Cubs’ Stromberg packs a punch with small size

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Osher Stromberg works behind the plate as the Cubs catcher.

Osher Stromberg said being small has its advantages when it comes to playing baseball.

“Really how I see it, I get a lot of walks because of it,” said Stromberg with a chuckle. “It really helps me, if anything.”

The 16-year-old second-year catcher with the Saskatoon Cubs baseball team stands 5-foot-4 and weighs 130 pounds. He is the smallest player in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s under-18 AAA level. Due to standing only 5-foot-4, opposing pitchers have a harder time hitting the strike zone when Stromberg is at the plate helping his on base percentage.

With that noted, Cubs assistant coach Jordan Frey said people who see the Cubs play quickly find out Stromberg is a good player and one of the top catchers at the under-18 AAA level in Saskatchewan.

“I think his game calling is probably one of the best in the league,” said Frey. “Obviously, he is not the biggest guy behind the plate, but he has a really good arm.

“He is able to get outs for us. He is a leader. He blocks the balls back there no matter what.

“We can play him at catcher when it is plus-35 out for two games, and he doesn’t complain. He puts the gear on, and he gives it 110 per cent every day.”

Frey said the Cubs coaches were always excited about bringing Stromberg to the Cubs believing they were going to get a good player. The bench boss added the squad had to use some misdirection in order to bring him to the team.

Osher Stromberg, left, chats with pitcher Jared Tameling.

In the Saskatoon Zone for minor baseball, players entering their 15-year-old seasons going to the under-18 AAA level are divided between the city’s three teams in the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Giants via a draft. Players go though a tryout process including skill session evaluations and playing in exhibition games amongst the group trying out.

The tryout process usually occurs in September for the upcoming season in the next calendar year. After the September tryout process is held, the teams conduct a draft to distribute players.

Frey said Stromberg stood out, but the Cubs coaches put up a façade about being worried about Stromberg’s small size when they crossed paths with the coaches of the Diamondbacks and Giants. The Cubs coaches hoped that might create some doubt among the Diamondbacks and Giants coaches when it came to picking Stromberg, which would allow the Cubs to land him.

“That was kind of way we got him,” said Frey. “We had to fib a little bit and tell other teams he was a little small, and we were not sure how he will be.

“That was the way we got him was by making sure that other teams didn’t want him height wise. I think it has paid off for us.”

Stromberg said he became interested in playing baseball around age nine after his grandpa took him to a fastpitch softball tournament. He wanted to play the type of game where you used a bat to hit the ball, and it stuck with him how players in both sports were pumped to play.

“I just liked how everyone was so excited about it and really got amped up in the game,” said Stromberg.

Stromberg added there was another softball influence that drew him into becoming a catcher in baseball.

Osher Stromberg sets up for an at bat with the Cubs.

“At first, I was scared of the ball,” said Stromberg. “My mom told me she was a catcher when she played softball, so that is kind of what got me into that.”

Last season, Stromberg lived through a dream rookie campaign with the Cubs. The Cubs finished first overall in the SPBL standings with a 24-6 record and won the SPBL championship tournament hosted at Cairns and Leakos Fields.

In the tournament’s championship game played on July 24, 2022 at Cairns Field, the Cubs downed the Muenster-based East Central Red Sox 12-6 in front of about 1,000 spectators.

“That was pretty cool having everyone cheering for us, because we were the hometown team,” said Stromberg. “It was fun.”

The Cubs advanced to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals that were held in Grande Prairie, Alta., from August 18 to 21, 2022. They finished with a 4-2 overall record falling in the event’s bronze medal game 5-4 in extra innings to the Nanaimo, B.C., based Mid Island Pirates.

Overall, Stromberg couldn’t ask for a better experience for his first season with the Cubs.

“It is awesome,” said Stromberg. “I love all the players.

“We all blend really well together. The coaches are really into it. It is just all-around fun times.

“That was pretty cool being a part of the team that goes to nationals. Everyone was talking about it. To be able to be a part of that was pretty cool.”

This season Stromberg has called games well for his pitchers, made the throw to second base consistently to get base stealers out, stroked the ball well at the plate and run the base paths with conviction. He said it is more serious being a catcher at the under-18 AAA level compared to being a catcher in younger age groups.

Osher Stromberg looks for an opening to get a steal.

“At younger levels, they say anyone can be a catcher, but at this level, you really can’t,” said Stromberg, who will be going into his Grade 12 school year in the fall at Evan Hardy Collegiate. “You have to be able to focus and just really know what you are doing back there.”

When it comes calling games behind the plate, Stromberg said one of the big keys is communicating with the pitchers who take the mound to get a sense of where they are at that day.

“It is just seeing how the pitcher is feeling and what they can throw and what is good,” said Stromberg, who trains with Going Yard Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex during the off-season. “(It is seeing) the hitters and how they hit certain pitches and what the count is.

“There are lots of factors that go into that.”

This season the Cubs have built a 16-5 record and are one of five teams in a dogfight for first place. The SPBL Under-18 AAA championship tournament will be held once again at Cairns and Leakos Fields from July 28 to 30. The winner of that event advances to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals, which will be held August 17 to 20 in Fort McMurray, Alta. 

As the season hits its stretch run, Frey said Stromberg will play a big part in how the Cubs finish out.

“It is going to be huge just the part with Osher catching,” said Frey, who added the Cubs will also use Jared Tameling at catcher too in provincials. “It is tough going down the stretch when it gets hot, and you’re catching day in and day out.

“It is nice that we have two catchers that we can use. You usually need two or three to get through a provincial weekend. He (Stromberg) works with all our pitchers.

“He is great with them. He is just a natural born leader. It is something that if he didn’t have it would put us behind the eight-ball a little bit.”

Osher Stromberg, centre, and the Cubs celebrate a win.

Stromberg is looking forward to playing out the stretch run and the SPBL championship tournament at home. He believes a few more good memories can be made.

“As a team, we’ve been playing good,” said Stromberg. “We’ve had a little less on the bats than last year, but defensively we’ve been great.

“Pitching wise, we’ve been great. We’re looking forward to the rest of it. I’m so excited.

“I’m ready to play in that provincial ball and having the fans in it and being really just into games. There is lots of tension in those games (last year). It is going to be great.”

Softball all about family for McCullough

Veteran coach heads to Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Adrianne Vangool, left, and Dave McCullough shake hands.

For Dave McCullough, softball is about family.

He got into the sport coaching his sons Devon and Darren and daughter Brielle (McCullough) Frohaug. While he was coaching, the players on the teams he coached and their families became like family.

With those connections, McCullough’s teams have won a total of 27 provincial championships over 22 years. During his time involved with softball, going into any type of sports hall of fame was never a thought that crossed McCullough’s mind.

That all changed on June 14, when the 2023 class for the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame was announced at a press conference at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. McCullough was named as part of the 2023 class in the builders’ category for his contributions to the sport of softball as a coach and administrator.

“When I found out about being inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame, I was speechless,” said McCullough. “Being nominated was an accomplishment but being accepted was overwhelming.

“(It is an) unbelievable feeling going into the Hall and being in there with some of the best athletes and builders is a true honor.”

McCullough will be joined in the 2023 class by two other inductees in the builders’ category in Derek Bloski for hockey and softball and Ivan Tam in athletics. Entering the Hall in the athletes category are Jeff Adamson in wrestling, Kelly Parker in Soccer, Kathy (Rollo) Seaman in diving, Adrianne Vangool in athletics and Heather Witzel in basketball.

Brielle (McCullough) Frohaug hits a homer for the G-Force in 2021.

The Saskatoon Outlaws softball teams that won Canadian Junior Women’s Championships in 2008, 2010 and 2011 will be going into the Hall in the team category. The WHL’s Saskatoon Blades were honoured by the Hall as the Sports Organization of the Year. The induction ceremonies will be held in the evening on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Prairieland Park.

“It feels pretty good to be inducted with the group that is being induct this year,” said McCullough. “The Outlaws were an outstanding ladies team that I had the opportunity to coach against in senior ladies Div. 1 ball when the Saskatoon G-Force moved up from minor to the ladies league.

“They (the Outlaws) were a great bunch of ladies with a huge amount of talent.”

McCullough said the biggest blessing he got in softball was the fact he was able to coach his kids to this very day. Devon and Darren play on the Saskatoon Angels senior men’s team, while Brielle suits up for the Saskatoon G-Force senior women’s team.

“To have coached all my kids has been the opportunity any father could wish for,” said McCullough. “That feeling is still going on as I am still coaching both my daughter’s team the G-Force and the Saskatoon Angels.

Devon McCullough in 2015. (Photo by Louis Christ)

“The best part is they love the game of softball as much as I do.”

While McCullough has made many great memories with sport, his most memorable moment came in 2013, when he served as an assistant coach for Brielle’s Saskatoon Scotiabank Selects midget girls’ team. The Selects made the Canadian Midget Girls’ Championship Tournament held in Charlottetown, P.E.I., in August of 2013.

The Selects advanced to the championship game, where they downed the White Rock Renegades from B.C. 2-1. Brielle scored on a bases loaded walk in the top of first inning. In the top of the sixth inning, Brielle drove in the winning run nailing a triple into the left centre-field gap to score Ally Gallant from first base.

The Selects became the first team from Saskatoon to win a midget girls’ national title. The core of that squad makes up the current G-Force senior women’s team.

“My most rememberable memory would be winning Canadians with the Selects for the first time and beating White Rock from B.C. in Prince Edward Island,” said McCullough. “It was an amazing feeling as it was the first time a midget girls’ team from Saskatoon had won it.”

The core group from that Selects team would win a Canadian Junior Women’s Championship as the Saskatoon Co-Op G-Force in 2016, and McCullough was an assistant coach with that squad. Last year, McCullough was the head coach of the G-Force as they won Softball Saskatchewan’s Women’s A Provincial Championship at Joe Gallagher Field. The G-Force slipped past the Carnduff Southeast Steelers 1-0.

“Winning never gets old,” said McCullough reflecting on last year’s provincial title win by the G-Force. “It gets better each time you go into a big contest and your team digs down and gives everything they have and leaves it on the field.

“It is amazing to watch. I have been blessed to have coached on both the men’s and women’s teams extremely talented athletes that never say never. (They) just get on the train and let’s ride.”

The G-Force pictured after winning a provincial title in 2022.

Another one of his best memories from the sport came from being a proud spectator dad. In 2015, Saskatoon hosted the International Softball Federation Men’s World Championship tournament, and Devon was a 24-year-old pitcher on the host Canadian national team side.

Canada made the event’s championship game taking on powerhouse and defending champion New Zealand at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Devon entered that contest in the top of the third inning with Canada trailing 4-0.

He pitched a gem the rest of the way allowing Canada to rally for a 10-5 victory. That contest became one of the signature moments in the history of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

“Man, what a feeling to see your son come in the 3rd inning and pitch the team to victory and the gold medal at the world championships,” said McCullough. “It was a moment in my life I will never forget with 7,500 fans yelling ‘Devo, Devo.’

“It’s an absolute rush and for him to strike out some of the best batters was such a great way to rap up the tournament.”

While the upcoming Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame induction has helped McCullough reflect on his career in softball, he still expects to make more memories in the sport.

Part of the 2023 Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame class with Dave McCullough.

“My family is very involved in the sport of softball, and my future all depends on when my drive for the game runs out, which could be never,” said McCullough. “As I have now taken on the 2025 Canada games team for Sask., it looks like I am going to be around for a while yet.

“The game of softball has been my passion and a game that would be hard to say goodbye to. For now, my future is up in the air and I will take each year step by step.”

Summer days make great days for photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Boston Bast heads home to score a winning run for the Giants.

Summer days make great days for photos on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

The sports of baseball and softball are either in the home stretch of regular season play or at the start of post-season play. The focus of the players on the baseball and softball diamonds sharpens up as the games become more and more important.

Our lead photo comes from a walk-off win by the Saskatoon Giants on July 3 at Cairns Field in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s Under-18 AAA division. In the picture, Giants base runner Boston Bast throws up a number one signal as he nears home plate to score the winning run in a 9-8 victory over the Regina Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack rebounded to take the second game of the set 12-4. As the rest of July progresses, the Giants will be battling for one of the league’s final post-season spots, while the Wolfpack will try to make a charge in the dogfight that is shaping up for first place.

The SPBL Under-18 AAA Provincial Championship Tournament will be hosted on our grounds from July 28 to 30 at Cairns Field and Leakos Field.

The Saskatoon Valkyries played their 2023 WWCFL campaign to a conclusion winning the Prairie Conference final on June 18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field before moving on to win the WWCFL title game on June 24 at Griffiths Stadium at the University of Saskatchewan. SMF Field was also filled from action from various flag leagues.

Athletes continue to train at the Track and Field Track for various meets that are coming up in the summer months. The Saskatchewan Track and Field Championships presented by the Bob Adams Foundation will be hosted on our grounds from July 14 to 16 at the Track and Field Track.

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.

Getting a grip

Our Track and Field Track had a little different look to it for one weekend in June. The German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada Prairie Regionals and Prairies Region IGP Championship were held there from June 9 to 11. Some of the aspects the German Shepherds were judged in included the skills of tracking, obedience and protection. In this picture taken on June 10, a German Shepherd gets a hold of a person who is standing in as a bad guy.

Alert sprint

A German Shepherd takes off on an alert sprint on June 10 at the Track and Field Track. The German Shepherd was taking part in the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada Prairie Regionals and Prairies Region IGP Championship. In this picture, the German Shepherd pictured was in action in a tracking contest.

Heading to the Hall of Fame

The 2023 class was announced for the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame on June 14 at a press conference held in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. In this photo, famed University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team pole vaulter Adrianne Vangool, left, shakes hands with Derek Bloski, who is a builder in hockey and softball. Next to Bloski is long time softball coach Dave McCullough, and next to McCullough is long time track and field coach Ivan Tam. The induction ceremonies will be held in the evening on November 4 at Prairieland Park.

Trapped

A Saskatoon Padres base runner gets caught in a run down by the Prince Albert Astros during action at the Saskatoon Padres 46^th Annual Fastpitch Tournament on June 16 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The event is one of many softball tournaments that happen on our diamonds on an annual basis.

Sure hands

A receiver makes a catch during action in Saskatoon Minor Football’s NFL Youth Flag League on June 17 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The NFL Youth Flag league is one of many programs Saskatoon Minor Football has for youngsters.

Takedown

Saskatoon Valkyries star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale runs down Regina Riot star receiver Shannelle Rioux during the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference final held on June 18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Valkyries won that encounter 19-9 with Dale making 10.5 total tackles.

Working through traffic

Saskatoon Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright tries to work her way through a trio of Regina Riot defenders during the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference final held on June 18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wright had a huge game in the Valkyries 19-9 win. She carried the ball 23 times for 131 yards and scored two touchdowns. She also caught three passes for 45 yards.

Up and over

An athlete with the Saskatoon Track Club leaps a hurdle running a timed 400-metre hurdles race during a training session on June 29 at the Track and Field Track. The Saskatchewan Track and Field Championships presented by the Bob Adams Foundation will be held at the Track and Field Track from July 14 to 16.

Firing it in there

A pitcher with the Prairie Heat fires off a pitch during Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association contest on June 29 at Glenn Reeve Field #5. SASA league play is a staple on our grounds during the spring and summer months.

Grand slam celey

Saskatoon Cubs centre-fielder Colin Plain, left, celebrates hitting a grand slam after reaching home plate during a first game of a SPBL Under-18 AAA doubleheader against the Zone 7 Sun Devils on July 1 at Cairns Field. The Cubs took that contest 13-3, which ended after six innings due to the mercy rule.

Let it rip

Saskatoon Cubs pitcher Jared Tameling rips a pitch to home plate during the second game of an SPBL Under-18 AAA doubleheader against the Zone 7 Sun Devils on July 1 at Cairns Field. The Cubs took that contest 13-1, which ended after five innings due to the mercy rule.

Special delivery

A Saskatoon Phantoms pitcher winds up for a pitch on July 6 during a game from Glenn Reeve Field #7 that was part of Softball Saskatchewan’s Under-13B Provincial Championship Tournament. It is always a joy to host multiple Softball Saskatchewan provincials on our grounds on an annual basis.

Focused determination

Michelle Harrison works on getting better during a training session at the Track and Field Track on July 7. Harrison won the Canadian 100-metre hurdles women’s title in 2021 and 2022. She has been competing at meets all over the world throughout May and June.

The NCAA champ is here

Savannah Sutherland was back training at the Track and Field Track on July 7 having recently returned from Ann Arbor, Michigan. On June 10, Sutherland won the NCAA’s 400-metre women’s hurdles title running for the University of Michigan Wolverines at age 19. We believe she has lots more memorable moments coming in her track and field career.