Prokopchuk shares love for 222’s for opening doors in softball

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Olivia Prokopchuk is one of Saskatoon’s best power hitters.

Olivia Prokopchuk will be part of the 222’s Fastpitch program for life.

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.”

Olivia Prokopchuk drives a ball into the net.

Back in November of 2024, Prokopchuk signed on with the University of South Carolina-Union Bantams Women’s Softball team located in Union, South Carolina. They play in the National Junior College Athletic Association in the United States.

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.

Olivia Prokopchuk makes a throw from first base.

“He has helped me with hitting and has spent countless hours working me through my swing,” said Prokopchuk. “He was also the start of helping me with my first base skills.”

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.

Olivia Prokopchuk was a pitcher at first before focusing on hitting.

“I had an offer there before I went down there,” said Prokopchuk. “It was just a matter of me going down there and deciding if I liked the school.

“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.

Olivia Prokopchuk drives a ball into the outfield.

“I do want to come home, and I want to become a physiotherapist,” said Prokopchuk. “That has been a dream of mine for a long time, so that is the plan as of right now.”

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.”

Playground To Pros and other fun pack into photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A receiver, left, makes a tough catch at a Playground To Pros session.

The enthusiasm that you can experience at Playground To Pros is contagious.

Saskatoon Minor Football ran the annual Easter break camp for young players in Grades 5 to 8 at the Indoor Training Centre from April 2 to 4. SMF brings in a variety of guest coaches that are either playing in the CFL or alums of the professional ranks along with some of the top football coaches in Saskatoon.

The players at Playground To Pros go through a variety of drills that focus on skill development in a fun environment. 

Jorgen Hus coaches young players at Playground To Pros.

If you are ever around one of the Playground To Pros camp sessions, you can tell the coaches do a great job of delivering fun, because it seems the players always exude a positive and energetic vibe.

All the sessions at the camp lead to a scrimmage session that is held in the afternoon on the last day, which was April 4. This session closes the camp and gives players a chance to show off what they have learned.

Our lead picture of our photo roundup sees a receiver making a great catch under tight coverage during one of the scrimmages on April 4. 

The second picture of the photo roundup shows Saskatchewan Roughriders veteran long snapper Jorgen Hus directing a group of players during a scrimmage session.

A defensive back mades an interception at Playground To Pros.

The third picture of the photo roundup shows a young defensive back making an interception in scrimmage action.

With the spring sports season almost here, the Indoor Training Centre has been a massive hub of activity for the past month. Various baseball, cricket, rugby and softball groups have been at the facility doing preparation work so they can hit the ground running when their various campaigns begin.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, the majority of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke. Also, Vic Pankratz also checks in with a pair of photos from Playground To Pros.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 17 shots we hope you enjoy.

Hofmann shows off new toy

Our baseball family can now enjoy two new portable five-foot wide by 10-foot long mounds which will be safer for pitching drills. We have one for each the north and south fields at the Indoor Training Centre. Logan Hofmann is shown trying out one of the new mounds.

Got it at the wall

A Saskatoon Cubs outfielder makes a catch at the wall during a training session on March 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. On the dividing curtain that splits the field turf field into the north and south fields, the solid green lower portion of the curtain is meant to simulate an outfield wall.

Out at first

A Saskatoon Giants infielder sets to secure a catch at first base for an out during a training session on March 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. Baseball groups enjoy the fact they can set up a regular infield at the Indoor Training Centre for practices.

Mastering the wild pitch block

Saskatoon Cubs catcher Osher Stromberg makes sure he gets his body in front of a ball to control a wild pitch as part of a wild pitch drill he did on March 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. Stromberg is a player you can watch in order to pick up tips on how to be a better catcher.

Out at second

A Saskatoon Raiders infielder sets to secure an out at second base during a training session on March 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. Enthusiasm was high among the players at this practice as the spring season closes in.

Coming right at you

A hitter at a 222’s Fastpitch training session drives the ball hard straight into the net at the Indoor Training Centre on March 19. The players in the hitting drills at this practice focused on technique.

Eye on the ball

A catcher looks the ball into her glove during a 222’s Fastpitch training session held on March 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. The catchers did various drills revolving around technique with a particular focus on getting throws off to second base at this session.

Let it rip

A bowler from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon makes a delivery to a hitter during a live competitive session in a pitching lane on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. It is becoming more common that onlookers from sports groups in neighbouring surroundings will check out the work of the cricket groups.

Hitter with a reach

A hitter from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon reaches out to make a connection during a live competitive session in a pitching lane on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The cricket groups are looking forward to their upcoming outdoor season in spring.

Windup with flow

A young pitcher flows through her windup during a 222’s Fastpitch Pitching Factory day on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. During Pitching Factory days, young pitchers aged 13 and under worked on the skills of throwing various pitches and take part in defensive drills from the pitching circle.

Here comes the heat

A young pitcher fires a toss during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on March 26 at the Indoor Training Session. The instructors at Going Yard were working with a younger group of hurlers on this day, and a lot of focus was paid to skill development.

Selects scoop toss

A Saskatoon Selects infielder makes a scoop toss during a rapid-fire infield tossing drill on Easter Sunday, March 31 at the Indoor Training Centre. This Selects session was held after the dinner hour, and the players had a tonne of fun on this day.

Toss out of trouble

A member of the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club passes the ball to a teammate during a drill at the Indoor Training Centre on April 1. The Wild Oats coaches will work to get their players to be able to make quick decisions as rugby is a sport with constant motion.

Throw to start a drill

A member of the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club passed the ball into his teammates to start a drill at the Indoor Training Season on April 1. The Wild Oats are preparing for their upcoming season in the spring.

Driving through the tackle

A couple of members of the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club work on a tackling drill with a blocking pad on April 1. The tackler is driving through the player holding the blocking pad with power.

Tough running

Vic Pankratz checks in here with a photo from a Playground To Pros session on April 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. In this picture, a young running back tries to get out of the grips of a tackler during a one-on-one competitive drill.

Catch coming in stride

Vic Pankratz also gave us this sweet picture from the Playground To Pros session on April 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. In this shot, a young receiver is set to make a catch in stride while running his route with a defensive back in the vicinity. You can check out more of Vic’s photos at vicpankratzmedia.com.

Frisky to realize dream

Pitcher will play for Canada’s under-18 women’s softball team

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Emma Frisky will play for Canada’s under-18 women's national team.

Emma Frisky is going to live her dream a little faster than she anticipated.

The skill right-handed pitcher, who will turn 16-years-old on March 10, was named to Softball Canada’s Under-18 Women’s National Team that will play in the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation Americans Pan Am Championship slated to run March 30 to April 6 in Monteria, Colombia. While the official announcement of the Canadian roster came out on February 26, Frisky is still pretty awestruck by the news.

“It is kind of surreal still,” said Frisky. “It is a great honour to wear the leaf and represent my country.

“It has been a great since I was a little girl. It feels great that it is coming true.”

Playing on one of Softball Canada’s national teams has been a lifelong aspiration for Frisky. She began playing the sport at age four when her family was located in her original hometown in Tisdale.

Frisky played lots of minor softball for the Spirit program in Melfort. At the 2022 Under-15 Girls Canadian Fastpitch Championship held on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds in August of that year, Frisky was named the all-star pitcher playing for the Spirit.

From about age seven or eight, she also began training with the 222’s Fastpitch program in the late summer, fall and winter months at a young age and has been a member of their travel teams for about four years.

About two years ago, her family relocated to Martensville, which allowed Frisky to play her first season with the Twin City Angels program last year. Frisky, who stands 5-foot-8, helped the Angels win a provincial title and appear in the Under-15 Girls Canadian Fastpitch Championship help last August in Brandon, Man.

Even to this point in her young life, Frisky has gained numerous positive experiences from the sport of softball.

“All my best friends have come from this sport,” said Frisky, who also plays third base and shortstop when she is not pitching. “I’ve learned so many life lessons.

Emma Frisky chats with a 222’s Fastpitch teammate.

“I really like the feeling of being on a team where you know that all the girls have your back and that competitiveness you get on championship Sunday to go out and that edge to go win. It is a good feeling.”

In her current Grade 10 school year, Frisky spent the first semester attending Tommy Douglas Collegiate, where she did further softball training at the Tigers Softball Academy overseen by Trevor Ethier and Don Bates. She is taking her second semester of studies at Martensville High School.

She said the biggest influences she has had helping her along in the sport have come from the 222’s and the Tigers programs.

“I’d say the Twos (222’s Fastpitch) program has been my biggest influence,” said Frisky. “I liked all my coaches when I was younger growing up that have pushed me in this direction.

“A big shout out to Dean Holoien and Keith Mackintosh and “Rayzor” (Ryan) Ray, and then at the softball academy Trevor Ethier and Don Bates.”

Mackintosh, who is one of the 222’s veteran instructors and head coach of Canada’s under-18 women’s team, said Frisky had a great compete level and strives to get better. The veteran field boss, who is a member of International Softball Congress Hall of Fame, said Frisky excels at the sport for a number of reasons.

“I just think her work ethic has got her to the point where she throws with velocity,” said Mackintosh. “Her spins are great.

“She is very mature for her age in that regard. I really think the number on thing that probably makes Emma who she is as a player is her compete level. She just wants to play softball.

“She wants to win for her teammates. She is an unbelievable teammate that way.”

Frisky’s fastball has gotten up to 64 miles per hour, which is impressive for someone about to turn 16-years-old. She also had great control of her rise ball, drop curve and change up.

Mackintosh said Frisky deserves to be on the under-18 national team, and the coaches decided to take her and a couple of other players that are the same age as her having an eye to the future. If Canada finishes in the top five of the WBSC Americans Pan Am Championship, the squad advances to the WBSC Under-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage.

The World Cup Group Stages have been awarded to Sao Paolo, Brazil (Group A – July 23-27), Pingtan, China (Group B – August 14-18) and Dallas, Texas, in the United States (Group C – August 29 to September 2). If Canada is successful in the group stage earning a spot to the under-18 worlds in 2015, the 2006 born players who are on Canada’s roster at the moment will fall off.

Emma Frisky’s fastball can hit 64 miles per hour.

Knowing what could happen if Canada earns a spot at worlds next year, Mackintosh said the coaching staff was looking to carry some younger aged players on the under-18 team this year.

“We just thought we’re going to take some young players and give them a taste of international competition to see how they do, and then we know exactly where we are at a year and a half down the road,” said Mackintosh.“That was part of it.

“She (Frisky) earned her way on. She had a great camp. She had a great summer season.

“I’m really proud of the development she has had over the last couple of years. She just deserved to be there.”

Mackintosh believes Frisky has the potential to play softball at the highest levels long into the future.

“I think the sky is the limit for her,” said Mackintosh. “You look at the age of our senior national team going into an Olympic year in 2028 it is going to be a fairly older team.

“I think that the next generation of players that are coming up of that age group Emma is definitely one of those players that she could be wearing the maple leaf for a very long time. The hope is she goes to a good school in the States.I just think the upside to her and her career is unlimited.”

Frisky said she wants to follow in the path of her favourite player in Jorde Chartrand. Chartrand is an ace right-handed pitcher and power hitter with the NCAA Division I University of North Carolina Greensboro Spartans Women’s Softball Team in Greensboro, N.C.

A Weyburn, Sask., product, Chartrand spent a number of years playing in Saskatoon and training at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. She suited up for Softball Canada’s Senior National Women’s Team in 2022.

“Jordy (Jorde) Chartrand is my biggest idol,” said Frisky. “I look up to her.

“When she made the national team, that was kind of inspiration. To see her live her dreams kind of helped push me to get there myself.”

Emma Frisky takes part in a bunt defence drill.

Looking towards the future, Frisky wants to earn more chances to represent Canada at the international level and earn a scholarship to play softball for an NCAA Division I school. At the moment, her focus is on the immediate future in playing for Canada at the WBSC Americans Pan American Championship tournament.

“It is coming up pretty quick,” said Frisky. “It is really exciting.

“I’m super excited to go down there and meet all the girls. It is going to be an awesome experience.”

Warmer than seasonal outside, lots of play inside in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on Jan. 3, 2024.

The unseasonably warm weather up to a few days ago in winter has created some unique photo opportunities.

The conditions outside helped make one feel that the spring sports season is just around the corner. The expected cold elements that arrived on January 5, 2024 leave a reminder that the spring season is still about three-and-a-half months away.

The lack of snow due to the warm weather has meant the Nordic skiing community has hardly been on our grounds at all to this point in time. Usually, the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club is teaching child and teenager aged athletes the skills of the sport on trails that are usually created on the Glenn Reeve Fields for a lengthy time by now.

Still, the conditions have been cold enough that the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval was flooded. Public skating started on December 17, 2023 and the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club began holding long track practices there one day later.

One of the different sites at the Oval had been seeing the infield of the Track and Field Track inside of the skating track. A number of skaters took photos with the snowless infield in the background.

Our lead picture of our photo roundup shows the Oval with the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre in the background. The picture was taken on January 3, 2024, and it is a neat shot to have to show how warm it actually was on that day in the future in a “believe or not” type fashion.

We made some rounds on January 3, 2024 taking photos of our facilities and a couple more pictures will show up in this photo roundup from that day. The photo roundup also includes happenings at the Oval with public skating and the Lions.

As has become the custom during the winter months including winter months with warm conditions, the Indoor Training Centre is a busy hub of activity. It is filled with athletes training to prepare for the upcoming spring, summer and fall sports seasons and athletes taking part in league play for flag football and ultimate disc.

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 17 shots we hope you enjoy.

You still got it

Former Saskatoon Hilltops star quarterback Jordan Walls sets to gun a pass downfield during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action on December 12, 2023 at the Indoor Training Centre. Walls was a member of five straight CJFL championship winners with the Hilltops from 2014 to 2018.

Slick toss

An athlete makes a clever toss to a teammate during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league action on December 18, 2023 at the Indoor Training Centre. It has been a joy to host league games from the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society and witness some of the slick plays the athletes can make.

And they are off

A group of young skaters elect to have a fun race during a night public skating session at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on December 18, 2023. Public skating sessions are always a great time at the Oval.

Olympian makes the kids happy

Olympic gold medalist Christine Nesbitt signs a few autographs for a group of children gathered at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on December 22, 2023. Nesbitt was helping coach at Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club practices over the holiday season. She won gold in the women’s 1,000-metre race in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C.

Long distance drive

A youngster hammers the ball during action at the Indoor Junior Cricket Tournament run by Cricket Saskatoon at the Indoor Training Centre on December 23, 2023. It was amazing to see how well the young athletes could smash the ball.

Letting it fly

A youngster unleashes a pitch during action at the Indoor Junior Cricket Tournament run by Cricket Saskatoon at the Indoor Training Centre on December 23, 2023. The young players who took part in the games showed great enthusiasm and joy.

Building speed in the corner

Skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club jet around a corner during a practice on December 28, 2023 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. The Lions are slated to host their annual John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 20 and 21, 2024 at the Oval.

Bringing the heat

A pitcher fires some major league fastpitch heat across the plate during the final day of The Frosty Fundamentals Camp run by 222’s Fastpitch at the Indoor Training Centre. The camp allowed players from various age groups to sharpen up skills in all parts of their game.

Olympian lends a hand

Larissa Franklin, who is an outfielder from Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team, helped out at the Frosty Fundamentals Camp run by 222’s Fastpitch during the holiday season. Franklin, second from right, talks to a group of young players about aspects of a bunting drill they are about to take part in on December 29, 2023 at the Indoor Training Centre. Franklin helped Canada win bronze at the Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021.

Eyeing up to perfect a bunt

A member of the Saskatoon Giants sets to lay down a slick bunt during a team training session at the Indoor Training Centre on January 2, 2024. The Giants were going through a series of drills to perfect fundamentals.

Working on a sweet swing

A hitter from the Saskatoon Giants drives the ball into the net during a team training session at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants were working on all sorts of fundamentals on this night including working on all aspects of a swing at a hitting net.

Winter rest for Joe Gallagher Field

Joe Gallagher Field looks peaceful on this warm winter day pictured on January 3, 2024. Normally at this time during the winter season, the stands are all packed with snow and the snow on the field is a couple of feet thick. The park strikes a peaceful pose with a snow-covered infield to go along with the grass outfield.

Cairns Field waits for the WCBL’s Berries

Cairns Field sits at rest during warm winter weather conditions on January 3, 2024. Come May, it will be home to the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Team, who will be playing their inaugural campaign in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

Big line dive

A young hitter lines a hit into the outfield during a scrimmage/modified game that closed a one-day holiday time camp run by the Going Yard Training Centre at the Indoor Training Centre on January 5, 2024. Hits during the scrimmage/modified game started all sorts of action on the base paths.

All about fun

Members of a team celebrate scoring multiple runs doing a scrimmage/modified game that closed a one-day holiday time camp run by the Going Yard Training Centre at the Indoor Training Centre on January 5, 2024. The contest turned out to be tonnes of fun for all involved.

Winter finally arrives in true fashion

Saskatoon Minor Football Field sits looking serene after a dump of snow on January 5, 2024. The dump of snow that came during that day and stayed ushered in a true feeling that winter had finally arrived.

Sunday fun day on the ski trails

Those involved with the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club finally got to enjoy a scene like this on January 7, 2024 as Sunday fun days returned to the ski trails that covered the Glenn Reeve Fields. The ski club was holding instructional sessions for youth aged skiers on this day. After what was a warm winter, the skiers were pumped to be out skiing on snow.

Indoor Training Centre fun, exciting football final in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A Timbits Saturdays group comes together for a big cheer.

Off-season time at the Indoor Training Centre can be tonnes of fun.

All it takes is seeing a session of the Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays program to be reminded of that tidbit. Our lead photo of our photo roundup comes from a Timbits Saturdays session held on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. It shows the coaches and players coming together for a cheer following the conclusion of one of those hour-long periods.

These days the Indoor Training Centre is enjoying its peak period as various sporting groups are using it for training sessions like baseball, football, lacrosse, softball and track and field.

Activities from Timbits Saturdays offer up arguably the cutest photos. That program offers softball instruction to children aged three to 11 in one-hour long sessions that are held Saturday mornings at the Indoor Training Centre from October to February.

The young players participate in activities and games that are patterned after informal playground games that promise fun and action. The activities are set up in a way to allow players with high and low skill levels to be involved.

A young players makes a throw at a Timbits Saturdays session.

Players also participate in basic drills that teach the proper forms for throwing, catching and pitching. On the hitting side, players take part in drills that work on proper stance and swinging before proceeding to hit balls off a tee into a net.

Some of those drills are used with older age groups to help reinforce the basics. The second photo of the photo roundup shows a young player taking part of an infield throwing drill at a Timbits Saturdays session on December 2.

On top of those drills, the players will do some activities that are basically playground games along with some short simulated mini games at the end of the session. Ultimately, the main focus of the program is to try and ensure the players have fun and develop a love for the game.

Besides Timbits Saturdays photos, the photos in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds, which include photos from an exciting championship football game and training sessions from various sports. In this photo roundup, the majority of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Monster game for Crusader

Receiver Britton Tabler of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders had one of the best games of his career in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football championship game held on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Tabler caught 11 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. The Crusaders ultimately lost a 12-10 heartbreaker to Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders.

Tough slugging on the ground

Holy Cross High School Crusaders running back Aulain Penner gets corralled by a number of defenders from Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Crusaders and Marauders were going at it in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football championship game. The Marauders would take the contest 12-10.

Marauders celebrate a three-peat

The players from Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders raise the championship trophy in celebration of winning the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football title game on November 11. The win marked the third straight year the Marauders claimed the 6A football crown.

Eyeing up the details

A hitter concentrates on his mechanics during a drill at a Going Yard Training Centre session on November 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. Players use the sessions with the Going Yard Training Centre to work on improving the fine points in their game.

Perfecting infield defence on the bases

An athlete, right, from a JQFP Softball session works on fielding defence on a base inside a batting cage at the Indoor Training Centre on November 22. The JQFP Softball coaches showed off an innovative way here to help players improve infield defensive skills on the bases. JQFP Softball coach Jon Equina, left, oversees this drill.

Family welcome for Iris

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Corporation was pleased to welcome Iris Lapierre as the new Administration Manager to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex family. Iris comes to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex after having spent 29 years with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools having retired in October. She is pictured here on November 22 working at the front desk of the Indoor Training Centre.

Running to create space

An athlete with the Sentinels Lacrosse Club motors to an open space in the offensive end of the field during a practice session on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Sentinels are an elite field lacrosse program that runs junior varsity and varsity teams from September through to December.

Tuesday morning camper found

We had a visitor to the overflow campground on the morning of Tuesday, November 28. We believe the visitor jumped the fence as there are no holes in it. We opened the door and the visitor left for a next destination. Johnny Marciniuk, who is our Operations Manager, checked in with the photo of our visitor.

Securing out at first

An infielder follows the ball into her glove fielding at first base during a 222’s Fastpitch practice session at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were focusing on perfecting various defensive skills in the infield on this day.

Finesse throw

A player uses perfect touch to let a Frisbee fly during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society game action on November 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league play is a staple happening at the Indoor Training Centre during the winter months.

A helping hand

A coach helps a young hitter to set up properly in order to hit the ball during one of the SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players taking part in the Timbits Saturdays have a lot of fun and improve greatly over the winter months the program is run.

Feeling the need for speed

A base runner round second base at seemingly warp speed during one of the SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The player was taking part in a mini game that closes out the one-hour period the Timbits Saturdays program run.

Set for the relay

An infielder for the Saskatoon Giants sets to make a catch at second base before making a relay throw to first on December 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants were taking infield defensive repetitions in order to prepare for the 2024 spring and summer baseball season.

Selects break it down

Members of the Saskatoon Selects program conclude a training session with a cheer on December 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. Many spring and summer club squads do off-season work as a team unit to build skills and unity.

Up and away

Two athletes get some air time going up to battle for a Frisbee during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league play at the Indoor Training Centre on December 7. Those taking part in Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society action make some incredible plays on the turf.