By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| A Steelers defender grabs the flag of a Cardinals ball carrier. |
When it
seemed winter would never end, Saskatoon Minor Football’s NFL 5-on-5 Flag
Football leagues sprung into gear for the first set of spring Saturday games on
May 2 at SMF Field. Playing under bright sunny skies, most couldn’t believe
just seven days earlier the focus was on digging out from a heavy snowfall that
fell in the city and across the province. During those dig outs, it felt like
the city was still in February.
All of that
was forgotten on May 2 at SMF Field as a tonne of fun was had at the NFL Flag
games that were held there throughout the day. Actually, it seemed like the
players were having more fun than usual having just escaped winter.
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| A coach for a Jaguars team gives instructions to his players. |
The lead
photo of our photo roundup comes from a game from one of the younger age
groups. A defender from the Steelers grabs hold of the flag of a ball carrier
from the Cardinals to bring an end to a play.
The second
picture sees a coach giving instructions to a Jaguars team in a younger age
group. The third shot sees a quarterback from a Seahawks team firing a pass
downfield in a female division contest.
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| A Seahawks quarterback fires a pass downfield. |
Due to winter working overtime, the Indoor Training Centre was busy all through April as teams worked on tuning up for their outdoor seasons whenever it came, which turned out to be throughout the first week of May.
The photo roundup has images from baseball, cricket, 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 19 shots we hope you enjoy.
Moving
on up
An outfielder makes what would be a simulated catch at the wall during a Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy training session on April 17 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Berries were using a machine in this drill that sent a mix of different hits that could end up in the outfield for players to make plays on.
Incoming
A pitcher sets to unload an off-speed pitch during a live at bats segment of a Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy training session on April 17 at the Indoor Training Centre. Players bring a good competitiveness during moments when live at bats segments are held.
Setting up for a catch
A member of the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon sets up to make a catch during a training session at the Indoor Training Centre on April 17. The Bison players were practicing on the field turf field to be able to simulate plays that are made in the field during games.
Line drive
A hitter from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon drives a line drive hit into the outfield playing surface during a training session at the Indoor Training Centre on April 17. Hits like this are key in cricket, because they prevent a player from going out. A catcher is also positioned behind the batter looking to make a defensive play to create an out.
Cheers to a great hit
A couple of batters from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon give a congratulations and acknowledgement on one of them making a big hit during a training session at the Indoor Training Centre on April 17. Most of the time in cricket, batters are making sprints between the wickets to score runs. During a practice, there are more chances to pass on praise for a great play.
Coming right at you
A hitter drives a ball right at the camera during a Saskatoon Selects practice session in the softball batting cages on April 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. Hitters enjoy driving the ball inside the batting cages.
“Got it!”
A shortstop settles under an infield hit during a simulated game that was held during a Saskatoon Phantoms practice session on April 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. With softball teams closing in on opening outdoor season play with the approach of May, simulated game action becomes that much more important for players.
Making it look routine
A shortstop from the Saskatoon Royals female baseball program sets to fire off a throw to first base for an out during a practice session at the Indoor Training Centre on April 19. The Royals have been regulars at the Indoor Training Centre on Sundays since the facility opened in March of 2019.
Coaches sharpen their skills
The field turf field at the Indoor Training Centre isn’t always used for physical training, practices or competitions. On April 19, the north part of the field was used for the Competition Introduction Coaching Clinic run by Softball Saskatchewan. During this segment, one coach demonstrates points on what to do when it comes to coaching catchers.
Contact!
A member of the Saskatoon Sixers Cricket Club drives the ball during a practice session in the batting tunnels at the Indoor Training Centre on April 19. With their outdoor season closing in, the Sixers continued to work on getting their skills as close to perfection as possible.
Smash!
A member of a Saskatoon Selects team drives a ball during a training session inside the softball batting tunnels at the Indoor Training Centre on April 19. The batting cages are an area where players can come to sharpen their skills all year round
Special delivery
A pitcher from the Saskatoon Pelicans 13U AAA Baseball Team unloads a pitch during a practice session on April 22 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Pelicans were one of a number of younger age group teams that were flooding into the Indoor Training Centre in April as prolonged snow made outdoor facilities unplayable.
That one is out of here
A hitter from the Saskatoon Pelicans 13U AAA Baseball Team drives a ball deep during a practice session on April 22 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Pelicans got in work on hitting, pitching and fielding during this session.
Running to daylight
A ball carrier from a Chargers team charges upfield during an NFL 5-on-5 Flag Football female game on May 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The NFL Flag league is one of the many great programs offered by Saskatoon Minor Football.
Catch in traffic
A Saints receiver secures a catch against a Patriots defender during an NFL 5-on-5 Flag Football contest on May 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. After securing the ball, the receiver was looking for an opening to break upfield.
In the grasp
A defender from an Eagles team is about to get his hand on the flag of a ball carrier from a Chiefs team during an NFL 5-on-5 Flag Football contest on May 2 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. These game day situations create lots of stories for players to talk about when they head back to school.
Set to bring the heat
A pitcher from the Saskatoon Green Selects U19B squad is in the delivery to unload a pitch against the Saskatoon Riot in a Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association contest on May 7 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Riot prevailed 16-11 in the second night game played at BVI in 2026.
Firing a throw from short
A Saskatoon Riot shortstop fires a throw over to first base for an out in a game against the Saskatoon Green Selects U19B squad on May 7 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Due to the longer than normal winter, this was the second night game played at BVI in 2026. The Riot pulled out a 16-11 victory.
Up to date
The sign in the north end zone of Saskatoon Minor Football Field has been updated to reflect the current total of WWCFL championships won by the Saskatoon Valkyries and total CJFL championships won by the Saskatoon Hilltops. The Valkyries started playing the majority of their home games at SMF Field in 2015, and they have won 10 WWCFL titles. The Hilltops have played the majority of their home games at SMF Field starting back in 1960 when the facility opened and was called the Holiday Park Bowl. They have won 24 CJFL titles in their history.
