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.

Sweet happenings in photos as winter hits home stretch

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Logan Hofmann fires a throw at the Indoor Training Centre.

These days at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex it feels like winter is in the home stretch and spring is just around the corner.

At the moment, the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is still a hub of activity. During evenings, the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club is often practicing, and the Lions have been holding club skating meets usually on Saturday mornings.

When the Lions aren’t on the track, the Oval is busy with public skating sessions, which continue to be popular. Skaters of all skill levels love coming down to soak in the day.

As spring nears, business is picking up at the Indoor Training Centre. Since the start of January, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team has been stopping in for conditioning training sessions to prepare for their season ahead.

They are one of a few football groups who stop in to train.

On the baseball side, we’ve had some professionals stop in to sharpen their skills. Pitcher Logan Hofmann, who is playing in the minor league system of the MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates, has been fine tuning his pitches during throwing sessions and has been helping coach some of the younger players.

Hofmann is pictured in our lead photo firing a throw from the mound inside the Indoor Training Centre.

As January closed and the calendar turned to February, Saskatoon’s softball zone programs became more frequent visitors in preparation for the spring season.

These photos 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 nine shots we hope you enjoy.

A great day to be on the ski trails

A gentleman enjoys a pleasant afternoon doing some classic skiing on January 31. The ski trails on our grounds and on the neighbouring Holiday Park Golf Course typically fill up on the weekends.

That one is out of here

A Saskatoon Hustlers hitter takes this ball for a ride during a session at the Indoor Training Centre on January 27.

Huskies build power and strength

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team has taken part in inventive workouts at our Indoor Training Centre courtesy of Ignite Athletics. During this conditioning session on January 13, a Huskies player strides over some low hurdles while carrying a water bag.

All in technique

A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club works on technique before taking part in timed races on January 15. The Lions fastest skaters have mastered striding in this low position.

Reminder winter is still here

While a lot of winter time fun can be had on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds, the winter season still flexes its muscles from time to time as a reminder it is here. One of those reminders came on January 31 with the blowing snow seen here in front of the K+S Potash Canada Multi-sport Centre and over top the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval.

Bringing the heat

A pitcher from the Going Yard Training Centre unloads a wicked throw during a training session on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre.

All smiles at the Oval

A couple of skaters enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful Sunday afternoon during a public skating session at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 30. The trees located in the opposite corners of the Oval offer scenic pictures.

I want to drive the Zamboni

Greg Brotzel makes rounds on the Zamboni flooding the ice surface at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 25.

Finding power in new ways

The Saskatoon Phantoms found an inventive way to improve power at the plate during a session at the Indoor Training Centre on February 3. The Phantoms had their hitters drive a soccer ball into a net in this particular drill.

Lions just want to have fun

During a practice session on February 8, these two members of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club share in a fun and good-natured moment. The Lions work hard at their craft, but they like to have fun too. They make the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval a great place to be.

Homegrown Hofmann eyes future in MLB

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

 

Logan Hofmann signs a ball for a young player in Saskatoon.

When Logan Hofmann started playing baseball out in his hometown of Muenster, Sask., it was all about the joy of just being on the diamonds.

The notion of becoming a Major League Baseball draft selection or going to the elite levels of the sport didn’t cross his mind until high school.

“Growing up, I just played it, because it was fun,” said Hofmann. “It never really was a thought of mine to play professional baseball, because I was a big hockey player too growing up.

“I thought I was better at hockey pretty much my whole life until about Grade 10. That is when I thought that if I keep improving in baseball I can eventually go to college and then from there have success in college and then move on to the professional ranks.”

The right-handed pitcher played for Saskatchewan’s provincial team as part of an extremely successful run from 2015 to 2017. 

Saskatchewan won silver at the Baseball Canada Cup played at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex in 2015, gold at the Baseball Canada Cup held in 2016 in Fort McMurray, Alta., and at the Canada Summer Games in 2017 in Winnipeg.

The standout with the Muenster Red Sox program also played catcher and shortstop, when he wasn’t taking turns on the hill.

Logan Hofmann pitching for Saskatchewan. 
(Photo courtesy Baseball Saskatchewan) 

After graduating high school, Hofmann pitched two seasons for Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas. Following his second season, Hofmann was selected in the 35^th round and 1,055^th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Hofmann elected to not to sign with the Cardinals deciding to play for the Northwestern State University Demons baseball team in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in the NCAA Division I ranks. That allowed him to keep developing his pitching stills and re-enter the MLB Draft.

In the MLB Draft that was held on June 11, Hofmann was selected in the fifth round and 138^th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He signed a rookie contact with the Pirates on June 27.

The 20-year-old said it was a thrill to be picked in the MLB Draft and to be able to sign with the Pirates so quickly after the draft.

“It kind of just seals the deal,” said Hofmann, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 190 pounds. “It is official.

“It is kind of the same thing as getting drafted. It is a great feeling, and I guess kind of a big accomplishment to say that you’ve signed now, and you’re ready to get your minor league career started.”

While he is gaining big opportunities in the game, Hofmann never forgets his Saskatchewan roots. When he returns home after completing his post-secondary season, he can usually be found on the diamonds in Muenster or around the province helping younger players.

Logan Hofmann played shortstop and catcher growing up.
(Photo courtesy Baseball Saskatchewan)

Hofmann enjoys helping the generation coming up.

“It is just good to give back just to see I guess some of the young talent we have in Saskatchewan,” said Hofmann, who credits his father, Chad, on being the biggest influence in helping him in the game growing up. “I just want to help them be the best player and person they can be.”

Hofmann has good memories playing with Saskatchewan’s provincial program. He remembers winning silver at the 2015 Baseball Canada Cup in Saskatoon as being a big thing as Saskatchewan had won just one medal – a silver in 2011- in 18 years previous at that event.

“Going in it was kind of we were hosting it, and if we do good, that would be cool,” said Hofmann. “I don’t think anybody really expected us to go as far as we did.

“Obviously, we faced B.C. in the final, and they were really, really good that year. I think still even a silver medal for Saskatchewan and we were hosting it was really awesome to see.”

Ultimately, Hofmann thought that silver medal finish paved the way for Saskatchewan’s gold medal wins in 2016 and 2017.

Logan Hofmann, left, likes coaching baseball camp in Saskatchewan.

“I think it set up really well,” said Hofmann. “I knew we had a good age group for those couple of years there going into each tournament.

“A silver medal, it is tough to build off of, but at the same time, one more win and you have gold.”

Greg Brons, who is the high performance director for Baseball Saskatchewan, said what Hofmann has been able to accomplish is inspiring for young players in the province.

“It gives kids the idea that if they work hard the ultimate dream of playing the game professionally can really happen,” said Brons. “Logan is someone players in minor baseball in Saskatchewan can really look up to.

“When he is in the city he often comes back to workout with our academy players and our players benefit from his success as he puts Saskatchewan on the baseball map.”

Brons said it is special when Hofmann comes back to the province and helps out the younger generation.

“It is no surprise that he is willing to do this,” said Brons. “He is a typical athlete from Saskatchewan – raised right and wanting to give back.

Logan Hofmann has his sights set on an MLB future.

“(He) comes from a great community (Muenster) where they support youth sports, and I think this is just the Saskatchewan way – I have seen athletes in all sports giving back. This is why Saskatchewan is such a great province. People like Logan never forget where they came from.”

Hofmann developed strong command of four pitches in his fastball, change-up, curveball and slider. He aims to keep fine tuning all aspects of his game looking towards spring training in 2021.

“I am just getting stronger and also focusing on the mental game of baseball now too just because it is such a big part of it,” said Hofmann. “I am kind of improving everything a little bit every day and just working to prepare for next year.”