By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Olivia Prokopchuk is one of Saskatoon’s best power hitters. |
The 17-year-old power hitter and first base infielder credits the fall and winter season travel team program for creating unique opportunities for her in the sport of softball. She always loved softball from an early age after her father, Steve Prokopchuk, convinced her to give the sport a try, and the 222’s would come into her life a handful of years later.
“Honesty, I think my dad just kind of was like, “Oh, do you want to try T-ball one day?’” said Prokopchuk reflecting on her start. “I was like, ‘Yeah, for sure.’
“I kind of just started, and I instantly liked it. I got to the point where I quit all my other sports and started to become more competitive in softball. I started out as a pitcher for the 222’s.
“I kind of just discovered that I liked hitting and kind of passed on the pitching aspect. Here I am now, and I’m a hitter and an infielder.”
Prokopchuk used to play hockey, soccer and did some horseback along with softball while growing up. At around age 11 turning 12, Prokopchuk focused on softball as her lone sport, and she joined up with the 222’s program.
“I like getting to meet new people and having new teammates,” said Prokopchuk, who stands 5-foot-7. “I think for me the 222’s brought a lot of friendships that I wouldn’t have had now.
“The coaches and everyone that I got to meet to help me further my career were really nice.”
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| Olivia Prokopchuk drives a ball into the net. |
She is also slated to play for Team Saskatchewan at the 2025 Canada Summer Games that run this coming August 8 to 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Prokopchuk said the 222’s, who are based out of the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds, had a big impact on her in being able to get the chance to play softball at the post-secondary level and play in the Canada Summer games.
“I definitely learned a lot with them,” said Prokopchuk. “They definitely were one of the biggest reasons as to why I am where I am now.”
Prokopchuk credits longtime 222’s coaches in Ryan Ray and Keith Mackintosh on being the biggest influences in helping her out in the sport. She said Ray was important in helping her with the mental side of hitting.
“He (Ray) just helps me understand the game and for me to not get in my head when something doesn’t go my way, which is definitely a bit part of the game,” said Prokopchuk, who is slated to graduate from Bishop James Mahoney High School this coming June. “Softball is a mental game.
“It can definitely take over, but he (Ryan Ray) has definitely helped me understand and realize that it is OK.”
Prokopchuk said Mackintosh was huge in helping her improve in a couple of areas of her game.
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| Olivia Prokopchuk makes a throw from first base. |
With the work she put in with the 222’s, Prokopchuk was able to sign with the Bantams. She said it was fun setting up and getting the pictures done for the social media posts of her signing announcement.
“It was like having everyone there that has been there for you the whole time and knowing that you accomplished what you’ve worked so hard for over the past however many years has finally come true,” said Prokopchuk. “It was pretty nice.”
She elected to join the Bantams for a variety of reasons.
“I knew I wanted to go far (away), and I knew that if I wanted to go far, I might as well go somewhere in the sun,” said Prokopchuk. “The coaches were really good with me.
“They were good with my parents. They were just well-oriented down there I feel. When I went down, everyone was good with the players.
“The players had a close relationship with them, which was definitely a big thing for me.”
Prokopchuk said there was a natural comfort vibe feeling between herself and the South Carolina program.
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| Olivia Prokopchuk was a pitcher at first before focusing on hitting. |
“I did fall in love with it when I went down there, so it was a very quick and easy call and decision to make.”
While Prokopchuk has experienced her share of highs, she encountered a new challenge with a major injury.
During a training session in late 2024, Prokopchuk tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.
She is focused on her road to recovery, which will allow her to play in the upcoming Canada Summer Games and the 2025-26 campaign with the Bantams. Still, Prokopchuk said she was a bit nervous at first when it came to starting out on the comeback trail.
“I was definitely shaky at the start, because I wasn’t expecting it,” said Prokopchuk. “I had never gotten hurt before, so this was a big thing for me, but I kind of just came to the realization that it has to happen to everyone.
“If it didn’t happen now, it was going to happen at some point. I am just focusing on rehab and getting back and pushing myself to get back in time for what I want to more so accomplish down the road. That is the good thing is that straight out of rehab I get to do something that I wanted to do and that I’ve worked hard for.”
In the future, Prokopchuk still wants to be part of Softball Canada’s national team system at some point in time. When her playing days are complete, Prokopchuk wants to embark on a career that will help her stay around the sport.
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| Olivia Prokopchuk drives a ball into the outfield. |
Overall, she has appreciated the support of Saskatoon’s softball community during her journey in the sport. Prokopchuk said that support has also helped her realize her dreams in the sport.
“The softball community here is so nice and welcoming,” said Prokopchuk. “Everyone is here for a purpose and wants to be here, which is really encouraging to us and the little ones below us.
“I enjoy it.”
