By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Boston Bast heads home to score a winning run for the Giants. |
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 46th 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.
