By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Luchi Bondi (#34) jets to home for the Chiefs. |
The Super
Series was a six-team tournament that include the Saskatoon Angels, Saskatoon
Jacks, Softball Canada’s National Men’s Team, New York Gremlins, New Zealand
Black Sox and Hill United Chiefs from Brantford, Ont. It ran from July 4 to 7
at BVI and was warmly received by the sizable number of
spectators that turned out.
In the championship final played on the afternoon on July 7, the Chiefs downed the Black Sox 7-1 after getting off to a rocket start scoring four runs in the top of the first on a grand slam by Lenny Villalvazo.
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| Devon McCullough sets to fire a pitch to home plate for the Angels. |
With that
tournament going on, it only made sense that the lead items for this latest
Howe Happenings photo roundup came from this event.
Our lead photo sees Chiefs utility player Luchi Bondi being waved home to score a run in the final inning of the championship contest. Both the Chiefs and the Black Sox finished the event with 5-1 overall records with the Black Sox having prevailed over the Chiefs earlier in the tournament.
The second
photo of the roundup sees Angels pitcher Devon McCullough in the action of
delivering a pitch in the tournament’s opening game on July 4 against the
Jacks. McCullough, who has thrown his share of memorable contests at BVI,
showed he is still at the top of his game as the Angels blanked the Jacks 4-0
after eight innings.
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| Cole Evans fires a throw to first base for an out for the Black Sox. |
Along with
images from the Super Series, July’s photo roundup is packed with pictures from
baseball, football and softball.
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 13 shots we hope you enjoy.
Heading to the Hall of Fame
On the right, members of the Lee Morrison Curling Rink from 2009 that won the Canadian masters 60 and older national championship shake hands with other members of the announced 2024 class to enter the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame. The announcement press conference to reveal the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame’s latest class was held on June 13 at the main hall in the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. The official induction dinner for the Hall of Fame class will be held November 2 at Prairieland Park.
Perfectly placed drive
A
hitter from a Twin City Angels team nails a smart drive into the outfield at Glenn Reeve Field #5 during a game at the Murphy’s U11 Softball
Super Series Tournament on June 15. The
Murphy’s tourney allowed young players to gain confidence making plays.
Off to the races
Saskatoon Valkyries star receiver Haley Girolami jets to the end zone making a 14-yard touchdown catch early in the second quarter of a WWCFL semifinal contest held on June 16 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Girolami caught seven passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns as the Valkyries downed the Manitoba Fearless 48-14.
Final Valkyries home cheer for
2024
The Saskatoon Valkyries do a post-game cheer on June 16 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field after downing the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal contest. That win would be the last home outing for the Valkyries in the 2024 campaign. The Valkyries traveled to Regina on June 23 and beat the host Riot 36-21 in the WWCFL Championship Game.
“Air Lumeka”
Clovis Lumeka fires a perfect Warren Moon type pass during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action on June 19 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Lumeka was once a star defensive back with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team having played his final season of eligibility in 2021. On this day, he showed off his offensive skill.
Alert throw
Saskatoon Diamondbacks catcher Carter Simms got to take part in a rare double-play in Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Under-18 AAA action against the Saskatoon Cubs on June 30 at Cairns Field. With the bases loaded, a Cubs hitter hit a grounder to the Diamondbacks pitcher. Simms received a throw back to the plate from the pitcher to get the out at home. This picture shows Simms making a throw to first to get the second out of the double-play.
How low can you go?
One of the fans at Cairns Field for the Saskatoon Berries WCBL doubleheader on July 1 got to take part in a limbo contest during the club’s second game of the day. The promo contest was part of the fun of Berries games on Canada Day.
Team Canada group gathering
Players and coaches from Softball Canada’s Men’s National Team gather outside the team’s dugout after giving up four runs in the top of the seventh inning to the New Zealand Black Sox during play at the Super 8 Men’s International Softball Super Series on July 5 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. After the team chat, Team Canada wasn’t able to pull off a rally in the bottom of the seventh falling 7-3 in the round robin contest.
Superb toss from short
Saskatoon Berries shortstop Bryce Campbell slings the ball to first base for an out during a WCBL game against the Weyburn Beavers on July 6 at Cairns Field. Thanks to some strong defence the Berries pulled out a 6-3 victory on this night.
Plate block
United Hill Chiefs catcher Josh McGovern makes a plate block on a rare slightly off pitch during the championship game of the Super 8 Men’s International Softball Super Series on July 7 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Chiefs would down the New Zealand Black Sox 7-1 in the title game.
Black Sox pose for farewell photo
The New Zealand Black Sox pose with the runner-up trophy after falling in the final of the Super 8 Men’s International Softball Super Series on July 7 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Black Sox were fan favourites during the four days the tournament ran.
Chiefs on top of the hill
The United Hill Chiefs pose with the championship trophy after winning the final of the Super 8 Men’s International Softball Super Series on July 7 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Chiefs played at an elite level in all six of their tournament games.
Championship finish for Lasers
The Saskatoon Lasers pose for the traditional team picture after they won Softball Saskatchewan’s Under-11 A Girls’ North Provincials. They downed the Prince Albert Aces 10-5 in the championship final to take the title on July 7 at Joe Gallagher Field.
