By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Oakland Flodell, right, meets some young baseball players. |
On May 28,
the Western Canadian Baseball League made its return to Saskatoon’s fabled
baseball park when the first-year Saskatoon Berries held their home opener
against the Regina Red Sox, who have traditionally been one of the WCBL’s best
teams. A sellout crowd of 2,200 spectators packed the park to take in great
baseball action and enjoy a number of cool promotions that went on throughout
the contest.
The concessions had unique menu options and there was a special beverage choice tailored to Saskatoon’s new baseball team. Those that are young or young at heart also enjoyed the upbeat nature of team mascot Barry the Bear.
It seemed a
natural fit that the lead items for this latest Howe Happenings photo roundup came
from the Berries first home game in team history.
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| Ryan Olchoway unloads a pitch to home plate. |
The second
photo of the roundup sees Berries pitcher Ryan Olchoway firing a toss to a
batter. Olchoway ultimately took the loss on the mound.
The third photo of the roundup comes post-game with a trio fans getting their photo taken with mascot Barry at home plate. The Berries trailed 5-4 heading into the ninth inning before falling 8-4 that night, but they make their games at Cairns Field the place to be in Saskatoon over the spring and summer months.
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| A trio of fans are pictured with Berries mascot Barry the Bear. |
The grounds have hosted the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Green and White
Day, Saskatoon Valkyries football, the SHSAA’s Track and Field Provincial
Championships and all sorts of baseball and softball action.
The pictures in this photo roundup 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 19 shots we hope you enjoy.
Set to let it rip
Fun with the fans
Members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders visit with Rider Nation after going through scrimmage and modified game type drills during the team’s Green and White Day at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 18. The Roughriders use the event as a way to connect with their fans.
Goal-line stretch
Saskatoon Valkyries receiver Reed Thorstad battles through a couple of Regina Riot defenders to break the plane of the goal-line for a touchdown during a WWCFL regular season contest at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 18. The Valkyries downed the Riot 41-7 on this night.
Get that out of here
The Saskatoon Valkyries zone defence rejects a Regina Riot pass attempt in a WWCFL regular season game at Saskatoon Minor Football field on May 18. Defending on the play were Jaimyn Mantyka (#26), Skyler Smith (#23) and Kaylin O’Neill. The Saskatoon side claimed a 41-7 victory on the night.
Hot liner
A hitter drives a hot liner to the outfield at Glenn Reeve Field #3 on May 19 during the identification camp for Softball Canada’s Under-18 Women’s National Team. The camp attracted a healthy gathering of players from all over.
Bringing the heat
A Saskatoon Hustlers pitcher unloads a pitch at Glenn Reeve Field #7 on May 26 during game action at the SMSL’s President’s Tournament. The tourney drew in numerous teams for action in U13 A, U15 A, U17 A and U19 A age groups.
A Berrie good sight
A look at a packed Cairns Field for the Saskatoon Berries first WCBL home game on May 28. A sellout crowd of 2,200 spectators saw the Berries fall to the visiting Regina Red Sox 8-4.
Grateful first pitch honour
Bryan Kosteroski, our Board of Directors Chair, and Johnny Marciniuk, our Operations Manager, took part in throwing the ceremonial first pitches for the Saskatoon Berries first home game on May 28 at Cairns Field. Kosteroski, who is on the left, and Marciniuk, who is on the right, were honoured to take part in the Berries opening game festivities.
Excited for the opener
One Saskatoon Berries fan decided to rise above the crowd in showing his excitement for the team’s WCBL home opener on May 28 at Cairns Field. A sellout crowd of 2,200 spectators came out to this contest.
Beauty big screen
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Going for broke
Alaina Reid of Bedford Road Collegiate and Morgan McCleary of St. Joseph High School fly over their hurdles during a race at the Track and Field Track on May 30 during action at the SSSAD’s Bob Adams City Championships for track and field. Athletes from all over the city put in a top effort in competing for the chance to go to the SHSAA’s Track and Field Provincial Championships.
Cornered
A shifty ball carrier from a Falcons team gets trapped by a trio of defenders from a Bengals team during NFL 5on5 Youth Flag Football action on June 1 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The NFL 5on5 Youth Flag Football program is one of many great programs run by Saskatoon Minor Football.
Got it!
A Saskatoon Phantoms infielder settles under an infield fly to secure an out at Joe Gallagher Field on June 1 in action at the Saskatoon Hustlers Softball Tournament. The softball diamonds at the Complex host many local tournaments as well as two or three nationals during the annual spring and summer seasons.
Off to the races
Receiver Gage Prodaehl carried the ball on a jet sweep for Team Gold in Saskatoon Minor Football’s Varsity Academy Final on June 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Prodaehl helped Team Gold down Team Green 24-10.
Let the celebration begin
Players from Team Gold raise the championship trophy after winning Saskatoon Minor Football’s Varsity Academy Final on June 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Team Gold downed Team Green 24-10 for the championship in a game that was played in tough windy conditions.
Let it fly
Maddox Thibodeau launches a shot during shot put junior boy’s tetrathlon action on June 7 at the SHSAA Track and Field Provincial Championships held at the Track and Field Track. When the SHSAA Track and Field Provincial Championships are hosted at the Complex, it makes for usually the busiest days of the year for the Track and Field Track and the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre.
Taking flight
Happy Oluwasikun flies over a hurdle during the senior girls’ 80-metre hurdles championship race on June 7 at the SHSAA Track and Field Provincial Championships held at the Track and Field Track. Oluwasikun captured the gold medal winning the race in a time of 12.21 seconds.
Up and over
Kaileah Ulmer-Lutudromu lifts her way over the bar in the intermediate girls’ high jump on June 8 at the SHSAA Track and Field Provincial Championships held at the Track and Field Track. She just missed the medals finishing in fourth place as one of competition’s younger competitors.
Sweet victory
Will Sawchuk raises his hands in victory after taking the intermediate boys’ 3,000-metre race on June 8 at the SHSAA Track and Field Provincial Championships held at the Track and Field Track. He completed the run in a time of nine minutes and 51.72 seconds.
