Duo has fond memories hosting
Canadians with Pride in 2023
By Darren
Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Will Major sets to make a throw to first for the Jacks. |
Back in 2023, the products of Delisle, a town located about 43 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon, suited up with the Delisle Pride at the U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship held on the Complex grounds mainly at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The event wrapped up in early August of that year, and the Pride were the host team for that tourney.
At that
tournament, the Pride went on a run to the championship game, where they fell
11-1 to the Tavistock Merchants. As the Pride went on their run and piled up
the wins, they drew larger and larger crowds for their games at Bob Van Impe
Stadium.
Now playing
for the Saskatoon Jacks, the Majors want to make similar and better memories
when the Complex hosts the Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch
Championship this coming August 26 to 30. The Jacks are the host squad for the
Men’s side of that event.
Max, who is
the younger brother at age 22, is still playing for the Pride U23 team as well.
Right before the Men’s and Master Men’s event, he will suit up for the Pride at
the U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship that runs at the Complex this
coming August 22 to 26.
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| Max Major sets to make a throw to second base for the Jacks. |
“That was
awesome,” said Will, who is a 24-year-old second baseman. “It was probably the
most (fans) I’ve ever been fortunate enough to play in front of.
“It was a
great turnout. We’re really hoping to get something similar to that this year
being back at home. Yeah, that was a special one.
“That is
one I wish I could relive again for sure.”
“It felt
like each game we kept getting more people and more people and more people were
buying in,” said Max, who is a catcher.
“We actually had awesome crowds, and it kind of makes the game so easy
when you’ve got a few hundred or a few thousand people some nights actually
cheering on your back.
“I know in
softball we don’t get that a lot anymore. It is kind of a small-town, local
game now. It is so enjoyable, and we’re so pumped to have it (nationals) at
home, because we know that we’re going to have good crowds and a ton of
support.”
The Majors
started playing with the Jacks in 2024 and suited up for the Men’s and Master Men’s
Canadian Fast Pitch Championship that ran at the Complex from August 28 to
September 1 of that year. The Jacks went 3-3 in the preliminary round of the
Men’s side of the event and lost their first game in the playoff round to be
eliminated from the tourney.
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| Will Major sets for an at bat with the Jacks. |
At that
tourney, the Jacks looked poised to prevent the defending Canadian Men’s
champion in the Galway Hitmen from St. John’s, Newfoundland, from extending
their dynasty. Saskatoon posted victories of 3-2 and 5-1 against the St. John’s
side in their first two meetings.
The Jacks
made the championship final only to drop a 2-1 heartbreaker to the Hitmen. With
the win, the Hitmen would lay claim to winning 10 out of the last 12 Canadian
Men’s titles, which included the squad being named the 3 Cheer Pub for their
first three victories.
Following
that event, the Majors would play for Softball Canada’s U23 Men’s National Team
at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americans U23 Men’s Pan
American Championship that ran in September of 2025 in Santa Rosa (La Pampa),
Argentina. They are both currently part of the Athlete Pool for Softball
Canada’s Men’s National Team.
The
experience of 2025 and the silver medal finish at nationals with the Jacks has
increased the anticipation for the upcoming Men’s nationals this year at home.
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| Max Major rounds the bases for the Jacks. |
“We were
playing some of the best ball I think we’ve ever played as a team collectively.
We did get them (the Hitmen) twice, but at the end of the day, they got us when
it mattered. It is unfortunate, but hopefully, we’ll see them again this year.
“They’re a
great team. That is one that a lot of us wish we could have back for sure. They
are a true dynasty those guys though.”
“We
obviously know that (the Hitmen) is one of the best teams around for a reason,”
said Max, who stands 6-feet and weighs 165 pounds. “They’re always in those
final three or usually winning it.
“To get
them twice was a huge boost for our team, but we knew going into that final
that team wasn’t going to go away. All three games were close. We wouldn’t have
it any other way.
“Hopefully, we get to play them again this year and can have another good run in with them.”
The Majors have had the chance to play together on the same team for the last seven years. Both said a big highlight in their careers was playing together for Canada’s U23 squad and winning a silver medal at the WBSC Americans Pan American Championship that ran September of last year.
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| Will Major fields a ground ball at second for the Jacks. |
While Max
will play for the Pride at U23 Canadians once again, both brothers would love
to win that elusive national title gold medal together at the upcoming Men’s
Canadians on their home stomping grounds.
“It is
incredibly exciting,” said Will. “If there was ever a time to get one, this
would be awfully special.
“I think
we’ve got a great team going into it this year, so hopefully, things go our
way. It is going to be really exciting. Hopefully, we get great turnouts to all
the games.
“It is a
big tourney this year. I think there are quite a few teams in it this year
compared to years past, so hopefully, it all works out.”
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| Max Major will play in two softball nationals in August. |
“Our
expectation is to, obviously, be playing Sunday afternoon (for the
championship). That is what every team’s expectation is going there, but I
think we’re one of the few teams that has a realistic opportunity.”
