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

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

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

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

The 17-year-old power hitter and first base infielder credits the fall and winter season travel team program for creating unique opportunities for her in the sport of softball. She always loved softball from an early age after her father, Steve Prokopchuk, convinced her to give the sport a try, and the 222’s would come into her life a handful of years later.

“Honesty, I think my dad just kind of was like, “Oh, do you want to try T-ball one day?’” said Prokopchuk reflecting on her start. “I was like, ‘Yeah, for sure.’

“I kind of just started, and I instantly liked it. I got to the point where I quit all my other sports and started to become more competitive in softball. I started out as a pitcher for the 222’s.

“I kind of just discovered that I liked hitting and kind of passed on the pitching aspect. Here I am now, and I’m a hitter and an infielder.”

Prokopchuk used to play hockey, soccer and did some horseback along with softball while growing up. At around age 11 turning 12, Prokopchuk focused on softball as her lone sport, and she joined up with the 222’s program.

“I like getting to meet new people and having new teammates,” said Prokopchuk, who stands 5-foot-7. “I think for me the 222’s brought a lot of friendships that I wouldn’t have had now.

“The coaches and everyone that I got to meet to help me further my career were really nice.”

Olivia Prokopchuk drives a ball into the net.

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

She is also slated to play for Team Saskatchewan at the 2025 Canada Summer Games that run this coming August 8 to 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Prokopchuk said the 222’s, who are based out of the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds, had a big impact on her in being able to get the chance to play softball at the post-secondary level and play in the Canada Summer games.

“I definitely learned a lot with them,” said Prokopchuk. “They definitely were one of the biggest reasons as to why I am where I am now.”

Prokopchuk credits longtime 222’s coaches in Ryan Ray and Keith Mackintosh on being the biggest influences in helping her out in the sport. She said Ray was important in helping her with the mental side of hitting.

“He (Ray) just helps me understand the game and for me to not get in my head when something doesn’t go my way, which is definitely a bit part of the game,” said Prokopchuk, who is slated to graduate from Bishop James Mahoney High School this coming June. “Softball is a mental game.

“It can definitely take over, but he (Ryan Ray) has definitely helped me understand and realize that it is OK.”

Prokopchuk said Mackintosh was huge in helping her improve in a couple of areas of her game.

Olivia Prokopchuk makes a throw from first base.

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

With the work she put in with the 222’s, Prokopchuk was able to sign with the Bantams. She said it was fun setting up and getting the pictures done for the social media posts of her signing announcement.

“It was like having everyone there that has been there for you the whole time and knowing that you accomplished what you’ve worked so hard for over the past however many years has finally come true,” said Prokopchuk. “It was pretty nice.”

She elected to join the Bantams for a variety of reasons.

“I knew I wanted to go far (away), and I knew that if I wanted to go far, I might as well go somewhere in the sun,” said Prokopchuk. “The coaches were really good with me.

“They were good with my parents. They were just well-oriented down there I feel. When I went down, everyone was good with the players.

“The players had a close relationship with them, which was definitely a big thing for me.”

Prokopchuk said there was a natural comfort vibe feeling between herself and the South Carolina program.

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

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

“I did fall in love with it when I went down there, so it was a very quick and easy call and decision to make.”

While Prokopchuk has experienced her share of highs, she encountered a new challenge with a major injury. 

During a training session in late 2024, Prokopchuk tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.

She is focused on her road to recovery, which will allow her to play in the upcoming Canada Summer Games and the 2025-26 campaign with the Bantams. Still, Prokopchuk said she was a bit nervous at first when it came to starting out on the comeback trail.

“I was definitely shaky at the start, because I wasn’t expecting it,” said Prokopchuk. “I had never gotten hurt before, so this was a big thing for me, but I kind of just came to the realization that it has to happen to everyone.

“If it didn’t happen now, it was going to happen at some point. I am just focusing on rehab and getting back and pushing myself to get back in time for what I want to more so accomplish down the road. That is the good thing is that straight out of rehab I get to do something that I wanted to do and that I’ve worked hard for.”

In the future, Prokopchuk still wants to be part of Softball Canada’s national team system at some point in time. When her playing days are complete, Prokopchuk wants to embark on a career that will help her stay around the sport.

Olivia Prokopchuk drives a ball into the outfield.

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

Overall, she has appreciated the support of Saskatoon’s softball community during her journey in the sport. Prokopchuk said that support has also helped her realize her dreams in the sport.

“The softball community here is so nice and welcoming,” said Prokopchuk. “Everyone is here for a purpose and wants to be here, which is really encouraging to us and the little ones below us.

“I enjoy it.”

Veeman, Dallaire lead Lions’ Canada Winter Games medal parade

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Luca Veeman, right, leads Fergus English down a straightaway.

Luca Veeman and Serena Dallaire thrived under the new experience of the Canada Winter Games spotlight.

Together, they led the medal haul for the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club and Team Saskatchewan at the Multi-sport event that took place from February 18 to March 5 across Prince Edward Island with long track speed skating taking place at the Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S. Both were competing in their first Canada Winter Games.

Veeman, who was Saskatchewan’s flag bearer for the opening ceremonies, took home five medals in long track speed skating. Dallaire captured a pair of long track medals.

In total, Lions skaters accounted for eight of Saskatchewan’s 20 medals at the Canada Winter Games. The medal wins gave Saskatchewan a fast start at the games as speed skating was held during the first week of competition from February 18 to February 25.

Veeman won gold in the men’s mass start race, silver in the men’s 1,500-metre race, and bronze medals in the 1,000-metre and 5,000-metre men’s races. In the men’s team pursuit, Veeman teamed with Lions members Bon Lowe, Fergus English and Daniel Pauli to claim the silver medal. Lowe captured silver in the men’s 5,000-metre race edging out Veeman by just over six seconds.

Earlier in February, Veeman skated for Canada at the International Skating Union’s Junior World Cup Final and World Junior Speed Skating Championships both held in Inzell, Germany. Those international appearances lead to Veeman being the flag bearer. Having represented Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Summer Games that were held in the Niagara Region of Ontario in August of 2022, the 17-year-old had a great appreciation for being named the flag bearer.

“Being nominated as the flag bearer is almost hard to believe,” said Veeman, who stands 5-foot-10. “I went to the summer games in Niagara in 2022.

“I got to do the closing ceremonies and walk out with Team Sask. It was cool moment where I kind of realized what it means to represent your province. It was a real cool thing to experience those closing ceremonies, and it just made it so much more special walking in and leading Team Sask at these games.

“It was definitely a little bit of added pressure being named the flag bearer, but it was a pretty incredible experience all in all.”

Serena Dallaire won two bronze medals at the Canada Winter Games.

Veeman was pleased he could live up to that honour by winning the medals he did. The men’s mass start race was Veeman’s final race at the Canada Winter Games, and he was pumped to close out with a gold medal win.

“It was such a great games,” said Veeman, who attends Grade 12 at Walter Murray Collegiate. “I think every medal just felt so special.

“In a sense, it almost felt like every medal was like a weight lifted off my shoulder. With the pressure of being the flag bearer, each medal was like a little bit of a weight off the shoulders. I’d say the gold at the end was just such a good moment.”

Dallaire went into the Canada Winter Games in search of personal best performances and wasn’t expecting to medal. The 17-year-old jumped into the spotlight for Saskatchewan capturing bronze medals wins in the women’s 1,500-metre and 3,000-metre races.

“I really didn’t have any expectations,” said Dallaire, who stands 5-foot-4. “I knew that I was in the middle of the pack.

“I just wanted to perform like what I knew I could do in Calgary (at the Olympic Oval). I just wanted to execute my race plans and do the best I could. I really just wanted to have fun.

“I didn’t really expect to get any medals out of it, so I’m happy with how it all turned out.”

Dallaire won her first bronze medal in the 1,500-metre race. She skated her race early in that day and was surprise to find out her time was going to hold up for a medal.

“I was the first race of the day,” said Dallaire, who is completing her Grade 12 studies at Walter Murray Collegiate. “I didn’t know I won until like a while after, so after the race, I was just kind of glad it was over.

“A few minutes after people were telling me they think I was third. It was like surreal, because I didn’t expect it. I was really happy.”

Luca Veeman won five medals at the Canada Winter Games.

She was pumped to follow up that skate with a bronze medal win in the women’s 3,000-metre race a couple of days later.

“I just wanted to skate the best I could and perform,” said Dallaire. “Because it was like near the end, we were kind of tired.

“It was still the same feeling inside. I was excited and really happy to win the medal.”

Veteran Lions coach Tim Comfort, who is the Saskatchewan Speed Skating Association’s provincial coach and technical director, served as the long track coach for Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games.

He was proud of the performances by all the Saskatchewan skaters and was happy to see the multiple medal wins by Veeman and Dallaire, who have put in a tonne of work at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval over the years.

“Saskatchewan speed skaters had a strong Canada Winter Games,” said Comfort. “In particular, Saskatoon club skaters really performed well.

“Luca and Serena’s success has come from hours and hours of hard work pursuing their dream.”

Veeman said his experience at the Canada Winter Games and the ISU’s Junior World Cup Final and World Junior Speed Skating Championships made for a memorable February. He said those experience’s will help his confidence going into big meets in the future.

“It was a big month for getting some big competitions under my belt like my international debut and Canada Games is a big one,” said Veeman. “It would help with my confidence going into the big meets just kind of reminding me of what I need to do to race my best.

“It is not changing things for the big competitions. It is just staying level headed and relaxed going into every race. That is what works.

“I know that if I get hyped up and I try and do something differently because I want this race to be so better than the last one, it is not going to work out in the end. I just have to stay relaxed and do what I always do.”

Serena Dallaire will reflect fondly on the Canada Winter Games.

For Dallaire, she said in the future when she is at big meets she can look back on her time at the Canada Winter Games to remember how positive experiences at big meets and events can be.

“It is a pretty big meet, because Canada Games happens every four years,” said Dallaire. “This was my only time to do it.

“It was just a fun experience.”

For more information about the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club, feel free to check out their website at www.slspeedskating.com.

Machibroda puts fun back in baseball, signs with MLB’s Twins

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Nolan Machibroda hit 17 homers in 47 games for the Phoenix.
(Photo courtesy Nolan Machibroda)

Nolan Machibroda put the fun back in baseball, and the game took him to great places he wasn’t expecting.

Going into his final season of college eligibility in 2022, Machibroda joined the Cumberland University Phoenix Baseball Team in Lebanon, Tenn. The Phoenix play out of the Mid-South Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 

In 2021, Machibroda, who is a graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School, played for Lubbock Christian University Chaparrals Baseball Team in Lubbock, Texas. The Chaparrals play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division II ranks. In 2020, Machibroda was with the NAIA’s Southeastern University Fire Baseball Team in Lakeland, Florida.

With Lubbock Christian and Southeastern University, Machibroda felt that the joy of playing the game had left him. Thinking he might be down to his final at bat for playing competitive baseball, Machibroda wanted the memories of his final college season to be positive ones.

“I just really went out there and tried to have fun my last year,” said Machibroda, who plays first base and a little bit in the outfield. “I’m trying to play to the best of my abilities and not really care about the box score or how I played at the end of the day and just go out there and have fun.

“It was my last year. I was like, ‘You don’t want to not go out there and look back at it and regret that you didn’t have fun.’ I wasn’t having fun the previous two years before that.

Nolan Machibroda sets up at first base for the Phoenix.
(Photo courtesy Nolan Machibroda)

“Once I changed my mindset about that and not looking at it as such an individual and more of a team aspect, I think that really helped me.”

Machibroda went out and had a career season. In 47 games with the Phoenix, the left-handed hitter went 69-for-150 at the plate for a .460 average, 17 home runs and 83 RBI. Thanks to those outstanding numbers, Machibroda, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds, was named the player of the year for the Mid-South Conference and an NAIA first team all-American.

After his season wrapped up with the Phoenix, Machibroda joined the Weyburn Beavers, who play out of the Western Canadian Baseball League summer circuit. Playing in his third summer campaign for the Beavers, Machibroda went 60-for-209 at the plate for a .287 average, seven home runs and 44 RBI. The 23-year-old was named the team MVP for the Beavers.

Machibroda earned an invite to the 2022 WCBL all-star game played at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta. He won the WCBL’s home run derby and was awarded a golden bat for the victory.

On December 20 shortly before 2022 closed out, Machibroda received an early Christmas gift signing as an amateur free agent with the MLB’s Minnesota Twins.

“It is just another opportunity to play the game I love at the end of the day, and I’m super thankful for it,” said Machibroda. “It just happens to be with an MLB team, which makes it even more cool.

Nolan Machibroda set to bat for Team Saskatchewan.
(Photo courtesy Baseball Saskatchewan)

“I’m just trying to play baseball as long as I can. I love the sport, so I’m just really thankful I can go out there and still be playing competitive baseball at this point in my life. I’m really excited to get down to spring training and start playing again.”

Machibroda reported to Fort Myers, Florida, on Monday to take part in a required training plan with the Twins minor league players. Fort Myers, Florida, is home to the Twins single-A affiliate the Mighty Mussels. Spring training activities begin in earnest on March 2.

One aspect of Machibroda’s game that went to another level in 2022 was his power hitting. Machibroda said the home runs started to come after he changed his approach at the plate, where he looked for fastballs and held off from swinging at off-speed pitches.

“I always kind of had power,” said Machibroda. “In batting practice, I could hit a lot of home runs.

“Really last year, I just kind of put it all together and went out to the plate with a better approach. I think that really helped me see a lot more pitches that I could drive out of the yard. I was swinging at those pitches more consistently.

“In my younger years, I would probably get too over aggressive and swing at some pitches that I wasn’t able to do damage on. I think last year the big for me was just refining the strike zone and swinging at big pitches I wanted to swing at instead of swinging at the pitches the pitchers wanted me to swing at and get me out that way. I always had power growing up, but once I figured out my approach and kind of stuck with it that helped me out tremendously.”

After his summer season with the Beavers was complete, Machibroda returned home to Saskatoon to train under the watchful eye of the instructors at the Going Yard Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. 

Going Yard instructor Matt Kosteniuk was Machibroda’s head coach with the Saskatoon Diamondbacks under-18 AAA team and an assistant coach when Machibroda was a member of Team Saskatchewan in 2015 and 2016.

Nolan Machibroda (centre) played at the Baseball Canada Cup twice.
(Photo courtesy Baseball Saskatchewan)

Machibroda also worked with Greg Brons, who is the high performance director for Baseball Saskatchewan and Machibroda’s head coach with Team Saskatchewan.

Pitching and playing first base, Machibroda helped Saskatchewan win a silver medal at the 2015 Baseball Canada Cup held at Cairns Field and Leakos Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds and gold at the 2016 Baseball Canada Cup held in Fort McMurray, Alta.

The soon to be first year pro enjoys when he gets to come home and work with his former coaches.

“I got to know them really well,” said Machibroda, who has lots of good memories playing at Cairns Field and Leakos Field. “It is always fun going back there,

“I respect their input. It is always nice to hear what they have to say and help me out for sure still. They are people I still look to for guidance.”

Machibroda enjoys being able to use the battling cages, the field turf and all the amenities the Indoor Training Centre has to offer, when he returns home.

“I’m super thankful for that facility to go back to during the winter when I’m not able to get outside and do the things I want,” said Machibroda. “You can go in there and pretty much do whatever baseball wise, so it has been awesome.”

Nolan Machibroda (#24) enjoys a seniors day moment.
(Photo courtesy Nolan Machibroda).

Now the focus turns towards his journey in his first professional season. Machibroda said he will run in the pro ranks as long as he can in trying to make it to the MLB level one day.

“I just know that there is a long road ahead,” said Machibroda. “I just take it one day at a time here.

“I take every day knowing that I am still blessed to play baseball and go out there and have fun and leave it all on the field, because I get to play the game that I love for a living now and just try and play as long as possible. I know it is going to be hard, but there is nothing I would rather be doing than playing baseball right now with my life. I’m really excited to be able to have this opportunity.”

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.”