Blue Jays visit highlights photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jose Bautista works with a youngster on gripping a bat.

If you were at the Indoor Training Centre on the morning of February 2, there is a good chance you became a Toronto Blue Jays fan.

The Blue Jays are known as Canada’s MLB team, but that gained a new connection type feeling locally when Jose Bautista, Buck Martinez, Jose Berrios and Jamie Campbell visited Saskatoon.

All four dropped in to help out with a baseball clinic put on by Kinsmen of Saskatoon in the morning of February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre.

The clinic was part of the festivities associated with the Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner held later that night at the TCU Place.

Andrew Albers and Jose Berrios give points to young players.

Bautista and Martinez, who are both retired Blue Jays players, along with Berrios, who is a current Blue Jays pitching ace, helped with the drills. Martinez is best known for becoming the beloved “voice of the Blue Jays” after the conclusion of his playing days. Campbell, who is a broadcaster, circled around visiting everyone who wanted to talk.

Our lead picture of our photo roundup shows Bautista working with a youngster on how to properly grip a bat. The second picture of the photo roundup shows retired MLB pitcher and Going Yard Baseball Academy instructor Andrew Albers along with Berrios passing on some instructions to a group of youngsters.

The clinic also included a football station overseen by Saskatchewan Roughriders members Noah Zerr and Jorgen Hus. They did a terrific job teaching the youngsters how to throw and catch. Our third photo shows the Roughriders pair giving teaching tips to a group of youngsters.

Noah Zerr (#68) and Jorgen Hus (#46) instruct at a football station.

Along with more photos from the baseball clinic from February 2, the pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. This photo roundup contains images from the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet hosted by the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club along with pictures involving baseball, cricket, football, softball and Ultimate disc.

In this photo roundup, most of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke along with one cool submitted check in.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 20 shots we hope you enjoy.

Sweet stroke

Hitter Olivia Prokopchuk works on her stroke during a Saskatoon Lasers training session on January 11 at the Indoor Training Centre. Prokopchuk has a strong ability to be able to crush the ball with power on the softball diamonds.

Set for delivery

A group of pitchers prepare to deliver the ball during a Saskatoon Royals female baseball program training session on January 14 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Royals had a healthy turnout of players from various age groups on this day who came out to work on the fundamentals of the game.

Ready to bring the heat

A Saskatoon Cubs pitcher sets to fire a ball across the plate during a training session on January 14 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Cubs also had a good togetherness vibe going as they look towards the upcoming under-18 AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League season.

All about focus

A player keeps her eye on the ball focusing on a catch during a fielding drill at a 222’s Fastpitch program training session on January 17 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players at 222’s training sessions get a healthy amount of repetitions in drills which allows them to improve.

Conditioning key to on field success

George Idoko, who is a defensive lineman for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team, runs some short hurdles during a team training session on January 18 at the Indoor Training Centre. The work Idoko puts in now will allow him sack quarterbacks and stop running backs late in the fourth quarter of games in September, October and November.

Looking for an opening

An offensive player looks for a passing lane against a defender during Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society league action on January 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. In Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society league play, you get to see lots of athletic plays and fun.

Speed comes from the stride

A young skater focuses on making the perfect stride in a race during the first day at the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 20 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Everyone from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club looks forward to the annual local meet.

Zamboni at work

Our own Greg Nichol drives the Zamboni for a flood of the ice surface at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 20 between races at the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet. It is part of Canadian culture to dream about driving the Zamboni. With that said, Greg is one of the best in the province when it comes to that skill.

Blast off

A group of young skates takes off from the start line during a race on the second day of the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 21 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. The John Sands Classic was a tremendous success thanks to the work of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club.

Strategy in the pack

A group of skaters heads down the front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval as part of a 10-lap open race to close out the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 21. The skaters were trying to determine a plan for the lengthy race.

Ready to deliver

A young bowler gets set to fire a ball down the pitching lanes at the Indoor Training Centre as part of a junior cricket practice on January 21. The crew at Cricket Saskatoon does an outstanding job teaching young players the skills of the game.

Making it look routine

One of the highly skilled wicket-keepers from Cricket Saskatoon’s junior program makes an off to the side catch look easy during a training session on January 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. Wicket-keepers have to be ready for all sorts of situations that could happen.

Impressive turnout for Valkyries

The Saskatoon Valkyries Winter Camp attracted a total of 95 athletes to the Indoor Training Centre on January 28. The Valkyries are taking their first steps on a quest to win a ninth WWCFL title. A big thanks to the Valkyries for this photo.

Bringing the heat

A pitcher fires the ball to home plate during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on January 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. The instructors at Going Yard assist players in perfecting various little fundaments to help them play the game better.

A little help from Buck

A young hitter gets some help with his batting stance from retired Toronto Blue Jays catcher and current “voice of the Blue Jays” Buck Martinez on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. Martinez lent a helping hand to a baseball clinic put on by Kinsmen of Saskatoon.

Set for the throw to first

A young player sets to make a throw to first base during an infield drill at a baseball clinic put on by Kinsmen of Saskatoon on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The clinic allowed players to take part in various baseball skill building drills and meet members of the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.

Ready for spring training

Toronto Blue Jays ace pitcher Jose Berrios gets some work done in the pitching tunnels at the Indoor Training Centre on February 2. It won’t be long now before Berrios will be reporting for spring training with the Blue Jays.

Making an impression

A young receiver makes a catch during a high school camp run by the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players were looking to make good impressions for the Huskies coaches.

A well-deserved honour

On February 2, Bryan Kosteroski, who is the chair of Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Incorporated and Friends of the Bowl Foundation, was named the 2023 recipient of Kinsmen Sportsperson of the Year award. The honour has been awarded since 1961. Kosteroski was given the honour for his many decades of service to sports in Saskatoon in various roles including athlete, coach, official and administrator. Kosteroski, right, is pictured with Jose Bautista.

Aiming to impress

A young pitcher unloads a throw during Saskatoon Phantoms evaluations at the Indoor Training Centre on February 8. The Phantoms were evaluating players in their U15 and U17 age groups.

Scutchings’ focus on fun opens doors in speed skating

Lions member skates at Canada Games, ready for home meet

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Melissa Scutchings enjoys skating fast on the oval track.

Melissa Scutchings discovered that zeroing in on fun still opens big doors in the world of speed skating.

At age five, Scutchings followed her older brother Matthew into the sport joining the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club. At age 15, Scutchings was one of the youngest skaters taking part in the Canada Winter Games that ran February 18 to March 5, 2023 across Prince Edward Island. She took part in the long track speed skating competition at the Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S., during the first week of the games.

“It was a little intimidating,” said Scutchings. “I remember on the first day on the very first practice I fell.

“I remember being kind of embarrassed, because I fell in front of these like national skaters, and they are all like these 20-year-old really buffed guys. I was like, ‘Oh.’After I kind of got over that, it was really fun.

“I had a lot of fun at the Canada Winter Games. There was a lot of community stuff like a lot of team building. I thought that was really fun.”

With being one of the youngest skaters at that multi-sport event, Scutchings was there to soak in the experience. While she didn’t win any medals, she skated lots taking part in the female 500-metre, 1,000-metre, 1,500-metre, 3,000-metre, mass start and team pursuit races.

In getting used to being at the Canada Winter Games, Scutchings said it helped she was there with a large contingent from the Lions including veteran skaters Luca Veeman and Serena Dallaire. Veeman won five medals and Dallaire captured a pair of medals at the Canada Winter Games. Scutchings said there is a good family feeling with the Lions club, which was a big plus going into a multi-sport competition.

“I feel like it is easier to go to a new competition, if you have someone you already know like someone you can warm up with and like skate warmup with,” said Scutchings. “I feel like it is easier than going there, and be like, ‘Oh. I don’t know anyone else. I am here by myself.’”

This season, Scutchings, who is now 16-years-old, finds herself as one of the older skaters at the majority of Lions practices as Veeman and Dallaire are both attending first year university in Calgary and training at the Olympic Oval. While Scutchings is a veteran skater with the club, she still focuses on having fun and enjoying the sport.

The Lions will be hosting their annual the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 20 and 21 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval, and Scutchings has been a regular skating at that competition over the years. She has a pretty high comfort level when it comes to skating at events at home.

“It is just a lot of fun,” said Scutchings. “You are just competing against people you’ve know for like forever.

Melissa Scutchings skates at the Oval on February 28, 2023.

“It is really easy going. I think it is just a lot of casual fun.”

When she was younger, Scutchings saw the older skaters as being really fast and really cool and was always watching her brother. Now that she is older skater, Scutchings enjoys watching the skaters in the Lions younger age groups take to the track in events like the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet.

“I think they are just really cute,” said Scutchings.“They are really short, but they’ve got these big, long speed skates, and they are skating.

“I think it is really funny and they are cute.”

Chris Veeman, who is the Lions head coach and president of Speed Skating Saskatchewan, said it has been enjoyable to coach Scutchings over the years. Back in January of 2021, Scutchings was presented the Robb Family Olympic Trophy, which is the Lions club award that goes to the most improved female skater as shown by improvements in skating times as compared to previous years and faithful and consistent attendance at practices.

“She is great to have in our group,” said Veeman. “She is now one of the older women in the group.

“She has been with Group 4 for a number of years. She is a quiet personality, but I think you can tell that she really likes skating. I think at this point that I try to tell her that her focus should really be on enjoying the sport and getting to enjoy the movement.

“It can be an activity that you do your whole life. That is what I hope that she is getting out of it at this point.”

Veeman thought it was big for Scutchings to be able to take part in the Canada Winter Games as one of the youngest skaters in the field.

“It is a great opportunity, because there is not a lot of pressure,” said Veeman. “If you are 15 or 16 skating against 19-year-olds, you’re not expected to win medals or anything like that.

“It is more about enjoying the event – the multisport aspect of it where you get to meet all kinds of different people. It is a really big production with all the uniforms and that sort of thing. I feel like she made the most of it.”

Melissa Scutchings enjoyed being at the Canada Winter Games.

Scutchings looks up to Isabelle Weidemann who was a speed skater for Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Weidemann, who stands 6-foot-2, won gold in Team Pursuit, silver in the women’s 5,000-metre race and bronze in the women’s 3,000-metre race.

“I like watching her skate, because you can always tell really clearly which one she is when she is skating like the team relays and the team pursuits just because she is so tall,” said Scutchings, who stands 5-foot-7. “I really like the way she skates.

“She makes it look really easy.”

Scutchings said the biggest influence in helping her in the sport was long time Lions head coach Tim Comfort, who retired at the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. She said Comfort cared about how she was doing as a person asking if things were going OK and how she was doing.

“A lot of the way the practices went and a lot of the repetitions and stuff like that it came from Tim (Comfort) mostly,” said Scutchings. “I feel like we got pretty close, and it was fun traveling with him to Canada Winter Games.

“He was pretty encouraging and supportive.”

Scutchings said the current season, which is the Lions first campaign without Comfort as a coach, has been going well. She said Veeman, Jason Warick and Olivier Larocque have been doing well as a collective coaching unit.

Due to the fact there is no Canada Winter Games to prepare for this season, Scutchings said the competitive aspect has felt more relaxed and there has been more of a focus on the craft of skating. She believes it benefits the skaters coming into the Lions top competitive skating level in Group 4 to get their feet wet with that higher tier of competition.

Away from skating, Scutchings is completing her Grade 11 year at Walter Murray Collegiate. She has been on the honor roll throughout her time in high school.

Scutchings is looking forward to continue skating with the Lions during her high school years, but isn’t sure what she will do with the sport once she graduates.

Her family is still well connected with the sport as her father Roland Scutchings in a member at large on the board of directors for Speed Skating Saskatchewan, and her mother Carina Ong-Scutchings is the director of finance for the Lions.

Melissa Scutchings, left, enjoys skating with her Lions teammates.

When it comes skating after graduating from high school, Scutchings said she will decide what she wants to with the sport when that time comes.

“I might not do it after high school just because of university,” said Scutchings. “I might not go to Calgary.

“If I do, I think it will be a lot of fun. It might be a little bit of a struggle finding somewhere to live close to the Oval, because everyone wants to live near the university. I might just stay here with the club and go to university here, so I guess we will see.”

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

Warmer than seasonal outside, lots of play inside in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on Jan. 3, 2024.

The unseasonably warm weather up to a few days ago in winter has created some unique photo opportunities.

The conditions outside helped make one feel that the spring sports season is just around the corner. The expected cold elements that arrived on January 5, 2024 leave a reminder that the spring season is still about three-and-a-half months away.

The lack of snow due to the warm weather has meant the Nordic skiing community has hardly been on our grounds at all to this point in time. Usually, the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club is teaching child and teenager aged athletes the skills of the sport on trails that are usually created on the Glenn Reeve Fields for a lengthy time by now.

Still, the conditions have been cold enough that the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval was flooded. Public skating started on December 17, 2023 and the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club began holding long track practices there one day later.

One of the different sites at the Oval had been seeing the infield of the Track and Field Track inside of the skating track. A number of skaters took photos with the snowless infield in the background.

Our lead picture of our photo roundup shows the Oval with the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre in the background. The picture was taken on January 3, 2024, and it is a neat shot to have to show how warm it actually was on that day in the future in a “believe or not” type fashion.

We made some rounds on January 3, 2024 taking photos of our facilities and a couple more pictures will show up in this photo roundup from that day. The photo roundup also includes happenings at the Oval with public skating and the Lions.

As has become the custom during the winter months including winter months with warm conditions, the Indoor Training Centre is a busy hub of activity. It is filled with athletes training to prepare for the upcoming spring, summer and fall sports seasons and athletes taking part in league play for flag football and ultimate disc.

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 17 shots we hope you enjoy.

You still got it

Former Saskatoon Hilltops star quarterback Jordan Walls sets to gun a pass downfield during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action on December 12, 2023 at the Indoor Training Centre. Walls was a member of five straight CJFL championship winners with the Hilltops from 2014 to 2018.

Slick toss

An athlete makes a clever toss to a teammate during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league action on December 18, 2023 at the Indoor Training Centre. It has been a joy to host league games from the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society and witness some of the slick plays the athletes can make.

And they are off

A group of young skaters elect to have a fun race during a night public skating session at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on December 18, 2023. Public skating sessions are always a great time at the Oval.

Olympian makes the kids happy

Olympic gold medalist Christine Nesbitt signs a few autographs for a group of children gathered at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on December 22, 2023. Nesbitt was helping coach at Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club practices over the holiday season. She won gold in the women’s 1,000-metre race in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C.

Long distance drive

A youngster hammers the ball during action at the Indoor Junior Cricket Tournament run by Cricket Saskatoon at the Indoor Training Centre on December 23, 2023. It was amazing to see how well the young athletes could smash the ball.

Letting it fly

A youngster unleashes a pitch during action at the Indoor Junior Cricket Tournament run by Cricket Saskatoon at the Indoor Training Centre on December 23, 2023. The young players who took part in the games showed great enthusiasm and joy.

Building speed in the corner

Skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club jet around a corner during a practice on December 28, 2023 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. The Lions are slated to host their annual John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 20 and 21, 2024 at the Oval.

Bringing the heat

A pitcher fires some major league fastpitch heat across the plate during the final day of The Frosty Fundamentals Camp run by 222’s Fastpitch at the Indoor Training Centre. The camp allowed players from various age groups to sharpen up skills in all parts of their game.

Olympian lends a hand

Larissa Franklin, who is an outfielder from Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team, helped out at the Frosty Fundamentals Camp run by 222’s Fastpitch during the holiday season. Franklin, second from right, talks to a group of young players about aspects of a bunting drill they are about to take part in on December 29, 2023 at the Indoor Training Centre. Franklin helped Canada win bronze at the Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021.

Eyeing up to perfect a bunt

A member of the Saskatoon Giants sets to lay down a slick bunt during a team training session at the Indoor Training Centre on January 2, 2024. The Giants were going through a series of drills to perfect fundamentals.

Working on a sweet swing

A hitter from the Saskatoon Giants drives the ball into the net during a team training session at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants were working on all sorts of fundamentals on this night including working on all aspects of a swing at a hitting net.

Winter rest for Joe Gallagher Field

Joe Gallagher Field looks peaceful on this warm winter day pictured on January 3, 2024. Normally at this time during the winter season, the stands are all packed with snow and the snow on the field is a couple of feet thick. The park strikes a peaceful pose with a snow-covered infield to go along with the grass outfield.

Cairns Field waits for the WCBL’s Berries

Cairns Field sits at rest during warm winter weather conditions on January 3, 2024. Come May, it will be home to the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Team, who will be playing their inaugural campaign in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

Big line dive

A young hitter lines a hit into the outfield during a scrimmage/modified game that closed a one-day holiday time camp run by the Going Yard Training Centre at the Indoor Training Centre on January 5, 2024. Hits during the scrimmage/modified game started all sorts of action on the base paths.

All about fun

Members of a team celebrate scoring multiple runs doing a scrimmage/modified game that closed a one-day holiday time camp run by the Going Yard Training Centre at the Indoor Training Centre on January 5, 2024. The contest turned out to be tonnes of fun for all involved.

Winter finally arrives in true fashion

Saskatoon Minor Football Field sits looking serene after a dump of snow on January 5, 2024. The dump of snow that came during that day and stayed ushered in a true feeling that winter had finally arrived.

Sunday fun day on the ski trails

Those involved with the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club finally got to enjoy a scene like this on January 7, 2024 as Sunday fun days returned to the ski trails that covered the Glenn Reeve Fields. The ski club was holding instructional sessions for youth aged skiers on this day. After what was a warm winter, the skiers were pumped to be out skiing on snow.

Murphy humbled to enter Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame

Storied softball coaching path to Hall had start in Lloydminster

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Noreen Murphy, right, is inducted into the SSHF.

Noreen Murphy’s road to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame started by saying “yes” to a coaching opportunity way back in December of 1984.

In October of that year, Murphy made a work-related move to Lloydminster, which is the small centre that is famous for sitting on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan. She went there with the reputation of being a standout softball player having been a member of the Saskatoon Harmony Centres team that won the Canadian Senior A title in 1980. That Harmony Centres team played at the World Games in 1981 at Santa Clara, Calif., and fell 2-1 to the United States in the event’s championship game.

When Murphy arrived in Lloydminster, the Blues under-19 women’s team was looking for coaching help. Blues head coach Brian Gislason phoned Murphy in December of 1984 about joining the squad’s coaching staff.

“It is bizarre when you think about it,” said Murphy. “I was up there, and of course, he (Brian Gislason) knew who I was.

“I played with Saskatoon, and we had a rivalry with the Lashburn Bluebirds. Everybody knows you in that area. He just said, ‘Oh my God. We need some help here with the team. We don’t have anybody else stepping forward.’

“He got my number from some of the Lashburn Bluebirds I believe and just gave me a call.”

Murphy said “yes” and the Blues claimed Canadian championships in 1985 and 1986. After the Blues second title win, Murphy relocated back to Saskatoon in 1987 and took up the head coaching role with the Lorne’s Lazers.

At that point, Murphy’s softball coaching career was off and running. It was a career that saw Murphy coach at the national team level for Softball Canada for 14 years on two separate seven-year stints. She first applied to coach with Softball Canada at the urging of Bob Van Impe, who served as the president of the national sports body from 1969 to 1986.

Murphy was part of the senior national women’s team staff when Canada played at the Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States and in 2004 in Athens, Greece. One of the big highlights came in 2003, when Murphy was the head coach of the junior women’s national team that played at that year’s world championships in Nanjing, China. Canada finished fifth in that event after falling 1-0 in a playoff game to the hosts in front of 10,000 boisterous fans.

She also helped develop and mentor other coaches. Murphy chaired Softball Canada’s Long-Term Player Development Committee, which created the Athlete Development Matrix for all stages of player development.

A wall mount for the SSHF class of 2023.

In recent years, Murphy served as the Timbits Coordinator for the Saskatoon Minor Softball League. She is also the coordinator for the Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays program, which operates out of the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

On September 23 at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, Murphy was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in the builders’ category. Looking back on her career, Murphy said everything came about because she agreed to be on the coaching staff of the Blues teams that won Canadian championships in 1985 and 1986.

“What if I would have said, ‘No?’” said Murphy. “None of this would have been happening for sure.”

Murphy entered the Hall with six other distinguished individuals. In the athletes’ category, entering the Hall were multisport star Jaime (Cruickshank) Boyer of Saskatoon, hockey player Ryan Getzlaf of Regina, soccer player Joan McEachern of Leroy and hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser from Shaunavon.

Joining Murphy in the Hall in the builders’ category were Lorne Lasuita of Wynyard for his work in multiple sports and Bernadette McIntyre of Bethune for her work in curling.

“The evening was top notch,” said Murphy. “It was a star affair.

“It was really well done. It was just good to see a whole bunch of sports people I hadn’t scene in a few years. It was really nice for that too.

“It was a great class our 2023 induction class. It was a good one. It was good, really good.”

Murphy received a phone call on a Saturday morning in February from Hall Chair Trent Blezy informing her that she would be entering the Hall as a builder as part of the 2023 class. At first, Murphy said she wasn’t going to pick up her phone, because she didn’t recognize the number on the call display.

She then had a feeling that the call might be important. Murphy said it was cool to hear the news that you were going into the Hall.

Noreen Murphy’s display at the SSHF.

“I was surprised actually,” said Murphy.“It is very humbling.

“I’m very proud. I was excited. (I give) just a big huge thanks to be a small part of sport history in the province.”

At the start of her coaching career, Murphy remembers asking Gislason to be patient with her, because she knew nothing about coaching. From that point, she created a whole host of memories in the sport.

The most memorable moment came seeing her junior national team put up a strong fight losing that 1-0 playoff game at the 2003 world championships to the host side in Nanjing, China.

“That was my biggest highlight,” said Murphy. “Going to two Olympic Games was great too, but when you are leading the team (it’s different).

“When you have all the decisions to make at the top end of that and you are traveling in October to an entirely different culture, the drums are playing when you arrive until when you leave basically. I still say we should have won the game, but that is OK. If we would have (won), we would have made history for Canada.

“It would have been the first time playing for a medal in junior ball. It was a great, great couple of weeks there for sure.”

These days Murphy is enjoying helping young children learn the game in the Timbits programs. She said it is rewarding to see the excitement of the really young players when they get a handle on a new skill.

“It certainly is a little bit different than working at the top end that is for sure,” said Murphy. “I’m going into my sixth year of doing this for them.

“I’ve learned a lot there is no doubt about that. The program is in good shape. We’re developing kids a lot better than we did in the past, because there is structure to it.

“We’re orientating our coaches a lot more that are working with the young group, because it is their first time ever coaching with young ones. At the training centre there, we’ve been fortunate enough to have good numbers, and they continue to be pretty good. Those players that come there they all sign up for spring ball in May and June which is great.”

Noreen Murphy, centre, address a Timbits Saturdays group.

Murphy said the important thing in the beginner and younger age groups is to get the players lots of repetitions. She said it is great the players aged nine, 10 and 11 have the option of play fall ball too as well. Murphy said the reps will allow players to get better at the game and ultimately have more fun with it.

“They need lots of reps,” said Murphy.“The more reps they can get the better, and they are learning the right way.

“As I say to the moms and dads all the time, it is about keeping the kids busy, making them sweat a little bit and just having a whole bunch of fun.”

And with that involvement, Murphy will continue her giving back to the softball community for the foreseeable future. She will keep adding to a legacy that was built saying “yes” to a coaching request made almost 40 years ago.

The first three photos in this post are courtesy of Noreen Murphy’s collection. The video comes courtesy the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Indoor Training Centre fun, exciting football final in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A Timbits Saturdays group comes together for a big cheer.

Off-season time at the Indoor Training Centre can be tonnes of fun.

All it takes is seeing a session of the Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays program to be reminded of that tidbit. Our lead photo of our photo roundup comes from a Timbits Saturdays session held on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. It shows the coaches and players coming together for a cheer following the conclusion of one of those hour-long periods.

These days the Indoor Training Centre is enjoying its peak period as various sporting groups are using it for training sessions like baseball, football, lacrosse, softball and track and field.

Activities from Timbits Saturdays offer up arguably the cutest photos. That program offers softball instruction to children aged three to 11 in one-hour long sessions that are held Saturday mornings at the Indoor Training Centre from October to February.

The young players participate in activities and games that are patterned after informal playground games that promise fun and action. The activities are set up in a way to allow players with high and low skill levels to be involved.

A young players makes a throw at a Timbits Saturdays session.

Players also participate in basic drills that teach the proper forms for throwing, catching and pitching. On the hitting side, players take part in drills that work on proper stance and swinging before proceeding to hit balls off a tee into a net.

Some of those drills are used with older age groups to help reinforce the basics. The second photo of the photo roundup shows a young player taking part of an infield throwing drill at a Timbits Saturdays session on December 2.

On top of those drills, the players will do some activities that are basically playground games along with some short simulated mini games at the end of the session. Ultimately, the main focus of the program is to try and ensure the players have fun and develop a love for the game.

Besides Timbits Saturdays photos, the photos in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds, which include photos from an exciting championship football game and training sessions from various sports. In this photo roundup, the majority 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.

Monster game for Crusader

Receiver Britton Tabler of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders had one of the best games of his career in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football championship game held on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Tabler caught 11 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. The Crusaders ultimately lost a 12-10 heartbreaker to Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders.

Tough slugging on the ground

Holy Cross High School Crusaders running back Aulain Penner gets corralled by a number of defenders from Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Crusaders and Marauders were going at it in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football championship game. The Marauders would take the contest 12-10.

Marauders celebrate a three-peat

The players from Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders raise the championship trophy in celebration of winning the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football title game on November 11. The win marked the third straight year the Marauders claimed the 6A football crown.

Eyeing up the details

A hitter concentrates on his mechanics during a drill at a Going Yard Training Centre session on November 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. Players use the sessions with the Going Yard Training Centre to work on improving the fine points in their game.

Perfecting infield defence on the bases

An athlete, right, from a JQFP Softball session works on fielding defence on a base inside a batting cage at the Indoor Training Centre on November 22. The JQFP Softball coaches showed off an innovative way here to help players improve infield defensive skills on the bases. JQFP Softball coach Jon Equina, left, oversees this drill.

Family welcome for Iris

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Corporation was pleased to welcome Iris Lapierre as the new Administration Manager to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex family. Iris comes to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex after having spent 29 years with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools having retired in October. She is pictured here on November 22 working at the front desk of the Indoor Training Centre.

Running to create space

An athlete with the Sentinels Lacrosse Club motors to an open space in the offensive end of the field during a practice session on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Sentinels are an elite field lacrosse program that runs junior varsity and varsity teams from September through to December.

Tuesday morning camper found

We had a visitor to the overflow campground on the morning of Tuesday, November 28. We believe the visitor jumped the fence as there are no holes in it. We opened the door and the visitor left for a next destination. Johnny Marciniuk, who is our Operations Manager, checked in with the photo of our visitor.

Securing out at first

An infielder follows the ball into her glove fielding at first base during a 222’s Fastpitch practice session at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were focusing on perfecting various defensive skills in the infield on this day.

Finesse throw

A player uses perfect touch to let a Frisbee fly during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society game action on November 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league play is a staple happening at the Indoor Training Centre during the winter months.

A helping hand

A coach helps a young hitter to set up properly in order to hit the ball during one of the SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players taking part in the Timbits Saturdays have a lot of fun and improve greatly over the winter months the program is run.

Feeling the need for speed

A base runner round second base at seemingly warp speed during one of the SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The player was taking part in a mini game that closes out the one-hour period the Timbits Saturdays program run.

Set for the relay

An infielder for the Saskatoon Giants sets to make a catch at second base before making a relay throw to first on December 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants were taking infield defensive repetitions in order to prepare for the 2024 spring and summer baseball season.

Selects break it down

Members of the Saskatoon Selects program conclude a training session with a cheer on December 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. Many spring and summer club squads do off-season work as a team unit to build skills and unity.

Up and away

Two athletes get some air time going up to battle for a Frisbee during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league play at the Indoor Training Centre on December 7. Those taking part in Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society action make some incredible plays on the turf.

Albers’ next chapter

Pro-pitcher brings end to playing days to focus on coaching

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Andrew Albers, right, gives a pointer to a player.

Andrew Albers said his arm was telling him his pitching days were near an end.

The left-hander from North Battleford, Sask., represented Canada at the World Baseball Classic this past March and the Pan Am Games Qualifier this past June. At the World Baseball Classic, Canada posted a 2-2 record playing all its contests in Phoenix, Arizona, and didn’t advance out of pool play.

At the Pan Am Games Qualifier in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Canada posted a 3-1 record, but didn’t make the tournament final coming up short in the Team Quality Balance tiebreaker. Panama, who Canada beat 6-5 in eight innings in preliminary round play, won the final and earned the last berth to the Pan Am Games, which wrapped up on November 5.

With Canada being unable to advance to the Pan Am Games, the Pan Am Games Qualifier turned out to be Albers final event as a player, which brought an end to a career that spanned 15 years as a professional including stops in the MLB with the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners from 2013 to 2021.

“I think the career is pretty much over,” said Albers, who turned 38-years-old on October 6. “I was able to get the arm going for a couple of tournaments with the national team.

“Unfortunately after those tournaments, I was a little bit sore. I kind of figured it was probably about time to hang them up. It seemed like kind of a logical progression kind of going through it.

“Some opportunities came up with Going Yard here and then with the (Western Canadian Baseball League’s Saskatoon) Berries. It definitely seemed like good opportunities for me to kind stay in the game, and hopefully, pass on some knowledge that I’ve gained over the years.”

With that, Albers decided to leave his playing days behind and focus on becoming a full-time coach. During the off-seasons in the later part of his career, Albers sharpened his craft at the Going Yard Training Centre, which ultimately led to him helping coach all the other pitchers at Going Yard. He also got out fairly frequently to help out players coming up in province’s minor baseball system in various training sessions.

Andrew Albers, left, enjoys working with player at Going Yard.

On October 12, Going Yard announced Albers had come on board as a full-time coach. Before that announcement, the Berries announced on September 12 that Albers joined the club as a pitching coach on head coach Joe Carnahan’s staff as the club embarks on its inaugural campaign in 2024 playing home games out of Cairns Field.

Albers found he always enjoyed helping young players, so he was thankful to get the coaching opportunities with Going Yard and the Berries.

“I think the best thing is just working with the kids,” said Albers, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds. “You’re trying to work with kids who are trying to realize their own personal dreams going through this game.

“Just seeing them progress. If you can give them a tip here or there that you hope helps them progress in their journey, I think that is the rewarding part about coaching in general. That is kind of why you do it.

“You try to have an impact on some kids. If you can manage to do that with a few of them, you feel like you’ve done a decent job.”

Albers said the crew at Going Yard had planted the idea in his head about coming on board in a full-time capacity when his playing days were done. The North Battleford, Sask., product felt like he found a home at Going Yard and at the facilities on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

“Jordan (Draeger) had talked to me a couple of the past off-seasons, when the baseball season was over or the baseball career was over to talk to him about it,” said Albers. “You know, it was an opportunity where it just seemed kind of natural.

“Having been here the last couple of years kind of working out in the facility with the kids and hanging around them and things like that, it was a place I felt comfortable coming and being apart of. I know Jordan (Draeger), Matty (Kosteniuk) and Marshall (Dean), they’ve done a great job here developing the brand. I feel like they do things the right way and do a great job with their kids teaching the game of baseball.

Andrew Albers will work the Berries as a pitching coach.

“Again, it was a pretty comfortable transition, and I felt good about doing it.”

Albers said the opportunity to join the Berries was a cool surprise. Way back in 2004, he played with Saskatoon’s previous WCBL team, the Yellow Jackets, when the circuit was known as the Western Major Baseball League. 

Still, he wasn’t sure what the Berries’ plans were.

“That one wasn’t quite as clear cut,” said Albers. “(President of Baseball Operations) Steve (Hildebrand) approached me when he had mentioned that they were bringing the team back here and asked if I might be interested in helping out in some way shape or form.

“I was more than happy to be apart of that. The coaching side seemed logical and seemed like a pretty obvious progression. Obviously, Joe (Carnahan) is going to be the manager there, and he has a great background with that league being a player and former coach that has won it both ways.

“It is going to be exciting working with him. Certainly, the ownership group that is behind them it is going to be a lot of fun. From my own personal standpoint, getting to work a little bit higher level with college players, collegiate players coming over and playing in that league, I’m looking forward to that as well.”

While Albers has transitioned to the coaching side of his baseball life, he admits his competitive side left him feeling he wanted to obtain more accomplishments in his playing career like staying in the MLB a little bit longer.

After taking time to look at things from a different lens, Albers will leave behind his playing days with no regrets.

“You always felt like you could have done a little bit better,” said Albers.“When I look back on it objectively and think about what I had from a talent standpoint and the gifts that I had, I do feel like I overachieved, so at the end of the day, I feel pretty content with the career I had.

Andrew Albers, right, grins at something a player tells him.

“I was very fortunate. I got to do it a lot longer than most guys and got to meet a lot of great people and had a lot of great experiences a long the way. As far as that goes, you get paid to play a game.

“I was fortunate to do it for about 15 years. It doesn’t really get much better than that at the end of the day. Am I content? Sure. Would I have wanted more? Absolutely.”

For more information on the Going Yard Training Centre, feel free to check out their website at www.gyba.ca. For more information on the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Club, feel free to check out their website at www.saskatoonberriesbaseballclub.ca.