Saturday, April 9, 2022

Sweet happenings in photos sees training for spring heat up

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A hitter drive the ball during a zone baseball tryout session.
Business has picked up at the Indoor Training Centre as the spring season nears.

Over the course of the last month, various baseball and softball groups have been polishing their skills as the Indoor Training Centre in preparation for the upcoming spring season. Team type practices have become more common as clubs start the process of bonding on and off the field for the upcoming campaign.

Over the past week, minor baseball has been holding zone tryouts for younger age group teams for the upcoming season. The lead photo of this post shows a batter showing off his swing at a tryout session on Tuesday, April 5.

We got to see off players who headed down to the United States continuing careers in professional baseball. We hope they bring back great stories to tell, when they return home usually in early November.

Football squads like the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team continued with preparations for their seasons, so they can hit the ground running in training camps in August.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo round ups.

These photos 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 10 shots we hope you enjoy.

Final throwing day for Albers

Veteran left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers took part in one last throwing session at the Indoor Training Centre on March 10 before departing to the United States. He threw last year in AAA baseball and the MLB ranks. He signed minor league contract with the MLB’s Seattle Mariners about 11 days later.

Set for the perfect bunt

A hitter squares up for a perfect bunt at a Saskatoon Hustlers softball program training session on March 15. The Hustlers were refining various skills at the plate during this session.

Driving a hot grounder to the outfield

The same Saskatoon Hustlers hitter that was squaring up to bunt in the previous photo shows she can drive hot shots into the outfield as well during a training session on March 15. The Hustlers hitters want to be able to give multiple looks from the plate when it comes time to play regular season games.

Laser focused throw

A Saskatoon Lasers pitcher fires home a pitch during a training session on March 17. The pitcher was throwing during a team practice with the Lasers squad she will be playing with this coming season.

Tearing up the base paths

A base runner hits top flight rounding first to get to second base during a Saskatoon Royals female baseball program evaluations session on March 17. The Royals were evaluating players in numerous age groups on this day.

Off to the races

Two members of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team take off in a chase drill during a conditioning workout session on March 22 overseen by Ignite Athletes. In football, the work put in during the off-season is key to having success during the season itself.

Mastering the art of the slap bunt

A member of the Saskatoon Cubs baseball program lays down a slap bunt during a hitting focused practice on March 24. The Cubs and other baseball teams will soon be taking part in practices and games at Leakos Field and Cairns Field.

Securing a grounder

A member of the Saskatoon Giants baseball program sets to secure a ground ball during a fielding focused practice on March 24. Baseball players do repetitive fielding drills so the skills become second nature during game time.

Bringing the heat for a live at bat

A hurler follows through with a pitch during a live at bat season run by the Going Yard Training Centre on March 31. On top of throwing to an actual hitter, Going Yard sets up a full infield for these sessions.

Throwing to impress

A young hurler fires off a pitch during a minor baseball zone tryouts session on April 5. The session saw players put through numerous drills in order to be evaluated on their various skills when it comes to playing the game.