Monday, May 9, 2022

Spring season off and running in Sweet happenings in photos

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Cubs pitcher Brady Wouters fires home a split-finger throw.
The spring season is off and running at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

The sports of baseball, football, softball and track and field took off during the first nine days of May in a big way. The baseball and softball diamonds, Saskatoon Minor Football Field and the Track and Field Track were sites filled with familiar activity.

From league and tournament games in baseball and softball, to academy contests in football and the first Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate track and field meet held since 2019, there was a tonne of action waiting to be captured on photos.

The lead photo of this post sees Saskatoon Cubs pitcher Brady Wouters unloading a split-finger hurl at Cairns Field on May 5 in an under-18 AAA contest in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League.

As April came to a close, the Indoor Training Centre still was a centre of attention for activity. Besides baseball and softball teams gearing up for their season, Saskatoon Minor Football held its annual Playground to Pros camp just after the Easter weekend and some rugby teams stopped in to work on sharpening skills in their sport.

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

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 11 shots we hope you enjoy.

All in technique

A tackler ensures his form is correct as he closes in to take down a ball carrier during a drill at the Playground to Pros camp session on April 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. The camp run by Saskatoon Minor Football held around Easter time helps develop skills and fundamentals at the grassroots level.

Picture perfect Playground to Pros coaches

The coaches for Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground to Pros camp pose for a coaches team picture on the event’s final day on April 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. The coaches included some current CFL players and coaches who have helped a number of minor teams locally in the city.

Looking for an escape

A ball carrier looks to elude a defender during a Wild Oats Rugby Club practice session on April 24 at the Indoor Training Centre. Rugby teams made a few more visits to the Indoor Training Centre in April as their seasons closed in.

Ready to tee off

A hitter from the Going Yard Training Centre is set to unload on a hit during a training session on April 25, 2022. The Going Yard players were getting in some final work before taking the field with various teams for the spring season.

Focused on the open field

After an interception, a player from the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons focuses on jetting downfield on a long return at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on April 25. This game between the Falcons and Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls was one of many that took place that day in the Rush High School Female Flag Football League overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football.

Valkyries great in prime form

Saskatoon Valkyries all-time great running back Sam Matheson breaks a tackle on a run to the end zone at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 1. Matheson and the Valkyries open their WWCFL regular season schedule with a 43-14 win over the Manitoba Fearless.

Up and over

A pole vaulter takes to the sky to clear the bar during a Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate meet on May 4 at the Track and Field Track. That May 4 meet marked the first SSSAD meet held at the track since 2019.

Spectators out in droves

A large group of spectators came out to support the athletes competing at a Saskatoon Secondary School Athletic Directorate meet on May 4 at the Track and Field Track. It was great to see the supporters filling the stands in front of the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre.

Airing it out

Quarterback Quinn Hofer fires a pass deep downfield for Team Gold during a North Sask Academy game on May 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The North Sask Academy is another great program operated by Saskatoon Minor Football.

Raiders pitcher brings the heat

A Saskatoon Raiders pitcher fires in a throw during a game at a Glenn Reeve Fields diamond on May 7 at a game played in a tournament hosted by the Raiders zone. The Raiders zone tournament was the first big softball tournament held at the Complex in the 2022 season.

Drive to impress

A hitter drives the ball into the outfield during a Softball Canada Women’s National Team Identification Camp at Bob Van Impe Stadium on May 9. Bob Van Impe Stadium will be the site of a July 1 doubleheader between Canada’s Women’s National Team and the Czech Republic with game start times set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. locally. The contests are part of the Women’s National Team Celebration Tour that celebrates the team’s historic Olympic Bronze Medal win at the Toyko 2020 Olympic Games. Ticket information and streaming details for the Saskatoon stop of the tour will be announced at a later date on the Women’s National Team Celebration Tour website.