FSIN Adult Fastball Championships bring the fun in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A centre-fielder from Muskowpetung settles under a catch for an out.

If you have never been to an FSIN Adult Fastball Championships, you are missing out.

From August 29 to 31, that event ran on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds at Bob Van Impe Stadium, Joe Gallagher Field and Glenn Reeve Fields #3 and #4. The FSIN Adult Fastball Championships have an unmistakable fun vibe to them. The teams on the field are competitive, but it seems like the players have an easy to see joy when it comes to being on the diamond.

The Men’s Championship Game played on August 31 at Bob Van Impe Stadium provided a perfect capper for the weekend. To avoid going to extra innings, Ochapowace scored a walk-off run in their final at bat to pull out a 3-2 thriller over Muskowpetung.

A YTC pitcher unloads a finesse throw in Women’s Masters play.

The Women’s Championship Game played on August 31 at Glenn Reeve Field #3 saw the Cote First Nation get past Piapot Nation 10-3. STC claimed the Men’s Masters title, while YTC captured the Women’s Masters crown.

The lead picture for our photo roundup sees a centre-fielder from Muskowpetung settling under a catch in the Men’s Championship Game. This centre-fielder ran down about four blasts into the outfield that could have been base hits in the title game.

The second shot of the photo roundup shows a YTC pitcher throwing an off-speed pitch to home during a Women’s Masters contest on August 30 at Glenn Reeve Field #4.

The third picture of the photo roundup sees the celebration begin for the Ochapowace team after winning the Men’s Championship Game.

Ochapowace players celebrate their Men’s Division title win.

Along with the pictures from the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships, this photo roundup includes more shots from Berries baseball, University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball and football. The arrival of Saskatoon Hilltops CJFL games and high school football means the summer season has come to an end and the fall season is hitting high gear.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, most 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.

Automatic out

Saskatoon Berries shortstop Nathan Houston fires the ball to first base to get an out during Game 1 of the WCBL East Division Championship Series on August 10 at Cairns Field. The Berries dropped an 8-7 heartbreaker in 11 innings in this contest to the Regina Red Sox.

Record crowd

On August 12, the Saskatoon Berries fell 6-2 to the Regina Red Sox in a series-deciding Game 3 of the WCBL East Division Championship Series at Cairns Field. While the Berries weren’t able to prevail and advance to the WCBL final, they attracted a record sellout crowd of 2,306 spectators to Cairns Field.

Final handshakes

Members of the Saskatoon Berries and the Regina Red Sox shake hands following a series-deciding Game 3 of the WCBL East Division Championship Series at Cairns Field. The Red Sox prevailed in this contest 6-2 and would advance on to win the WCBL Championship Series.

Breakout star

Saskatoon Hilltops running back David Collins, who is a newcomer to the club, carried the ball 33 times for 262 yards and two touchdowns powering his squad to a 42-15 victory over the Winnipeg Rifles on August 24 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Collins, who is from St. Michael, Minnesota, has carried the ball 73 times for 562 yards and six touchdowns over four games. After losing their first game, the Hilltops have won three straight games to sit at 3-1.

Incoming

A hitter from the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team drives a ball into the hitting net during a practice session at Joe Gallagher Field on August 26. The U of S squad was getting in a number of outdoor practices in preparation for their season.

Special delivery

A shortstop with the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team fires a ball to first base during an infield drill at a practice session on August 26 at Joe Gallagher Field. U of S will host a series of home games on September 13 and 14 at Bob Van Impe Stadium and will play another series of home contests on September 27 and 28 at Joe Gallagher Field.

Off to the races

A receiver from Seaman’s Squad jets away from a defender from the Chameleons during Saskatoon Touch Football League action on August 26 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Chameleons would slip past Seaman’s Squad in this contest 28-21.

Eye on the ball

A catcher from Gordon’s watches the ball into his glove in a game against Lac La Ronge on August 29 at Joe Gallagher Field. The contest, which Gordon’s won, was part of Men’s Division action at the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships.

Caught!

A catcher from Ochapowace puts the tag on a base runner from Standing Buffalo in Women’s Division action at the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships on August 30 at Glenn Reeve Field #3. Standing Buffalo would ultimately prevail in this contest.

Key drive

A Cote First Nation hitter line ground drives a hit into the outfield during the Women’s Championship Game of the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships played on August 31 at Glenn Reeve Field #3. The hit helped drive in runs that locked down a 10-3 victory over the Piapot Nation.

Cote First Nation enjoys spoils of victory

The Cote First Nation team poses for the customary team photo after winning the Women’s Division of the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships on August 31 at Glenn Reeve Field #3. The players were pretty pumped to win the tournament title.

I’m on my way home sweet home

An Ochapowace base runner strides down the third baseline to home plate to score the walk-off winning run of the Men’s Championship Game of the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships played on August 31 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Ochapowace got past Mushowpetung 3-2 in an outstanding contest.

Ochapowace team photo round 1

Ochapowace poses for the customary team photo after winning the Men’s Division of the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships on August 31 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Ochapowace posted a perfect 5-0 record at the championship tournament.

Ochapowace team photo round 2

Ochapowace created a memory that will live forever after winning the Men’s Division of the FSIN Adult Fastball Championships at Bob Van Impe Stadium on August 31. The Ochapowace squad was joined by family and friends for a big group picture after their title game win.

In honour of Lesa Springman

The Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons football family presented a seat to the Springman family at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds memorializing Lesa Springman at their season opening game on September 4. The scene provided a touching moment for the Springman family and the Falcons.

Suns players pour in

A number of players from Regina’s Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School Golden Suns gang up to take down Centennial Collegiate Chargers quarterback Riley Harrison on September 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Chargers would prevail 20-14 in this high school football contest.

LaFreniere jets into start of last high school dance

St. Joseph High School Guardians star running back Samuel LaFreniere blasts past defenders from Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders in a high school football contest on September 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. LaFreniere, who is one of Saskatoon’s most explosive high school aged players in recent years, is at the beginning of his Grade 12 swan song high school campaign. He powered the Guardians to a 37-25 victory in this “Friday Night Lights” game.

Nationals bid farewell to summer, fall picks up in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Jacks celebrate a win on August 30.

It seemed fitting Softball Canada’s Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournaments offered the perfect farewell to the summer season on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Saskatoon has a storied history for host Softball Canada nationals, and the Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournaments offered one last big taste on the diamond until attention turned more fully to the activities of fall. A total of 10 men’s teams and six master men’s teams were out to display their skill from this past August 28 to September 1.

While the Galway Hitmen from Newfoundland took the men’s title and Cobourg Force from Ontario claimed the master men’s crown, athletes and teams from Saskatchewan carved out some highlights. Our lead photo shows the Saskatoon Jacks celebrating a win over the Bear Creek Express from Ontario on August 30 at Bob Van Impe Stadium.

Catcher Ryan Ray makes a plate block on August 31.

The Jacks finished the preliminary round with a 3-3 mark before falling in their first playoff game to the Saskatoon Angels. The Angels would win one more playoff game before bowing out of the event.

The second photo comes from Joe Gallagher Field on August 31, and it shows Melfort 222’s catcher Ryan Ray coming up with a plate block. Ray is famous on the Complex grounds for helping with facility maintenance and coaching softball players and teams of seemingly all levels of experience.

The third photo shows Saskatoon Jacks shortstop Brant Wiebe firing a rocket to get an out at first base in his team’s August 30 win over the Express.

Along with images from the Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship, August’s photo roundup checks in with pictures from baseball, football and softball. Of course, the high school football season has started so we have a couple of check ins there. 

Brant Wiebe fires a ball to first base to get an out on August 30.

On our social media lines, our high school football posts are by far our most viewed posts, so it shows there is a strong attachment to that brand of the game.

We also have cool photos from the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops and the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team.

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 along with a check in from another sweet source.

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

Douglas on a tear

Star receiver Drake Douglas was on fire in the Saskatoon Hilltops 38-13 regular season opener against the Edmonton Huskies on August 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Douglas finished the contest hauling seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned six punts for 113 yards. After three regular season games, Douglas has caught 17 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns. He has also returned 18 punts for 229 yards.

Beck gets triple for the cycle

In one of the most memorable moments of the Saskatoon Berries inaugural WCBL season, centre-fielder Carter Beck hit for the cycle in his team’s 14-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Miller Express in Game 1 of the WCBL’s best-of-three East Division Championship Series at Cairns Field on August 11. This photo shows Beck getting a triple in the bottom of the seventh to complete the cycle. Beck went 4-for-5 at the plate driving in three runs with a single, a double, a triple and a home run.

Berries final salute for 2024

The Saskatoon Berries salute the 1,811 spectators that came out to Cairns Field on August 13 as they fell 5-3 in a series deciding Game 3 of the WCBL’s East Division Championship Series. The Berries great inaugural season came up one win short of the WCBL final.

On target throw

Julia Smith of the Night Fever is set to release an accurate throw during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League playoff action on August 21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Smith’s Night Fever blanked the Honey Badgers 39-0.

Lipinski Memorial Award special night

The Darren Lipinski Memorial Award 50^th Award Banquet was held on August 27 in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. For the 50^th anniversary of the award, 12 individuals were honoured for their outstanding contribution to softball in Saskatoon including Peggy Bonin, Susan Burns, Gord Cook, Bob Dybvig, Elyse Hamel, Brent Klassen, Debbie Krawchuk, John Michaluk, Larry Oleksuk, Gary Phillips, Gavin Russell and Nancy Scott.

Cool gift from Tree Canada

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Corporation would like to thank “Tree Canada” for a $10,000 grant provided to plant 81 trees and shrubs on our 66 Acres. The trees include Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, Larches, Lilacs and Foerster Grass.

We would also like to thank the Saskatoon Hilltops for coming through for us again to assist us with another project. The Hilltops planted trees for us for two days on their bye week. We are very proud of our association with the Hilltops Football Club, and we appreciate everything these young men do for us.

MVP for Ethier

Trevor Ethier sends an off-speed pitch to the plate for the Melfort 222’s on August 31 at Joe Gallagher Field during action at Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. Ethier still keeps adding accolades to his decorated athletic career in both softball and hockey. He would be named the MVP of the master men’s nationals posting a .400 batting average, a .538 on base percentage and three runs batted in at the plate. He also posted a .460 earned run average in 15 innings pitched.

222’s pack the park

A big crowd turned out to see the Melfort 222’s play at Joe Gallagher Field on August 31 as part of game action at Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The 222’s would post a 7-4 victory over the Alberta Pirates.

Force Master Men’s Canadian champs

The Cobourg Force from Ontario pose for the customary team photo after winning the title game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on September 1 at Joe Gallagher Field. They beat the Melfort 222’s 5-3 in the gold medal contest. This photo comes courtesy Softball Canada.

Hitmen claim Men’s Canadian title

The Galway Hitmen from Newfoundland pose for the customary team photo after winning the title game of Softball Canada’s Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on September 1 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. They downed the Toronto Batmen 9-8 in eight innings in the gold medal contest. This photo comes courtesy Softball Canada.

Running with power

Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears running back Elijah Doleman powers his way downfield in an SSSAD high school football game on September 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Doleman and the Bears blanked the Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers 14-0.

Open field magic

St. Joseph High School Guardians running back Samuel Lafreniere weaves his way through the Centennial Collegiate Chargers defence in an SSSAD high school football game on September 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Lafreniere and the Guardians downed the Chargers 44-16.

Let it rip

Mary Lee McNeil fires a pitch to home plate for the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team during Western Collegiate Softball Association game action on September 6 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The U of S sided downed the Mount Royal University Cougars 10-1.

Big effort in the outfield

Thea Friesen makes a running catch in left field for the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team during Western Collegiate Softball Association game action on September 8 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The U of S posted a 9-2 victory over the U of Regina Cougars to complete a series of six games at home over three days posting a record of four wins and two ties.

Stretching to secure an out

Emma Maurice makes an impressive effort to stretch to catch a ball and keep her foot on first base to secure an out for the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team during Western Collegiate Softball Association game action on September 8 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Maurice had many big defensive efforts helping the U of S take a 9-2 victory over the U of Regina Cougars to complete a series of six games at home over three days posting a record of four wins and two ties.

Nationals thrills and other fun packs photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Fusion begin to celebrate a Canadian title on August 4.

Saskatoon’s softball community knocks it out of the park when it comes to hosting Softball Canada nationals, and the players seemingly deliver every time with stellar performances on the field.

Those two traditions carried on from this past July 31 to August 4 as the diamonds on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds hosted of Softball Canada’s Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The tournament was outstanding, and it wrapped up with the Fraser Valley Fusion downing the Aurora Diggers 4-1 in the championship game on August 4 at Bob Van Impe Stadium.

The lead picture of our photo roundup comes from that title game and shows the Fusion players starting to celebrate after realizing a championship victory. 

Cadence Colborn drives a hit for the Prairie Dog Selects on August 3.

Most of the players on the Fusion were also members of their team that won Softball Canada’s Under-17 Girls’ Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament in August of last year on our grounds.

The host squad and Saskatchewan provincial champion Saskatoon Prairie Dog Selects had a good showing at the Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament posting a 5-3 overall record. They were eliminated in the playoff round with a 7-5 loss to the Diggers and a 6-4 setback against the Fusion.

Prairie Dog Selects infielder Cadence Colborn, who mainly played first base, was named a tournament all-star. At the plate, Colborn posted a .474 batting average and nailed three home runs. The second picture of our photo roundup sees Colborn driving the ball deep in her team’s tournament ending loss to the Fusion on July 3 at Joe Gallagher Field.

The Fusion receive a Softball Canada championship trophy on August 4.

The Under-19 Women’s Canadians provided ample material for the photo roundup. The third photo shows the Fusion captains pictured with the tournament’s championship trophy after receiving it from Softball Canada director Jackie Dugger, who is on the right.

Along with images from the Under-19 Women’s Canadians, August’s photo roundup checks in 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 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Muggli will always be remembered

The Saskatoon Cubs held a tribute night to honour the memory of Heath Muggli on July 12 at Cairns Field against the East Central Red Sox, who are from Muggli’s hometown of Muenster. Muggli served the baseball community in numerous roles including umpire and broadcaster. As part of the festivities, the Cubs raised funds for the St. Paul’s Hospital Urology Centre. In this photo from that night, the Cubs captains presented Muggli’s family with a team jersey signed by all the members of their squad.

Prairie Dog Selects crowned provincial champs

The Saskatoon Prairie Dog Selects pose for the customary team picture after winning Softball Saskatchewan’s U19 A Women’s Provincial Championship on July 14 at Joe Gallagher Field. The Prairie Dog Selects downed the Moose Jaw Ice 11-4 in the championship contest.

Synergy sits at the top

The Saskatoon Synergy pose for the customary team photo after winning Softball Saskatchewan’s Women’s A Provincial Championship at Bob Van Impe Stadium on July 21. They downed the Carnduff Southeast Steelers 6-5 in a thrilling contest.

Eye on the ball

A Saskatoon Giants catcher tracks the ball into his glove during a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Under-18 AAA game on July 21 at Leakos Field. The Giants dropped a 10-0 decision to the Saskatoon Cubs in the final regular season game for both sides. The Giants rebounded from this setback and would win the circuit’s provincial title just seven days later in Regina.

All-out effort

After scrambling in the backfield, a BGees quarterback lets a pass fly down the field while on the run during Saskatoon Touch Football League action on July 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The BGees downed the Blitz in this outing 16-6.

Escape denied

A receiver from the Deadly Aunties squad was unable to evade a defender from the Honey Badgers during a Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League contest on July 24 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Honey Badgers took this game 26-8.

Jacks become provincial champs

The Saskatoon Jacks pose for the customary team photo after winning Softball Saskatchewan’s Men’s A Provincial Championship at Joe Gallagher Field on July 28. They downed the Bruno Merchants 7-0 in the title game.

Berries pack the park

Another big crowd turned out for the Saskatoon Berries 5-2 regular season victory over the Okotoks Dawgs on July 28 at Cairns Field. The Berries have been averaging around 1,900 fans per game during their inaugural WCBL campaign. Pictured here are the stands that run down the first base line for the July 28 victory, which saw 2,035 spectators turn out for a sunny Sunday afternoon encounter.

A Berry bash

Saskatoon Berries hitter Bailyn Sorensen drives a ball into the outfield during his team’s game on July 28 at Cairns Field. The Berries downed the traditional WCBL powerhouse Okotoks Dawgs on this day 5-2.

Trapped

The Saskatoon Wolverine Selects catch a White Rock Renegades base runner in a run down during a game at Softball Canada’s Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 2 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Selects would ultimately get the base runner out, but fell 13-4 to strong squad from British Columbia.

Rallying for the hosts

The Saskatoon Prairie Dog Selects packed the fans into Joe Gallagher Field for a night playoff round game on August 3 at Joe Gallagher Field. The Selects faced the Fraser Valley Fusion in a winner moves on and loser is eliminated contest. In a stellar encounter, the Fusion prevailed 6-4 and would ultimately move on to win the tournament.

Reimer remains a gem

Fraser Valley Fusion pitcher Morgan Reimer continued to show why she is one of the best players in her age group in Canada. On August 4 at Bob Van Impe Stadium, Reimer was named the Top Player of the playoff portion of Softball Canada’s Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. She was presented with the Top Player honour following her squad’s 4-1 victory in the event’s championship game. Reimer is pictured here firing a pitch to home during that title contest.

Fusion go the distance for national title

The Fraser Valley Fusion pose for the customary team photo after winning the title game of Softball Canada’s Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 4 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Fusion posted a 10-2 overall record in capturing a national title, which included winning six straight single-elimination playoff contests.

Beauty moment for Beatty

Following the conclusion of Softball Canada’s Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 4 at Bob Van Impe Stadium, Softball Canada presented Lawrence Beatty, right, with a gift for Saskatoon being an outstanding host. Softball Canada director Jackie Dugger made the presentation to Beatty for the national sports body. Beatty has held various roles with the sport of softball in Saskatoon.

Post-game rally

The Saskatoon Berries huddle up after falling 3-0 to the Medicine Hat Mavericks in Game 2 of a WCBL East Division semifinal series on August 8 at Cairns Field. The Berries loss evened the best-of-three series at 1-1. The Berries were aiming to regroup before heading on the road to play a series-deciding Game 3 the next day in Medicine Hat.