Cubs claim seventh SPBL title in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Cubs celebrate their 18U AAA SPBL championship win.

The Saskatoon Cubs got hot at the right time.

Back on July 10, the Cubs dropped a 1-0 decision to the White Butte Broncos in White City. Having lost six out of their last seven games at that time, the Cubs saw their record fall to 14-13.

While the Cubs were still looking solid to earn a spot in the 18U AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Provincial Championship tournament, it was uncertain how they would look once they got to that event, which would be held from July 24 to 27 at Cairns Field and Leakos Field.

The Cubs proceeded to close the regular season with five straight wins to improve to 19-13 and sit fifth in the SPBL’s 18U AAA standings. They kept rolling at provincials posting a 3-1 record in preliminary round play to top Pool A.

Reese Brons fires a pitch to the plate for the Cubs.

On playoff round Sunday on July 27, the Cubs had their best day of the 2025 campaign to date. They blanked the Regina Athletics 10-0 in a semifinal contest with Tyson Dale pitching a complete game victory and hitting a three-run home run. 

In the championship final, the Cubs blew past the Regina White Sox 12-2 with Reese Brons throwing a complete game victory, while driving in five runs on two hits.

All of a sudden, the Cubs are 10-1 in their last 11 games, and they captured their seventh 18U AAA SPBL title in the process. They will take part in Baseball Canada’s 18U National Championship tournament to be played August 14 to 17 in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Our photo roundup for August 2025 is anchored by the exploits of the Cubs. Our lead photo shows the Cubs celebrating with the provincial championship plaque after winning the 18U AAA SPBL title game.

Reid Wandler (#18) has fun after the Cubs 18U AAA SPBL title win.

The second photo sees Brons tossing a pitch to home plate during the championship contest. The third picture shows Reid Wandler having fun during the post-game celebrations jumping into the arms of one of his teammates.

Along with the pictures of Cubs provincial title win, this photo roundup includes more shots from 18U AAA SPBL provincials. The photo roundup also includes other scenes from baseball, football, softball and track and field.

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 18 shots we hope you enjoy.

Update complete

The sign featuring the championship win totals of the Saskatoon Valkyries and Saskatoon Hilltops sits in the north end zone of Saskatoon Minor Football Field. It was recently updated to note the Valkyries have won 10 WWCFL titles after taking the league championship on June 28 against the host Edmonton Arctic Pride at Commonwealth Stadium. The Hilltops have won an impressive and seemingly unbelievable 23 CJFL championships.

Off to the races

Receiver Dylan Borstmayer jets into the open field after making a catch for the Gryphons during Saskatoon Touch Football League action on July 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Gryphons prevailed over the Wolves 47-28.

Pass under pressure

A quarterback from the Mario Bros unloads a pass downfield under the pressure of a rush by a Midwest Sportswear Untouchables pass rusher. The Untouchables got past the Mario Bros 22-11.

Safe!

Saskatoon Diamondbacks base runner Kaden Prosofsky slides in safely at third base during his team’s opening game at the 18U AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Provincial Championship tournament on July 24 at Leakos Field. The Diamondbacks prevailed over the Saskatoon Giants 5-4 in this contest that required two extra innings.

Home sweet home

Saskatoon Giants base runner Emmett Goetz crosses home plate during his team’s final preliminary round game of the 18U AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Provincial Championship tournament on July 26 at Leakos Field. The Giants fell 4-2 in this contest to the Swift Current 57s. The two squads met in a standings tiebreaker game, which the Giants claimed 14-9. The Giants proceeded to fall in a provincial semifinal 5-4 to the Regina White Sox.

Berries home game fun

A trio of youngsters take part in a fun promotional race at a Saskatoon Berries WCBL regular season game on July 26 at Cairns Field. Part of the reason the Berries attract big crowds to their games is because the hold creative and fun promotions throughout their contests.

Perfect bunt

Saskatoon Cubs hitter Kaden Dimen lays down a textbook bunt during the title game of the 18U AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Provincial Championship tournament on July 27 at Cairns Field. Dimen and the Cubs rolled past the Regina White Sox 12-2 for the win.

Cubs are the champs

The Saskatoon Cubs pose for the customary team photo after winning the title game of the 18U AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Provincial Championship tournament on July 27 at Cairns Field. This was the first provincial championship win for the Cubs since 2022 and their seventh in team history.

Opening ceremonies salute for Moore

Dave Moore, front left, received a wall mount from Softball Canada to recognize his contribution by umpiring in the sport for 50 years. Moore received the recognition during the opening ceremonies for the Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship and the U20 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournaments held at Bob Van Impe Stadium on July 30.

Hard line drive

Saskatoon Selects hitter Rayn Ray drives a hit through the infield during a preliminary round contest at the U20 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament the evening of July 30 at Joe Gallagher Field. The Selects would drop a 10-1 decision to Equipe Quebec.

Eye on the ball

Catcher Abby Burgess of the Saskatoon Prairie Pirates tracks the ball into her glove during action at the Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 1 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Pirates downed the Saskatoon Tigers 11-6 for a third win that was part of a four-game winning streak.

Going yard

Hitter Lyndsay Koscielski of the Carnduff Southeast Steelers nails a three-run home run during a first versus second place page playoff game on August 2 at Bob Van Impe Stadium at the Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. Koscielski’s homer powered the Steelers to a 6-1 win over Equipe Quebec and earn a berth in the event’s championship game.

Happy home arrival

Hitter Lyndsay Koscielski of the Carnduff Southeast Steelers jumps on home plate to complete a jaunt around the bases after hitting a three-run home run in a first versus second place page playoff game on August 2 at Bob Van Impe Stadium at the Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. Koscielski’s teammates were waiting to celebrate the round tripper for the veteran shortstop.

Special delivery

Chatsworth Longhorns pitcher Joseph Weiler unloads an off-speed pitch to home plate during the title game of the U20 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 3 at Joe Gallagher Field. In a battle of Ontario, the Longhorns downed the Plattsville Lightning 6-4 to take the tournament championship.

Stealth snag bronze

The Saskatoon Stealth pose for a customary team photo after being awarded their bronze medals following the conclusion of the Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 3 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Stealth finished the tournament with a 6-3 record.

Let it rip for record win 45

Saskatoon Berries pitcher Klevert Martina goes through his delivery to send a pitch to home plate during a WCBL regular season contest on August 3 at Cairns Field. The Berries downed the Medicine Hat Mavericks 14-10 after 10 innings in this contest for their 45th win, which is a new record for the most wins in one WCBL regular season. The Berries would top the final WCBL regular season standings with a 46-9 mark.

Ready for launch

A local area track and field athlete launches a shot put during a practice session on August 7 at the Track and Field Track. The practice session was for athletes who will take part in the Canada Summer Games that started August 8 and runs through to August 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The athletics competition is set for the second week of the event.

Perfecting all points of a throw

A local area track and field athlete works on all skill aspects of throwing a javelin during a practice session on August 7 at the Track and Field Track. The javelin thrower is a member of Saskatchewan’s Track and Field Team who will compete at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Going Yard’s Dean aims to make a difference as a coach

Instructor enjoys working with all ages at baseball academy

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Marshall Dean is a popular instructor with Going Yard.

“He cares.”

That is the biggest message Marshall Dean hopes all the baseball players he instructs take with them.

“I like to think my players know I care,” said Dean. “It is not just my job.

“I care about them both on the field and in other aspects of life. I want to teach them how to be men from an early age, not just go through the motions, but work with a purpose. Every day is an opportunity.

“I hope they grow up to just be strong, hard-nosed baseball players. That is what I want is competitive kids that do things the right way and approach the game the right way.”

Having grown up playing minor baseball in Saskatoon and moving on to play at the post-secondary level as a pitcher, Dean reflected that he had a great experience playing baseball. When his playing career wrapped up, Dean wanted to give back to the game by becoming a coach. He aimed to help young players playing the sport in Saskatoon to have similar positive experiences with the game like he had.

After coming on to be an instructor with the Going Yard Baseball Academy in 2016, Dean has developed a reputation for bringing a great joy to training sessions working with players in a wide range of age groups. Some coaches find they work better with either younger players or older players at the post-secondary and professional levels.

As for Dean, the 33-year-old finds he is at his best when he working with players from all different age groups on a weekly basis. He has fun helping players get better, and you would be hard pressed to not see a big smile running across his face during daily practice sessions at the Indoor Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

“It helps you as a coach,” said Dean, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighed 190 pounds in his playing days. “It helps you learn different aspects of the game and how to approach different players.

“It has been really fun to coach kids at a young age, set that standard and expectation early and watch them grow into the players that they are now. I’d say that is what I’m most proud of as a coach is the guys that I’ve coached from the time they were 10-years-old and now they’re 16 and 17-years-old men ready to go to college.”

Marshall Dean instructs a group of young pitchers.

No matter how different the ages of the players he works with are, Dean said his approach to working with those athletes is pretty consistent.

“It is a lot different, but it is a lot the same,” said Dean. “It is the same standard you set as far as what the expectation is at practice and the right way to approach the game and your work every day.

“Obviously, it is gentler at the younger age groups, but it is really the same. You practice the right way, you play the right way and you approach every day the right way.”

Of course, Dean only envisioned himself being a player, when he started in the sport. When he discovered the game, his motivation to be in the sport was to be like his two older brothers.

“I’m the youngest of three boys from an athletic family,” said Dean. “My brothers played baseball.

“I fell in love with it early going to their games hanging out in foul territory playing around and just stuck with it. I figured I had a pretty good arm, and it’d be a good option for me.”

He took to being a pitcher early on when he began playing the game. A lot of Dean’s love for the game of baseball comes from the competition of pitcher versus batter.

“It is a thinking man’s game,” said Dean. “It is not just straightforward.

“You have to use your mind a little bit. I always enjoyed that. I enjoy the battle inside the game pitcher versus hitter, pitch to pitch.

“I enjoy the thinking part of it.”

Marshall Dean gives a pointer during a fielding drill.

In Saskatoon’s minor baseball ranks, Dean played out of the Blue Jays zone before joining the Saskatoon Cubs 18U AAA team. With the Blue Jays and the Cubs, Dean had Todd Plaxton as a coach through most of those years in the sport.

Dean said Plaxton was his mentor playing the game, while growing up. The hurler credited a lot of his success to his long time minor baseball coach from his Saskatoon playing days.

“He (Plaxton) coached us the right way really early,” said Dean. “He taught you to respect the game, play hard and work hard.

“I think that is a big part of why I do this today is trying to bring some of that back to these boys and making sure they’re viewing the game the right way, practising and playing the right way.”

While suiting up for the Cubs, Dean got his first experience of playing baseball with adults. From 2006 to 2008, Dean played for the now defunct Saskatoon Yellow Jackets in what is now known as the Western Canadian Baseball League.

These days the WCBL is strictly a summer wood bat league for players from the post-secondary ranks. Back in 2006 to 2008, the WCBL was a summer league in an era where teams could use players from all sorts of age groups, if they were good enough to be on the team. Dean did face players in their late 20s and early 30s with the Yellow Jackets.

“It was pretty wild being a teenager in that league,” said Dean. “Todd (Plaxton) always used to say you’re going to grow some whiskers, and I definitely did.

“I mean playing against grown men you learn a lot really quick good things and bad things.”

After graduating from high school, Dean played for Colby Community College Trojans in Colby, Kansas, from 2009 to 2011. He moved on to throw for the University of Central Missouri Mules in Warrensburg, Missouri. With the U of Central Missouri, Dean completed his bachelor’s degree in physical education and coaching.

Marshall Dean set to the ball during a fielding drill.

In the summer months, Dean returned to Canada to play in the WCBL for the Moose Jaw Miller Express. During those post-secondary playing days, Dean started thinking seriously about becoming a coach in the sport.

“I realized I wasn’t going to be a professional baseball player,” said Dean. “Around the time I was about 20 or 21, I realized that the dream wasn’t necessarily going to come true.

“I just wanted to help guys from Saskatchewan reach their goals. If you have a goal to play college ball or whatever that goal is in baseball, I just wanted to help out back home.”

Upon returning to Saskatoon, Dean started working as an education assistant as a substitute and later full time at Caroline Robins Community School and Dr. John G. Egnatoff School.

He originally wanted to find a coaching spot with the Cubs, but he joined the staff of the Saskatoon Diamondbacks 18U AAA team after getting a call from Matt Kosteniuk. Kosteniuk brought Dean to Going Yard.

Dean has loved every bit of his time with Going Yard starting with the old training warehouse the academy was originally located at on Alberta Avenue before moving to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds on March 1, 2019.

“It is really cool to work with your buddies that you grew up with,” said Dean. “Obviously, it is really cool to coach with a guy like (MLB alumnus) Andrew (Albers) who you looked up to growing up, and now, he is just your co-worker.

“That has been fantastic. Some of the younger guys that we have coming up that have spent time in professional baseball or very high-level baseball, it is really fun to watch them come back and again just be your co-workers.”

Dean has enjoyed seeing Going Yard grow over the years that included developing the Goats travel team program. Looking to the future, he believes his passion for coaching will always be there.

Marshall Dean gives post-practice talk with a group of players.

“I’ll do this as long as I can,” said Dean. “It is awesome to go to work with your friends every day.

“It is awesome to do what you love. I think a lot of people would look at this job and be jealous of what we get to do every day. We get to have fun with the boys.

“We get to help them grow and watch them grow. I’ll do this for absolutely as long as I can.”

For more information on the Going Yard Baseball Academy, feel free to check out their website at www.gyba.ca.

Forrest gets past surprise medical issues to play final Cubs season

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Ethan Forrest sets to throw a pitch for the Cubs.

Ethan Forrest wants to create one last set of good memories in his final season with the Saskatoon Cubs, but he never foresaw the campaign taking an unexpected turn before it began.

As the 17-year-old second baseman and relief pitcher was training at Inside Pitch Saskatoon over the winter months, he started to notice what he believed was regular pain in his right throwing arm. At first, Forrest thought it was something that was going to go away.

The pain never went away. At a Cubs practice shortly before the under-18 AAA baseball club began playing exhibition games, Forrest asked the team’s coaches about the pain he was experiencing and a pattern that had developed on his arm. The coaches told their veteran player to see a doctor.

“It got really bad in kind of my armpit area, kind of the lat area, and that is when I knew it wasn’t any normal pain,” said Forrest. “I could hardly lift my arm.

“That is when we went into the hospital, and then I was diagnosed with a blood clot. A couple of weeks later, it was removed, but they found I had thoracic outlet syndrome. It is usually a pitcher syndrome.

“Max Scherzer in the MLB is just suffering from it right now. He is just getting off rehab for it. It is just kind of where you get a little bit of kind of build up of scar tissue from overuse and right under your clavicle bone there in your neck, and then it pinches off and kind of just forms a clot or you’ll have nerve damage.”

Scherzer, who is an ace right-handed pitcher who helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series last year, started his MLB season with a lengthy stay on the injured list with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome in his throwing arm. He saw his first action with the Rangers on June 23.

When Forrest first got his diagnosis, he thought he might miss the Cubs season.

Ethan Forrest was diagnosed with a blood clot.

“When they told me I had a blood clot, it is a pretty scary thing,” said Forrest, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 170 pounds. “The pain went away really quickly with the blood thinners, and I was playing almost a week later in pre-season.

“I didn’t know if it was going to be months or a few days. I was scared to miss the season for sure.”

Forrest has been thankful that everything that has been done to treat his blood clot and manage his thoracic outlet syndrome has worked. It allowed him to return to action with the Cubs in quick order.

Having just graduated Grade 12 from Holy Cross High School, Forrest has committed to joining the Miles Community College Pioneers Baseball Team in Miles City, Montana. He will play second base and third base for the Pioneers, who are part of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II ranks.

At the moment, Forrest is still taking blood thinners every day, and that has allowed him to play for the Cubs. He is considering options to further deal with his thoracic outlet syndrome after the Cubs season comes to an end.

“I just kind of have to be careful now,” said Forrest, who will turn 18-years-old on July 29. “Now, I play and lift weights with no pain anymore.

“The next step we are doing is just deciding with surgery and stuff before I head to college and what that is going to look like. We have to decide if we’re going to go with surgery now or not. We don’t really know yet.”

Once Forrest’s medical diagnosis was clear, Cubs co-head coach Jordan Frey said the team’s focus was to help the veteran standout get healed up.

“Obviously, it wasn’t something we wanted to deal with or foresaw coming, but it was something we did have to deal with,” said Frey. “We talked with him lots and wanted to make sure that he had our support as a coaching staff and as a team.

Ethan Forrest is dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome.

“Whatever decision he wanted to go down whether it was getting surgery or not being able to finish the rest of the year, we supported that decision. His health came first and foremost. Just to see him back on the field just shows how much he cares about the game and wants to be on our team and be a leader.”

Frey said the Cubs coaches weren’t worried if Forrest had to miss a few games or a lengthy amount of time to possibly the whole season. The team’s coaches were pumped, when Forrest made a quick return.

With that noted, Forrest’s workload on the pitching mound has been managed as he comes back from his medical challenges. When Forrest has come in to play relief, the Cubs coaches at first tried to limit him to an inning or two.

On June 30 at Cairns Field, the Cubs brain trust allowed Forrest to go a little longer. Forrest pitched an efficient three scoreless innings with one strikeout leaving the mound with the Cubs holding a 4-1 lead over the Saskatoon Diamondbacks after six innings. The Diamondbacks rallied scoring four runs in the top of the seventh to pull out a 5-4 victory after Forrest left the game.

Frey said the Cubs coaches were pretty inspired to get the superb three innings from Forrest.

“We know what we are getting with him on the mound,” said Frey. “He is going to be consistent.

“He is going to throw strikes. Thirty-three pitches in three innings is nothing we’re ever going to complain about. It is just one of those things we have to get him ramped back up again to a higher pitch count.”

Forrest has been a regular when it comes to playing second base, and Frey said his graduating veteran has been outstanding at that position.

Ethan Forrest has played regularly for the Cubs this season.

“Infielding wasn’t something he needed to take a step back on,” said Frey. “The throwing part he did a little bit.

“Obviously playing second base, it helps with a little bit of a shorter throw. Just being able to have him out there and being a third-year kid, it helps our team. You can see when he is in the lineup.

“The boys absolutely love having him around. Even when he was hurt, he was just on the bench trying to help out anyway he could.”

On offence, Forrest has gone 19-for-67 at the plate for a .284 average with 16 runs batted in as the Cubs have built a 18-8 record to battle for first place in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League. Looking at everything he has dealt with, Forrest is pleased with his season so far.

“I feel like it is going pretty good,” said Forrest. “We’re first in the league team wise, and we’re all having a good time this year.

“The team is performing really well. Personally, I think I am having a decent year. I always have stuff to improve on obviously on the offensive side.

“I’m happy with how my pitching is going right now for sure. It has been a fun year overall for sure.”

In 2022, Forrest took part in as many Cubs practices as he could as an affiliate player. He played that campaign full time with the Saskatoon Cardinal Sluggers Under-18 AA team, and he was around Cubs when they won their Saskatchewan title in that campaign.

He moved up to the Cubs on a full-time basis in 2023 as they had another stellar year but were unable to make it to the provincial final. Forrest believes the Cubs have all the pieces to win another provincial title and qualify for nationals, or make the provincial final and earn a spot to Westerns.

Ethan Forrest believes his Cubs can win a provincial title.

Forrest said a lot of the best memories he has have been made with the Cubs. Due to the challenges he has faced on the medical front this season, Forrest believes he is cherishing his final campaign with the team in a good new way, because he hasn’t had to spend large portions of the season out of the lineup.

“As a third year especially, it is my last kind of summer season here in Saskatoon,” said Forrest. “It is going to be tough one.

“With the clot as well, I’m fortunate enough to be healthy right now and playing with no pain. Definitely, I am very appreciative to be playing right now.”

Cubs’ Stromberg packs a punch with small size

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Osher Stromberg works behind the plate as the Cubs catcher.

Osher Stromberg said being small has its advantages when it comes to playing baseball.

“Really how I see it, I get a lot of walks because of it,” said Stromberg with a chuckle. “It really helps me, if anything.”

The 16-year-old second-year catcher with the Saskatoon Cubs baseball team stands 5-foot-4 and weighs 130 pounds. He is the smallest player in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s under-18 AAA level. Due to standing only 5-foot-4, opposing pitchers have a harder time hitting the strike zone when Stromberg is at the plate helping his on base percentage.

With that noted, Cubs assistant coach Jordan Frey said people who see the Cubs play quickly find out Stromberg is a good player and one of the top catchers at the under-18 AAA level in Saskatchewan.

“I think his game calling is probably one of the best in the league,” said Frey. “Obviously, he is not the biggest guy behind the plate, but he has a really good arm.

“He is able to get outs for us. He is a leader. He blocks the balls back there no matter what.

“We can play him at catcher when it is plus-35 out for two games, and he doesn’t complain. He puts the gear on, and he gives it 110 per cent every day.”

Frey said the Cubs coaches were always excited about bringing Stromberg to the Cubs believing they were going to get a good player. The bench boss added the squad had to use some misdirection in order to bring him to the team.

Osher Stromberg, left, chats with pitcher Jared Tameling.

In the Saskatoon Zone for minor baseball, players entering their 15-year-old seasons going to the under-18 AAA level are divided between the city’s three teams in the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Giants via a draft. Players go though a tryout process including skill session evaluations and playing in exhibition games amongst the group trying out.

The tryout process usually occurs in September for the upcoming season in the next calendar year. After the September tryout process is held, the teams conduct a draft to distribute players.

Frey said Stromberg stood out, but the Cubs coaches put up a façade about being worried about Stromberg’s small size when they crossed paths with the coaches of the Diamondbacks and Giants. The Cubs coaches hoped that might create some doubt among the Diamondbacks and Giants coaches when it came to picking Stromberg, which would allow the Cubs to land him.

“That was kind of way we got him,” said Frey. “We had to fib a little bit and tell other teams he was a little small, and we were not sure how he will be.

“That was the way we got him was by making sure that other teams didn’t want him height wise. I think it has paid off for us.”

Stromberg said he became interested in playing baseball around age nine after his grandpa took him to a fastpitch softball tournament. He wanted to play the type of game where you used a bat to hit the ball, and it stuck with him how players in both sports were pumped to play.

“I just liked how everyone was so excited about it and really got amped up in the game,” said Stromberg.

Stromberg added there was another softball influence that drew him into becoming a catcher in baseball.

Osher Stromberg sets up for an at bat with the Cubs.

“At first, I was scared of the ball,” said Stromberg. “My mom told me she was a catcher when she played softball, so that is kind of what got me into that.”

Last season, Stromberg lived through a dream rookie campaign with the Cubs. The Cubs finished first overall in the SPBL standings with a 24-6 record and won the SPBL championship tournament hosted at Cairns and Leakos Fields.

In the tournament’s championship game played on July 24, 2022 at Cairns Field, the Cubs downed the Muenster-based East Central Red Sox 12-6 in front of about 1,000 spectators.

“That was pretty cool having everyone cheering for us, because we were the hometown team,” said Stromberg. “It was fun.”

The Cubs advanced to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals that were held in Grande Prairie, Alta., from August 18 to 21, 2022. They finished with a 4-2 overall record falling in the event’s bronze medal game 5-4 in extra innings to the Nanaimo, B.C., based Mid Island Pirates.

Overall, Stromberg couldn’t ask for a better experience for his first season with the Cubs.

“It is awesome,” said Stromberg. “I love all the players.

“We all blend really well together. The coaches are really into it. It is just all-around fun times.

“That was pretty cool being a part of the team that goes to nationals. Everyone was talking about it. To be able to be a part of that was pretty cool.”

This season Stromberg has called games well for his pitchers, made the throw to second base consistently to get base stealers out, stroked the ball well at the plate and run the base paths with conviction. He said it is more serious being a catcher at the under-18 AAA level compared to being a catcher in younger age groups.

Osher Stromberg looks for an opening to get a steal.

“At younger levels, they say anyone can be a catcher, but at this level, you really can’t,” said Stromberg, who will be going into his Grade 12 school year in the fall at Evan Hardy Collegiate. “You have to be able to focus and just really know what you are doing back there.”

When it comes calling games behind the plate, Stromberg said one of the big keys is communicating with the pitchers who take the mound to get a sense of where they are at that day.

“It is just seeing how the pitcher is feeling and what they can throw and what is good,” said Stromberg, who trains with Going Yard Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex during the off-season. “(It is seeing) the hitters and how they hit certain pitches and what the count is.

“There are lots of factors that go into that.”

This season the Cubs have built a 16-5 record and are one of five teams in a dogfight for first place. The SPBL Under-18 AAA championship tournament will be held once again at Cairns and Leakos Fields from July 28 to 30. The winner of that event advances to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals, which will be held August 17 to 20 in Fort McMurray, Alta. 

As the season hits its stretch run, Frey said Stromberg will play a big part in how the Cubs finish out.

“It is going to be huge just the part with Osher catching,” said Frey, who added the Cubs will also use Jared Tameling at catcher too in provincials. “It is tough going down the stretch when it gets hot, and you’re catching day in and day out.

“It is nice that we have two catchers that we can use. You usually need two or three to get through a provincial weekend. He (Stromberg) works with all our pitchers.

“He is great with them. He is just a natural born leader. It is something that if he didn’t have it would put us behind the eight-ball a little bit.”

Osher Stromberg, centre, and the Cubs celebrate a win.

Stromberg is looking forward to playing out the stretch run and the SPBL championship tournament at home. He believes a few more good memories can be made.

“As a team, we’ve been playing good,” said Stromberg. “We’ve had a little less on the bats than last year, but defensively we’ve been great.

“Pitching wise, we’ve been great. We’re looking forward to the rest of it. I’m so excited.

“I’m ready to play in that provincial ball and having the fans in it and being really just into games. There is lots of tension in those games (last year). It is going to be great.”

Sweet happenings in photos championship season style

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Cloverdale Fury make history with a national title win.

’Tis the championship season on the diamonds.

During the months of July and August, post-season action hit full gear on our baseball and softball diamonds. Various provincial champions and often national championships were presented on our grounds during that span of time.

On Sunday, the gold medal at Softball Canada’s Under-15 Girls’ Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament was presented to the Cloverdale Fury from British Columbia at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Our lead photo shows part of the celebration from the Fury’s win.

That event marked the 25^th time a Canadian championship tournament has been held at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. It was also the first time Softball Canada contested an Under-15 Girls’ Canadian Fast Pitch Championship.

Over the last 31 days, we got to see various local area teams capture provincial titles. The Saskatoon Cubs capped a first place regular season finish by winning the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s under-18 AAA championship crown at Cairns Field.

The Saskatoon G-Force took Softball Saskatchewan’s women’s A provincial championship with a dramatic finish at Joe Gallagher Field. They along with the Saskatoon Shock under-23 women’s team will play in Softball Canada’s women’s nationals that start Wednesday on our grounds along with Softball Canada’s under-17 boys’ nationals.

The Track and Field Track continued to be busy hosting various meets, and we got to host the softball and track and field portions of the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

These photos 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. We also have a check in from the Shock.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 12 shots we hope you enjoy.

Shock sweep their way to Under-23 A Saskatchewan title

The Saskatoon Shock pose for the traditional team photo after winning Softball Saskatchewan’s Under-23 A Women’s Provincial Championship at Bob Van Impe Stadium on July 9. The Shock blanked the Saskatoon Sabres 5-0 in a night contest to take Game 2 of a best-of-three championship series sweeping the set 2-0. We pass on a big thanks to Shock head coach Jon Equina for submitting this photo.

Up and over

An athlete leaps a hurdle during action at the Bob Adams Saskatchewan Track and Field Championships on July 16, 2022 at the Track and Field Track. The three-day event hosted athletes in a wide range of age groups.

Driving one into the gap

Saskatoon Cubs outfielder Mason McCleary drives a shot into a gap in the outfield during action in the under-18 AAA championship game of the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League on July 24 at Cairns Field. McCleary had three hits in that contest as the Cubs downed the Muenster-based East Central Red Sox 12-6.

Cubs go all the way in SPBL

The Saskatoon Cubs have had a special season under the spring and summer sun in 2022. They finished first in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s under-18 AAA regular season standings with a 24-6 record. They claimed the SPBL’s under-18 AAA provincial title on July 24 at Cairns Field and posed for this customary team picture after that victory. The Cubs will represent Saskatchewan at Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals that run August 18 to 21 in Grande Prairie, Alta.

Gem in the clutch

Saskatoon G-Force pitcher Jordan Kulbida always has a great day on the softball diamond even when the pressure is at its highest. On July 24 at Joe Gallagher Field, Kulbida threw a gem as her G-Force posted a 1-0 victory over the Carnduff Southeast Steelers to claim Softball Saskatchewan Women’s A Provincial Championship. The G-Force took the game with a walk-off run in the bottom of the seventh.

Walk-off run gives G-Force provincial title

Adrian Laskowski scored the winning run in this photo to allow the Saskatoon G-Force to win Softball Saskatchewan’s Women’s A Provincial Championship. The G-Force claimed the provincial final 1-0 with Laskowski’s walk-off run in the bottom of the seventh to down the Carnduff Southeast Steelers on July 24 at Joe Gallagher Field.

G-Force all smiles with provincial banner

The Saskatoon G-Force were all smiles as they took part in the traditional team picture after winning the title game of Softball Saskatchewan’s Women’s A Provincial Championship tournament on July 24 at Joe Gallagher field.

Focused effort

An athlete gets set to make the perfect throw in the shot put on July 26 at the Track and Field Track as part of the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games. The track and field and softball portions of those games were held on our grounds.

Supporters pack stands for Tony Cote Games

Spectators came out in big numbers when we hosted the softball and track and field portions of the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games in late July. In this photo, fans pack the stands checking out action at the Track and Field Track on July 27.

The Hustlers are here

The Saskatoon Hustlers make their entrance at Bob Van Impe Stadium for the opening ceremonies at Softball Canada’s Under-15 Girls’ Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 3. The Hustlers posted a 3-5 record playing in a tough field of 21 teams.

Home run lap

Tegan Harnett gives a huge smile rounding third base after hitting a home run for British Columbia’s Cloverdale Fury during a night playoff game at Bob Van Impe Stadium on August 6 during Softball Canada’s Under-15 Girls’ Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The Fury would win that contest to advance to the tournament’s gold medal game the next day.

Fury accomplish Softball Canada first

The Cloverdale Fury pose for the customary team photo after winning the gold medal game at Softball Canada’s Under-15 Girls’ Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 7 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. In an all British Columbia clash, the Fury downed Surrey Storm 11-4 in a game that ended after five innings due to the mercy rule. The Fury finished the tournament with a 9-0 record. The Fury win marked the first time Softball Canada awarded a national title at the under-15 girls’ level.

Frey on fire for Cubs

Right-handed hurler one of SPBL’s best

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Parker Frey unloads a pitch for the Cubs.

Parker Frey is soaking in playing his final season in the spring and summer sun with the Saskatoon Cubs.

For the past two campaigns, the right-handed hurler has been one of the top pitchers at the under-18 AAA level in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League. This season, he has been a key cog in helping the Cubs chase first place on the provincial circuit.

“It has been fun,” said Frey. “We’re a fun group of guys.

“We can joke around when needed, but we get down to business when we also need to.”

Currently, the Cubs are holding top spot in the regular season standings with a 19-4 mark with seven games to go. The Cubs will host the SPBL’s under-18 AAA Provincial Championship tournament July 22 to 24 at Cairns Field and Leakos Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Over six appearances on the mound this season, Frey has posted a 4-0 record, a 2.25 ERA, 37 strikeouts and eight walks in 28 innings. He is putting together a solid follow-up campaign from his 2021 season, where in nine appearances, he posted a 7-1 record, a 2.25 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 11 walks in 37 and one-third innings.

When he is on the mound, Frey throws a strong slider and change-up, while locating his fastball well. He said his finesse pitches have helped him out well the past two campaigns.

“I’d definitely say my off-speed (pitches are working),” said Frey, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 165 pounds. “I’m not a guy who can blow the fastball by everyone.

“My off-speed pitches are definitely a big part of my pitching.”

On top of having a good season on the mound, Frey is having a solid campaign hitting, as he is 16-of-45 at the dish for a .356 average with 10 RBI. Frey has made a sizable improvement in that department from 2021, when he was 11-of-42 at the plate for a .262 average with six RBI.

Parker Frey is batting .356 at the plate this season.

At the plate, Frey keeps his approach simple.

“I’m more just trying to put the ball in play and good things happen,” said Frey. “It is all I am trying to do at the plate right now.”

Frey started played organized baseball at about age five or six following his older brother, Jordan, into the sport. Since Jordan was a pitcher, Parker became a pitcher too.

Over the years, Parker developed his own love for pitching and the game of baseball. His favourite hurlers to watch on television in the MLB included New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom and late Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay.

“I kind of think I like it a lot better than fielding and everything else,” said Parker. “I like pitching more, so that is why I went after that.”

For most of his baseball career, Parker has been coached by his father, Scott. Scott is the head coach of the Cubs and Jordan is serving as an assistant coach with the team too.

Since joining the Cubs in 2020, Scott said Parker has made some great overall strides.

“We were really just looking at using him as a pitcher,” said Scott. “He put on some inches and grew into a fairly tall kid that we could use in a few different situations.

“This year his bat has come alive, and we’ve been able to use him more in the field and also on the mound.”

On the mound, Scott said Parker has benefited from working with Cory Hall at Inside Pitch Saskatoon and consistently hits the strike zone with all his throws.

“He (Parker) works to get ahead,” said Scott. “He doesn’t have anything overpowering, so he has worked on developing a couple of different pitches that he can locate well and get hitters out.

Parker Frey rounds the bases for the Cubs.

“He is extremely efficient. We can count on him for five or six or seven innings most times. He has just kept doing that year after year after year.

“Parker is location first. You get the pitch in on guys’ hands or get it away and try to work with pitching to contact and just letting your defence play.”

When it comes to Parker’s improvement at the plate, Scott said it helped that his son had a growth spurt in the off-season.

“He grew and that helps,” said Scott. “He got stronger.

“I think just his approach to hitting is better as he gets into good counts, and he has a pretty good eye. He is able to get the pitch he wants and can put a good swing on it.”

Parker has enjoyed being coached by his father over the years and also by his older brother in recent years. The ace pitcher added the challenging player and coach talks come when he is not playing well, so he is kept accountable by his father and older brother.

“At times it is tough, because they are harder on me,” said Parker. “It is nice, and I like it.”

Scott admits he has challenging talks with Parker over the years that comes from the relationship between player and coach. Overall, the father appreciates the special opportunity he has had to coach his son.

“We’ve been together a long time and I have been coaching him a lot,” said Scott. “It is always a challenge being dad and being coach.

“There are some tough talks at home and some tough talks in the dugout, but it has been a really enjoyable experience and a lot of fun.”

Following this season, Parker, who just graduated from St. Joseph High School in June, will continue his baseball career playing for the Taft College Cougars baseball team in Taft, California. Before he thinks about the fall, Parker is focused on accomplishing big goals with the Cubs that include making it to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 National Championship tournament, which will be held August 18 to 21 in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Park Frey will join the Taft College Cougars in the fall.

“I think winning a provincial title would be cool,” said Parker, who will turn 18-years-old on August 13. “Going to nationals has to be the main goal for us.”

He is looking forward to his future with the Cougars but admits he will miss the Cubs.

“I’m super excited,” said Parker. “I can’t wait to get down there, but at the same time, it will be tough trying to leave this team.”

For more information about the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League including league schedules, box scores and statistics, feel free to check out the league website at www.spbl.ca.