By Gordie Howe Sports
Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| 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.
