The always sweet Complex happenings in photos

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A 222’s infielder snags a high throw at second base.

Over the last couple of months, excitement built on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds as the spring and summer outdoor sports season neared.

Athletes continued to train and perfect their skills at the Indoor Training Centre and our staff focused on preparing our outdoor facilities for use.

Our photo round up includes a number of pictures of athletes making plays. A few photos show the end results of the preparation that went on at a couple of facilities on our grounds.

A number of these photos like the lead picture of this post were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke. The lead photo shows a member of the 222’s Fast Pitch program jumping sky high to corral a high throw during an infield drill on April 2.

A trio of Complex family members contributed a few photos too.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 10 pictures from the past two months and a bonus graphic at the end. We hope you enjoy.

Multi-sport centre rises

You can see the landscape at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex has changed a little, if you drive on Dudley Street along the north part of our grounds. The new Multi-sport Centre, which is still under construction, has taken shape nicely. It is pictured here on May 1.

Showing how it is done

Brody Boyenko, who is an instructor with the Going Yard Training Centre, demonstrates a throwing motion to players he is coaching at the Indoor Training Centre on April 8. Boyenko is one of the many good coaches you see on our grounds.

SMF Field ready and waiting

Our own Ashlie Borisenko took this photo of Saskatoon Minor Football Field on April 24. Borisenko was part of the crew that groomed the football facility and got it ready for the upcoming season.

Fast thinking

This first baseman quickly reacts to a wide throw during an infield defensive drill at a training session overseen by Centerfield Training. This snag took place at an April 15 session at the Indoor Training Centre. The crew at Centerfield Training held regular training sessions at the Indoor Training Centre over the winter months.

Beauty new goalpost pads

Our Operations Manager Johnny Marciniuk couldn’t resist getting a picture of one of the news pads that covers the uprights at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. These pads look great and are extra sweet with labeling from the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon. With the artificial turf set for its eighth season, the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon was one of the first donors to assist us with the construction of the field. We are grateful to all our donors who have made this project a success, and we pass on a big thank you once again.

Safe at second

Members of the Saskatoon Lasers were working on their baserunning skills during an April 23 session at the Indoor Training Session. This young player was the subject of the best sliding picture we were able to take over the past six months.

Crank it up

This batter tags a pitch during a Going Yard Training Centre session on April 8. This hit took place at an Easter Camp held by Going Yard. The crew at Going Yard did fantastic work with the players they coached during the baseball off-season.

May the 4^th be with you

In the world of popular culture, we know that May 4 is Star Wars Day. We have a few Star Wars fans on staff and a few grace our grounds. For fun, we took this picture on this past May 4.

It feels so good to see the track

For the first time since October of 2019, the bulk of the speed skating tiles have been removed to open up the Track and Field Track. This has been a sight we’ve been waiting for. The Track and Field Track sits looking serene on April 27.

Beauty at sunset with SMF Field

Sometimes nature presents a scene where you just have to get the camera out. Saskatoon Minor Softball League president Vanessa Kosteroski got this picture of a sunset at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 5. The Complex is good at creating amazing pictures.

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day. We hope you enjoy the poem above.

More sweet Complex happenings in photos

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A young skater enjoys the  Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval.

Sweet made for photo memories continue to be created on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Of course, a lot of cool moments of sports action can be captured at the Complex. Those aren’t the only moments that make great pictures.

Some of the cool photos might include some our staffers springing into action. They enjoy and take pride in making sure everything at the Complex runs as smooth as possible.

Some of the sports action includes pictures of athletes who are deeply focused in training sessions looking to improve a skill.

A number of these photos like the lead picture of this post were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke. The lead photo shows a young skater taking advantage of one of the final days for public skating at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on March 1.

One of these photos came from an ace contributor.

Without further ado, here is a selection of nine pictures from about the past three months. We hope you enjoy.

Focus on the next pitch

The crew at the Going Yard Training Centre put their athletes through a lot of unique drills to improve their skill in baseball. In this picture from Feb. 11, a young pitcher pays attention to detail with the mechanics of his throw while using a weighted ball. The pitcher improves both skill and gets physically stronger.

Wild pitch under control

This catcher at a Saskatoon Raiders fastball training session on Feb. 20 calmly stayed on top of a wild pitch that went in the dirt. The catcher easily tracked the ball into her glove.

Jetting down the back stretch

The Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club training sessions at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval were always quality runs. Here a group of young skaters speed down the back stretch during a simulated race on Feb. 15.

Right in the wheelhouse

This hitter at a Saskatoon Phantoms fastball training session on Feb. 25 is about to unload on a pitch she likes. The batting cages and pitching tunnels are a popular feature at our Indoor Training Centre.

“Who ya gonna call”

Our own Ashlie Borisenko was out sanitizing the turf at Ignite Athletics and on the main field at the Indoor Training Centre in this photo taken on Dec. 28, 2020. Our staff ensure no stone is left unturned these days in the safety department. Emmarae Dale, who works at Ignite Athletics and is a linebacker with the Saskatoon Hilltops and Saskatoon Valkyries, took this picture.

Perfecting infield defence

This infielder simulates trying to throw out a base runner during an infield drill at a Saskatoon Selects fastball training session on Feb. 26. Selects players were trying to show off their command of infield defence.

Art of the steal

In other unique drill run at a Going Yard Training Centre session on Feb. 11, this base runner slides into second base on a steal drill. Coaches were trying to teach base runners how to read pitchers for a steal opportunity in this baseball drill.

Making minor fixes perfect

Our own Jack Nepjuk, who is well known in Saskatoon’s football scene, attends to fixing a small detail at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on Feb. 27. Nepjuk was one of a number of staffers who ensured the Oval’s season was a great one.

A snowy good time at the Oval

A light snow fell on the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on Feb. 27, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of these young skaters from the Prince Albert Speed Skating Club. They enjoyed getting a taste of skating on a long track course.