team sets to haul in a high throw for an out during a training session on February 15 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Cubs will be trying to repeat as Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League champions when their 2026 season begins in the spring.

Ready to let it rip

A young pitcher goes through the wind up to deliver a pitch during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding one of their “pitching factories” on this night as pitchers came out from various age groups looking to improve their skills in delivering various pitches.

Textbook block

A catcher makes a perfect block during a plate block drill during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding one of their “catching factories” on this night. The session focuses on plate blocking.

Contact

A cricket hitter nailed a ball during a practice session in a battling tunnel on February 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. During this session, a pitching machine was being used to give the hitters a different challenge. The balls being bowled towards the batters were coming in hot causing the hitter to respond with lightning fast reactions.

Peak concentration

A fielder settles in to make a catch on a fly ball during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding a lengthy session on this day, and the middle portion of the session focused on defensive work in the field.

Incoming

A bowler from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon unloads a throw during a training session on February 28 in a pitching lane at the Indoor Training Centre. The Bison team members were polishing up their skills for the upcoming outdoor season in the spring.

Right back at you

A hitter from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon drives a ball back in the direction of a bowler during a training session on February 28 in a pitching lane at the Indoor Training Centre. During these practice sessions, hitters work on reacting to tosses, which can see them make hard drives or defensive connections.

Youngsters pack the ski trails

A large group of young skiers swamp the ski trail that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields on March 1. The skiers were taking part in lessons offered by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club. The instructors from the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club do a terrific job teaching the youngsters and have put in outstanding work maintaining the trails.

Oval hosts surge of skaters on final day

March 1 marked the final day for the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval for the 2025-26 winter season. A large number of skaters flocked down to the Oval to enjoy one last public skating session. Lots of fun has been had at the Oval over the years.

Familiar softball faces at the Oval

Public skating sessions at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval attract people who are involved in various sports who want to go out and have fun. The Oval’s final public skating session on March 1 saw softball coach Tracy Frisky skating with her daughter and softball star pitcher Emma Frisky. The two were out enjoying the day and were out with their entire family during that session.

Ready for live at bats

The Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team utilizes a hitting station they set up at the Indoor Training Centre for some live at bats during a practice session on March 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. There were two home plate spots set up at this station, where batters go head-to-head against pitchers like they would in games.

Got it

A young player makes a fly ball catch during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. During this session, the Going Yard instructors were cycling a group of their younger players through a trio of defensive drill stations.

Bullet throw

An infielder fires off a throw to first base during a practice session for the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants players were working on getting their defensive rhythm down.

All in the hand-eye coordination

An outfielder from the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team goes through a bare-handed catch drill during a practice session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The drill is great at improving hand-eye coordination.

Joe Gallagher Field rest in final stretch

Joe Gallagher Field sits at rest under a cover of snow on March 8. In just under two months time, it will be full of softball activity. The conditions might not look like it outside, but the spring season isn’t that far away.