The Host Organization

The Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association is entering its 53rd year of operation as one of Canada’s largest adult softball leagues. The SASA has 17 Men’s Teams and 25 Women’s teams playing within 5 divisions. The SASA operates Bob Van Impe Stadium, Joe Gallagher Field & the 6 diamonds at Glen Reeve Fields.

The SASA is instrumental in building the sport of softball locally by providing top caliber softball action and supporting many programs financially and materially. The Organization was recognized locally as the 2010 Sports Organization of the year and is well known throughout Canada and around the world as one of the most active softball organizations. The Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association is very active within the sports community overseeing the operations of the University of Women’s Softball program and developing a Softball Legacy Program. Major Softball Events Hosted by the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association

The SASA has a rich history of hosting major softball events thanks to the incredible hard-working volunteers who ensure all visitors enjoy the softball events as well as the City of Saskatoon & the Province of Saskatchewan.

Softball Canada Canadian Championships 22 Western Canada Softball Championships 5 Canadian Collegiate Softball Association National Championships 2 International Softball Federation World Men’s Softball Championships 3 International Softball Federation World Women’s Softball Championship 1 Jeux Boys & Girls Softball 1

1967 Softball Canada Sr Men’s Canadian Championship 1970 Softball Canada Sr Women’s Canadian Championship 1975 Softball Canada Jr Men’s Canadian Championship 1977 Softball Canada Jr Men’s Canadian Championship 1980 Softball Canada Sr Men’s Canadian Championship 1984 Softball Canada Sr Women’s Canadian Championship 1987 International Softball Congress World Tourney 1988 VII-ISF Men’s World Softball Championship 1989 Jeux Canada Summer Games Softball Events 1994 Softball Canada Sr Men’s Canadian Championship 1995 Softball Canada Jr Women’s Canadian Championship 1996 Softball Canada Sr Women’s Canadian Championship 1998 Western Canadian Master Softball Championships 1999 Western Canadian Pee Wee Softball Championship 2000 Softball Canada Sr Men’s Canadian Championship 2001 3 Nations Challenge Women’s Championship 2002 International Softball Federation Women’s World Softball Championship 2004 Softball Canada Jr Women’s Canadian Championship 2004 Western Canadian Master’s Softball Championships 2005 Softball Canada Jr Men’s Canadian Championship 2007 Softball Canada Midget Boys Canadian Championship 2007 Western Canadian Master’s Softball Championships 2008 3 Nations Challenge Men’s International Softball Championship 2008 Softball Canada Sr Men’s Canadian Championships 2008 Canadian Collegiate Softball Association Women’s National Championship 2009 International Softball Federation Men’s World Softball Championship 2010 Softball Canada U21 Women’s Canadian Championships 2013 U21 Men’s International Softball Championship 2014 Softball Canada U18 Women’s Canadian Championship 2014 Western Canadian Master’s Softball Championships 2015 International Softball Federation Men’s World Softball Championship

Perhaps the most successful men’s world softball championship ever. This event attracted more than 50,000 fans including a record 7,800 for the Friday night game and over 6,000 more for the finals. It saw Canada win the gold medal on Canadian soil for the first time and Saskatoon became the only city in the world to host the men’s worlds 3 times.

2016 Softball Canada U18 Men’s Canadian Championship 2016 Softball Canada U14 Boys Canadian Championship 2016 Canadian Collegiate Softball Association Women’s National Championship 2017 Softball Canada Men’s Canadian Championship 2017 Softball Canada Masters Men’s Canadian Championship Plans are underway to host the 2020 Men’s World Cup of Softball featuring the world’s top 8 teams.

2017 Men’s Canadian Championship The Umpires’ "Blue Crew"

Name Prov. SC Level 1 Daryl Helmer Alberta 5 2 Lou Davis Nova Scotia 5 3 Adam Hook Ontario 4 4 Michael French Prince Edward Island 4 5 Bob Clothier Saskatchewan 4 6 Bruce Luebke Manitoba 4 7 Marcel Vallée Quebec 4 8 Ed Otterman Ontario 5 9 Aaron Poulin British Columbia 5 10 Justin Van Horn Ontario 4 11 Darryl Bergeron Saskatchewan 4 12 Mike Nalysnyk Ontario 4 13 Brendon Moat Saskatchewan 4 14 Terry Richter Alberta 5 UIC Mitch Zuk Ontario 5 DUIC Gary Skjerven Saskatchewan 5

Working strictly with the Masters Men’s: Gavin Russell (SK), Darryl Fiala (SK) and Mike Kostiniuk (SK).

Supervising this Championship are Gary Skjerven and Mitch Zuk. Both Gary and Mitch are level five umpires who have attained their WBSC (World Baseball/ Softball Congress) accreditation. They have both umpired at Men's World Championships, with Gary being on the WBSC Crew in Whitehorse last month, while Mitch traveled to New Zealand in 2013. Both have umpired extensively internationally and supervised numerous Canadian Championships. Gary and Mitch supervised the 2016 Men's and Master Men’s Canadian Championship in St John's Newfoundland. Understanding the skill set necessary for umpires to be effective, in an approachable and purposeful manner, is an important criterion for being a supervisor and a goal that Gary and Mitch will set for themselves.

How were the umpires selected? Each empire is selected by their provincial governing body and while at the championship, is representing not only Softball Canada, but their provincial umpiring program as well. Umpire certification level requirement for this championship is a level four or five. Three of the top local umpires have been added to assist the selected umpires, working only the Master men’s category. Level five Softball Canada certification is the highest a Softball Canada umpire can attain. Umpires selected by their provincial governing body are then notified of their selection in early February of 2017. Early notification enables the Umpire to make appropriate arrangements to travel and umpire in late August. It is every umpires goal to be selected to umpire at Canadian Championship. The umpires on the field for this championship have worked a minimal of two Canadian championships in the past. They are well experienced. In preparation for this tournament, each umpire officiated at their provincial men's championship. Many umpires on the current crew have also officiated at international events and games within the last two months.

While umpiring at the championship, umpires are totally focussed on the task at hand. Supervisors, Gary Skjerven and Mitch Zuk, meet daily with each umpire crew after their game to discuss the following: umpire mechanics, positioning and teamwork, self-selected goals that each umpire reflects on after their game, general areas that umpire supervisors feel the umpiring are excelling at and/or need to focus on. Doug Schultz our Honorary Vice-Chairperson Celebrating Fifty Years in Blue

Can you remember what you were doing in the League, etc. while the Bitz group worked Sr. A Men’s summer of 1967? was hosting Expo 67, and the Special Men’s division. They had 43 members Canada was turning one hundred and teenagers of which about 24 were rated to do Sr. B Men’s or everywhere were listening to the Beatles newest album higher. For Shultz, every one of those umpires had Sgt. Pepper's Lonely-Hearts Club Band. That was also some sort of impact on him. He estimates he has the summer Doug Schultz was setting foot on the worked with about 1200 umpires over the length of his diamond for the first time wearing the umpire’s blue. career. Doug was part of the many key changes in the Who would have known that umpiring in that umpire organizations in the last 50 years. He saw the Saskatoon Men’s D division game (for which he got Saskatoon Umpire Association changed to Hub City paid 90 cents) would turn into almost 5000 more and a Umpires which later changed into the Bridge City tremendously rewarding career as a softball official? Umpires when the minor and adult umpire’s associations split. Recently Doug became part the Doug’s love for the game was obvious right from the Saskatoon Bridge City Umpires when the adult and time he began playing in the sixties in Saskatoon for minor umpires re-united. the Frozen Foods Penguins under Chuck Porter. One of his most interesting playing experiences was playing Over the years Doug has worked with some of in a Donkey Ball tournament in Warman. A touring Saskatoon and Canada’s greatest umpires including: Ed group supplied the donkey and after you hit the ball Bitz who was the first Softball Canada Umpire In Chief you would have to jump on the donkey and ride it to (1972-1984), as well as Saskatoon Sports Hall of first base. Famers Ed Reimer, Harvey Hildebrandt and Dave Moore. Although always very humble, he was willing His playing experience came in handy in his second to share what he feels are some of his of his career in softball. Under the mentorship of Eugene accomplishments on the diamond. Somewhere near Hearne who supervised the lower men’s divisions in the top was doing the plate for the final game of the Saskatoon, Doug immediately began doing the plate 1984 Canadian Sr. Women’s gold medal game won by and bases and many one-man games. He worked for Ontario’s Milverton-Dorchester. He has also umpired Hearne until The Saskatoon Softball Umpire in the what many believe the most memorable Senior Association (S.S.U.A) was formed in 1972 with the Men’s championship ever in 1980, when 13 Canadian amalgamation of the group led by Ed Bitz and the championships records were broke in what may have Hearne’s group. The Hearne group had been working been the finest display of pitching ever at a Canadian the lower divisions of the S.A.S.A. and the Industrial championship. Saskatoon’s hosting that championship done in an hour to an hour and a quarter”. Doug also was in doubt earlier in the summer when, according to remembers some of the real characters who coached Shultz, he was forced to stay home from an exhibition around the city and occasionally had disagreements Series with Team Canada in June as he estimated, with him. One of the hardest to handle was Chris enough snow came down to shut things down for Wright who was always yelling at him. Another real almost a week. Doug was also part of the highlight character that he came across was Saskatoon Sports game for the first season of Softball field Hall of Famer Bob Stayner. Stayner would come – now renamed Joe Gallagher Field. Doug worked the running out to you yelling and screaming and when he bases when Eddie Feigner and the King and His Court got close he would tell you a joke. In one of many very made a return visit to Saskatoon and lost a rare game hard-fought ladies provincial championships between to pitchers Pete Zacharias and Red Friesen of the Saskatoon Harmony Centers and Lashburn Bluebirds, Saskatoon College Lads in front of more than 2,500 Stayner told Schultz after the game it may have been a people. On the lighter side, he remembers doing a good thing he got tossed, so that way he could keep Team Canada exhibition series in Saskatoon in the out of sight and have a smoke to relax him during the early 80’s and taking a ball off the head on a throw from excitement of the game. the outfield as he was moving to get to third base. He At 78, Doug is still going. For most of the last 30 years was a little groggy for a while but he finished his duties Doug has acted as the assignor for the Saskatoon in spite the injury. Amateur Softball Association He said he thought about retiring - leaving his hat on second base after the men’s nationals, but he just can’t do it. “As long as I have my health, I will keep going. My fellow umpires are like my family. We all help each other. Right from Ed Bitz’s time, we have taught each other that we all have to be teachers as we are all blue”. He doesn’t just talk the talk. He feels his greatest memories of the sport have been in helping develop new umpires. He loves to see them get involved and especially stay in the program. He knows the important role mentorship plays is in this process. Saskatoon has many umpires who are in the 25 years plus in experience range, all of whom has taken advantage of the leadership of those who were willing to pass on their knowledge. Schultz has been instrumental over the years in not only the Doug has umpired some of the greats of local softball. development of these umpires, but also in helping He says the hardest pitcher to work the plate for was them find and work with, inexperienced umpires. This Gene McWillie. According to Schutz, he had a pretty year, veteran mentor umpires did 68 minor softball tight strike zone and Geno who threw as fast as 89 games. Thus, every night Saskatoon Minor had at least miles an hour really liked the high strike. Doug would 2 senior umpires working to develop young umpires. not give it to him so Geno would give him the stare. There is no doubt Doug has slowed down. He has had He was also behind the plate for other great pitchers some health issues and he does not move nearly as well like Rob Guenter and Peter Froese. He even worked as those days when he took the ball off the side of his some orthodox pitchers like Ollie Fiddler and Joe head. However, the passion for the job still burns. He Gallagher in his early days. He has mixed memories of has always been willing to develop local officials. He working the plate for Marvel O’Donnell of the has been a source of inspiration for everyone Saskatoon Imperials. “She was so slow getting the ball associated with the sport, as just 2 years from his 80th to the plate, she made every batter wait. Even though birthday, he has had one of his busier years in a while. it took a while for her to deliver each pitch Schultz says For 50 years he has been part of Saskatoon softball all those ladies games at the old Kinsmen Park were history, and still plays a valuable role in it’s future. Devon McCullough - There Is No Place Like Home

Bob Van Impe Stadium is like a second home for in the circle, just blocks from where he grew up and on Devon McCullough. Growing up in Montgomery a diamond that he burst through onto the national Place, McCullough was little more than a long throw stage. "Just being at home with friends and family from the outfield to the complex. “Ever since I was a being able to all be there to share it," McCullough said kid I’ve been coming down here watching the older prior to the championship. "I was here in 2009 when I guys, or hopping the fence and hitting balls out here,” was watching the worlds here, just seeing the crowds says McCullough. here how big, how many people were here. I can't imagine being from your hometown and getting your name announced in front of that crowd. It's going to be pretty hectic," he chuckled.

After a very successful home coming as part of Team Canada at the 2015 WBSC Men’s World Softball Championship. Devon hopes to see the same type of home field magic happen in 2017 at the Men’s national championship McCullough will have a definite home McCullough grew up in a softball family. His father field advantage for the tournament. “I’ve been playing here since I was little,” he said. “And I play league here Dave began coaching with his oldest son Devon, when every night so it will be nothing new. I’m comfortable Devon was 5 years old. He still coaches Devon as he pitching on the mound and that is a big thing.” will be coaching this week with the Saskatoon Angels His wife Barb has been team manager and house He showed his comfort level in the Worlds in one of organizer for as long as Dave has been coaching and the most clutch performances ever by a Canadian Devon playing. They are joined by their daughter pitcher on Canadian soil. Local softball fans will be Brielle, who like Devon, was a member of Canada’s Jr talking abut the situation and eh pitch for a long time. National Team and won a Midget National It one of, “the local boy” Devon McCullough’s best, Championship with the Saskatoon Selects. The middle change up. The same pitch that Brad Enoka hit out for child is Darren who has played in numerous Western a three-run shot the last time Devon faced the Kiwis. and Canadian championships and was part of But with approximately 7000 fans chanting Devo, Saskatchewan’s team at U21 International in Saskatoon Devo, he had the courage to throw it again and this in 2013. He will also be third member of the Angels at change up worked, as he struck out Stephen Ratu to this championship. win the gold medal game. The strikeout helped Canada Pitching was in Devon’s blood at an early age. “Back claim it’s first ever Men’s World Softball when he was 4 or 5 he loved sports” Dave said. When Championship on home soil. It was a huge he picked up a ball and threw it, we all went whoa. He’s accomplishment for Canada, after years of spend hours at it pretending. It goes back a while that disappointment in the Men’s World championship he has been working on it”. they were finally the best and Saskatoon fans let them know it. Like with Team Canada in 2015 where he was the youngest player on the team, he always seemed to be It was truly special for Devon as well. Not just because playing with the older kids. Still eligible to play in the he was in the circle at the end of the gold medal game Rookies leagues in Saskatoon’s Montgomery in spite of being Canada’s youngest player, but he was community, he moved up to play for the Zone 4 Phantoms. He always seemed to pitch well in his first spotlight. The spotlight is what he found, when he got year but dominated in his second. After his two years the ball to start in the semi final game against the in the Squirt class and one Provincial championship, he winningest team in world championship history, the moved on the Pee Wee category winning a Western Kiwis from New Zealand. It was a game for the ages, Canadian Championship in 2004 and being named Top a true classic that unfortunately did not end up like the Pitcher. Two years later he repeated the feat in the game in Saskatoon. Devon’s pitching helped Canada Bantam category. His three years of Midgets saw even to a 9-2 lead after 3 innings, just before the rain started more success. He won a bonze medal in 2007 (the last to come down. Coach John Stuart decided to replace time Midget Nationals were in Saskatoon) and was Devon after the 20-minute rain delay. However, the named Top Picher and MVP of the preliminary round. momentum had swung hard on the side of the Kiwis He followed that up with a pair of gold medals of Top as replacement Justin Schofield was not able to hold of Pitcher Awards at the next two Midget Canadian the powerful Kiwis as they ended their bat with a 10-9 championships. lead. McCullough came back in and gave Canada a chance to win but the bats did not respond like they It was after his first year in Midget, that he caught the had earlier and New Zealand won 12-11. Devon eye of the National Team program as he was one of returned to the circle the next day in the what turned three Saskatoon Selects (along with Travis Dauvin and out to be the bronze medal game. He did well, pitching Derek Arsenie) chosen to represent Canada in 2008 at three innings of one-hit ball in relief, sitting down the ISF Junior Men’s World Championship in seven batters on strikes, but his team had to settle for Whitehorse. He was a key player in the pitcher’s circle the bronze medal, bowing out the Australians 7-3. (2.45 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 25.2 innings) and at the plate (.474) as Canada won the Silver medal. It was certainly a bittersweet event for McCullough as he was the losing pitcher in the gold medal game giving up a single in the bottom of the 8th inning. “It was a tough way to lose, but two inches to the left and Terrell Walker gets that ball and throws the runner out at first” commented Canadian Jr. Team Head Coach Tom Doucette. He pitched a heck of a game for us and came one pitch away from a World Championship.” Devon must be looking forward to playing at this (courtesy Softball Canada) championship in his home town with his club team the Saskatoon Angels. He has shared much of his route to Following that performance, he was added to the the national teams with many of his Angels teammates. Senior Men’s National Team Athlete Pool in 2010 and A few have been with him in his Phantoms days and competed in the 2014 Pan American championship. some others joined him in Midget, as they are a crew Throughout most of his time on the Athletes Pool he of local boys who like Devon grew up playing ball in was looked at as a long shot to make a World an around Bob Van Impe Stadium. Devon has never Championship roster. He was: too young, too small won a Canadian Men’s championship gold medal and and was not mature enough to play with the big boys knows there would be no better place to do it, than at some critics claimed. Undaunted by his critics he just home. The last time Saskatoon hosted this got better. So much so that after his performance at the championship Saskatoon Aspen Interiors won gold Pan Am championship he could no longer be and Devon had just returned from Whitehorse as a overlooked and was named to the 2015 team for junior. Now he is poised to help his team become the Saskatoon next local team to win at home. He has pitched in This summer McCullough had his second chance to countless places, all over the world at the highest level compete at the Sr. Men’s World championship. He for his country and his ISC club team. This week he returned to White Horse in much the same role he gets to stay at his home and play with his friends. If played there as a junior. he was to be Canada’s number they manage to win the gold, it will be all that much 2 pitcher behind Sean Cleary, but always ready for the sweeter, not just playing in front of family and friend but with them. Rosters Brought To You By Bulyea Rustlers Sask 4 Red Div Troy Gordon IF George Flotre Michael Jordan Josh Jordan Peter Hill Wayne Flotre Cory Krahenbill C

Colin Mcleod P/UT Chetty’s Pretty Boys Sask 1 Red Div Justin Sievert Alfred Bear C Josh Miller Barry Sparvier C Greg Hill Anthony Sparvier P Tucker Slough Jeremy Kenny OF/P Donovan Thompson Justice Keshane P Shea Martin Albert George Joran Graham P Jayden Isaac Clayton Mckenzie P Calvin Issac Jr. Bill Slough Christian Bear Colin Mcleod COACH Tyler Tomlinson Bill Slough COACH Braden Reiger Aylen Yuzicappi N.B. Petro Hawks Sask 5 Red Div Cory Giroux Calvin Mcnab Dustin Keshane P Jared Bitternose Tyson Cote Les George P Ian Glasser Terrell Walker IF Kyle Rivet IF Josh Montana Eldon Delorme COACH Chris Bear C Courage Bear COACH Ernest George COACH Joseph Poitras Tom Pratt COACH Trey Poitras Hyland Poitras Ronald Cote Brandon Shingoose Jason Bear Louis Redman Jr. Norman Linton P Ray Amyotte Travis Walker Mike Walker COACH Albert Mcnab COACH Lyle Mcnab COACH

Rosters Brought To You By Grande Prairie Pirates Alberta 2 Red Division

Ryan Friedrich 3 2B

Bryn Redhead 7 P

Lee Stupar 8 1B Trevor McCabe 9 P Cory Jones 10 W 1B Mike Hauser 14 2B

Brayden Arcand 16 C

Todd Williams 17 OF

Bryan Graham 19 P NFL Red Division Galway Hitmen Jarret Lambert 20 CF Brad Ezekiel 11 OF Donnie Atkinson 25 3B

Shane Boland 91 IF Keegan Arcand 27 OF

Blair Ezekiel 21 P/IF Shayne Milligan 33 3B Steve Mullaly 33 IF Rich Haldane 44 P

Jason Hill 16 P/DH Scott Galenza 47 SS

Ryan Boland 10 C Kevin Arcand 50 1B

Mathieu Roy 15 OF Jim Jones COACH

Colin Walsh 6 P/OF Reg Hauser COACH

Jeremy O'Reilly 92 IF Fred Redhead COACH Sean Cleary 44 P Daniel Dalton 82 IF East Hants Shooters Nova Red Division Justin Gill 3 IF Bar & Grill Mastodons Scotia Danny Mullins 4 OF Jonah William Wright 4 OF Sheldon Keough 25 OF Jason Robert Sandford 8 C Craig Edmunds 23 C Patrick Daniel Stewart 10 1B Ferg Griffiths 20 IF Travis Anthony Nevin 11 P Nick Pittman 22 P/OF Donnelly Brian 12 1B/P Mark Dwyer 5 Head Coach JeffArchibald Reginald Ellsworth 19 CF Danny Williams 9 GM Alexander Terry 22 P Ed MacDonald 17 Coach AaronAnthony William Harvey 24 3B Brian Roche 18 Coach Nicholas Paul Shailes 27 SS Sean Cadigan 32 Coach Cody Carl Gordon 40 P Anthony Les Howey 39 Coach Justin Gordon Schofield 41 P Joel Steven Isenor 44 CF

Jay Phillip Duffy 47 SS

Jacob Christopher 55 IF Hopewell Aaron Michael Bernard 57 OF/IF CobyLong Andrew Crowell 81 OF

Darcy Alexander Gillis 94 C

Chris Hopewell 18 H. COACH Darcy Campbell 88 MANAGER Mike Wood 6 A. COACH Ty Campbell 62 BAT BOY

Roster Brought To You By Roster Brought To You By

Delisle Diamond Dogs Sask 3 - Black Div. Bruno Merchants Sask 2 - Black Div. Jeff Durham IF Craig Geisler UT Shawn Colborn IF Chris Teichreb P Curt Adair OF Taylor Barber OF Brad Bibby OF Justin Dauvin P Bryan Newton P Mason Nedjelski UT Jeff Farion P Curtis Piccowye UT Trevor Ethier P/IF Logan Schmautz IF Randy Slusar OF Brandon Dauvin IF Dave Hutton IF Earl Ghostkeeper UT Pat Mackintosh IF Matt Hillier UT Mike Lawton IF Lee Huber IF Jordie Gagnon OF Brock Perry P Brodie Busby OF Jason Bender C Ryan Olde OF Brent Twordik IF Kyle Linton P Blake Huber C James Shirley UT Matthew Kutnikoff P Matt Scheer IF Nick Patrick P Joel Durham COACH Ray Bender COACH Bill Marshall COACH David Jones COACH Bryan Coben COACH Brooks Penrod COACH

Rosters Brought To You By La Salle Bullets Manitoba Black Division Johnny Prejet 2 Stef Brunel 3 Brady Woods 4 P Virden McKay 5 Jesse Tom 6 Chris Burns 8 Ernie Flett 9 Bob Lanoie 10 Andrew Kutnikoff 13 Jeff Thomas 15 P Jason Plett 16 Irma Tigers Alberta 1 Black Division Peter Reimer 18 Tyler Fischer 7 IF Mike Spence 19 Evan Normand 8 OF Duane Clarkson 24 Kaleb Keeting 9 IF Jeff Barten 25 Brandon Parsons 11 OF Tyson Soucy 14 IF Stephen Ceslak 27 Mike Legace-Roote 15 P Adrian Brown COACH Mike Friedrich 18 UT Denis Woods COACH Riley King 22 1B Stef Brunel COACH Chance Lund 23 OF Brett Larson 24 C Sooke Loggers BC Black Division Steven Normand 27 P Chad Bryden 3 3B Kyle Parsons 39 OF Todd Belton 5 SS Ambrose Firkus 44 SS Jesse Grieve 10 OF Justin Ganie 45 3B Kris Walushka 11 OF Taylor Schubada 77 UT Blake Hunter 12 UT Lyle Normand COACH Ben Edgington 15 OF Mike Soucy COACH Aaron Emery 17 P Scott Lieph 20 P Lorne Firkus COACH Tim Scaber 23 DP Darcy Walushka 24 UT Andrew 29 2B AdamMedwedrich Schnarr 34 1B Jared Cooper 38 OF Tyler Randerson 39 P Kyle Cowick 40 C Collin McKenzie 41 P John Bishop COACH Kris Walushka COACH

The Sr. Men’s Host Team – Saskatoon Angels

Saskatoon Angels Host Red Division Casey Brooks C Darren McCullough 1 OF Kalyn Robinson 2 OF Jon Equina 4 IF Reed Dubkowski 5 OF Justin Laskowski 8 IF Zach Pierce 11 P Brett Cassavant 12 IF Devon McCullough 13 P Brian Evanochko 14 IF Patrick Burns 17 P/OF Bradley Walchuk 17 UT Derek Arsenie 18 C Brett Casey 19 IF Jesse Osika 22 IF Cole Reid 24 IF Ryan Casey 34 P/OF Garry Burns COACH Jim Huziek COACH Dave McCullough COACH Dwayne Osika COACH

2017 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship Saskatoon, SK August 30th -September 3rd

Game # Dia. # Date Time Team Team WEDNESDAY 1 BVI Aug. 30 9:00am MB Vs BC 2 JGF Aug. 30 9:30am SK4 Vs NS 3 BVI Aug. 30 11:00am SK3 Vs HOST 4 JGF Aug. 30 11:30am SK5 Vs DC 5 BVI Aug. 30 1:00pm SK1 Vs AB2 6 JGF Aug. 30 1:30pm AB1 Vs MB 7 BVI Aug. 30 3:30pm SK5 Vs NS 8 JGF Aug. 30 3:30pm SK2 Vs BC O/C BVI Aug.30 6:00pm Opening Ceremonies 9 BVI Aug. 30 6:45pm SK2 Vs HOST 10 JGF Aug. 30 7:00pm AB2 Vs SK4 11 BVI Aug. 30 8:45pm SK1 Vs DC 12 JGF Aug. 30 9:15pm SK3 Vs AB1 THURSDAY 13 BVI Aug. 31 9:00am SK5 Vs AB2 14 JGF Aug. 31 10:00am BC Vs HOST 15 BVI Aug. 31 11:00am SK1 Vs AB1 16 JGF Aug. 31 12:00pm NS Vs DC 17 BVI Aug. 31 1:00pm MB Vs SK3 18 JGF Aug. 31 2:00pm SK5 Vs BC 19 BVI Aug. 31 3:15pm SK2 Vs NS 20 JGF Aug. 31 4:30pm SK1 Vs SK4 21 BVI Aug. 31 6:30pm AB2 Vs HOST 22 JGF Aug. 31 6:30pm AB1 Vs SK2 23 BVI Aug. 31 8:30pm SK3 Vs DC 24 JGF Aug. 31 8:30pm MB Vs SK4 FRIDAY 25 BVI Sept. 1 9:00am SK1 Vs NS 26 JGF Sept. 1 10:00am SK2 Vs MB 27 BVI Sept. 1 11:00am SK4 Vs SK5 28 JGF Sept. 1 12:00pm BC Vs AB1 29 BVI Sept. 1 1:00pm DC Vs AB2 30 JGF Sept. 1 2:00pm SK2 Vs SK3 31 BVI Sept. 1 3:30pm MB Vs HOST 32 JGF Sept. 1 4:30pm NS Vs AB2 33 JGF Sept. 1 6:30pm BC Vs SK3 34 BVI Sept. 1 6:30pm SK1 Vs SK5 35 JGF Sept. 1 8:30pm SK4 Vs DC 36 BVI Sept. 1 8:30pm AB1 Vs HOST

SATURDAY T1 JGF T2 JGF C1 BVI Sept. 2 11:00am 1st Red 2nd Black C2 BVI Sept. 2 1:00pm 1st Black 2nd Red

C3 JGF Sept. 2 2:00pm 3rd Red 4th Black C4 BVI Sept. 2 3:00pm 3rd Black 4th Red C5 BVI Sept. 2 6:00pm LC2 WC3 C6 JGF Sept. 2 8:00pm LC1 WC4 C7 BVI Sept. 2 8:00pm WC1 WC2

CC1 GR3 Sept. 2 12:00pm 5th Red 6th Black CC2 GR3 Sept. 2 2:00pm 5th Black 6th Red CC3 GR3 Sept. 2 6:00pm WCC1 WCC2 SUNDAY C8 BVI Sept. 3 10:00am WC5 WC6 C9 BVI Sept. 3 12:00pm LC7 WC8 C10 BVI Sept. 3 2:30pm WC7 WC9 Black Division Red Division SK2 Bruno Merchants SK1 Chetty’s Pretty Boys SK3 Delisle Diamond Dogs SK4 Bulyea Rustlers HOST Saskatoon Poly Plus Angels SK5 NB Petro Hawks MB La Salle Bullets DC NFLD Galway Hitmen AB1 Irma Tigers AB2 Grande Prairie Pirates BC Sooke Loggers NS East Hants Shooters Bar and Grill Mastodons HOST SK1 SK2 Wed 11:00am Vs SK3 Wed 1:00pm Vs AB2 Wed 3:30pm Vs BC Wed 6:45pm Vs SK2 Wed 8:45pm Vs DC Wed 6:45pm Vs HOST Thu 10:00am Vs BC Thu 11:00am Vs AB1 Thu 3:15pm Vs NS Thu 6:30pm Vs AB2 Thu 4:30pm Vs SK4 Thu 6:30pm Vs AB1 Fri 3:30pm Vs MB Fri 9:00am Vs NS Fri 10:00am Vs MB Fri 8:30pm Vs AB1 Fri 6:30pm Vs SK5 Fri 2:00pm Vs SK3 NS MB SK4 Wed 9:30am Vs SK4 Wed 9:00am Vs BC Wed 9:30am Vs NS Wed 3:30pm Vs SK5 Wed 1:30pm Vs AB1 Wed 7:00pm Vs AB2 Thu 12:00pm Vs DC Thu 1:00pm Vs SK3 Thu 4:30pm Vs SK1 Thu 3:15pm Vs SK2 Thu 8:30pm Vs SK4 Thu 8:30pm Vs MB Fri 9:00am Vs SK1 Fri 10:00am Vs SK2 Fri 11:00am Vs SK5 Fri 4:30pm Vs AB2 Fri 3:30pm Vs HOST Fri 8:30pm Vs DC AB1 SK5 SK3 Wed 1:30pm Vs MB Wed 11:30am Vs DC Wed 11:00am Vs HOST Wed 9:15pm Vs SK3 Wed 3:30pm Vs NS Wed 9:15pm Vs AB1 Thu 11:00am Vs SK1 Thu 9:00am Vs AB2 Thu 1:00pm Vs MB Thu 6:30pm Vs SK2 Thu 2:00pm Vs BC Thu 8:30pm Vs DC Fri 12:00pm Vs BC Fri 11:00am Vs SK4 Fri 2:00pm Vs SK2 Fri 8:30pm Vs HOST Fri 6:30pm Vs SK1 Fri 6:30pm Vs BC DC BC AB2 Wed 11:30am Vs SK5 Wed 9:00am Vs MB Wed 1:00pm Vs SK1 Wed 8:45pm Vs SK1 Wed 3:30pm Vs SK2 Wed 7:00pm Vs SK4 Thu 12:00pm Vs NS Thu 10:00am Vs HOST Thu 9:00am Vs SK5 Thu 8:30pm Vs SK3 Thu 2:00pm Vs SK5 Thu 6:30pm Vs HOST Fri 1:00pm Vs AB2 Fri 12:00pm Vs AB1 Fri 1:00pm Vs DC Fri 8:30pm Vs SK4 Fri 6:30pm Vs SK3 Fri 4:30pm Vs NS

Men Masculin Galway Hitmen Newfoundland / Terre-Neuve GOLD MEDALLISTS - Médaillés d’or

Gold Galway Hitmen, DC (NL) Silver Kelly’s Pub Molson Bulldogs, NL Bronze East Hants Mastodons, NS 4th Bulyea Rustlers, SK 5th Poly Plus Angels, SK 6th Kitchener Hallman Cubs, ON 7th Alvinston Indians, ON 8th Chetty’s Pretty Boys, SK 9th WMC / The Bigs Bombers, NL 10th Saskatoon Bridge City Sharks, SK

Past Champions

Champions Précédents Canadian Fast Pitch Championship Results/Résultats Championship Pitch Fast Canadian

2015 Galway Hitmen, NL 2014 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light, NL 2013 3 Cheers Pub, NL

2016 2012 3 Cheers Pub, NL

Men Masculin

Pos. Name/Nom P/T ERA/MPM Batting/Bâton Defensive

P/L Colin Walsh NL1 1.75 .400 .800 Ryan Boland DC .500 1.000 C/R - Jason Sanford NS .400 1.000 1B Jeff Lyons ON2 - .353 1.000

2B Nick Shailes NS - .450 1.000

3B Matt Lyon ON1 - .400 .941

SS/AC Shane Boland DC - .706 1.000

F/C Brad Ezekiel DC - .706 1.000

F/C Mathieu Roy NL1 - .625 1.000

F/C Jordie Gagnon SK2 - .421 .875

U Kyle Ezekiel DC - .467 1.000

PitchAwards Championship

Name/Nom P/T Award/Prix

Fast Shane Boland DC Top Batter Brad Ezekiel DC Meilleur Frappeur Top Pitcher Sean Cleary DC Meilleur Lanceur

MVP-Qualifying Round Justin Schofield NS JPU- Ronde préliminaire Top Player-Championship Round Sean Cleary DC Meilleur Joueur- Ronde eliminatoire

Canadian

2016

2017 Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship Saskatoon, SK August 31st -September 3rd

Game # Dia. # Date Time Team Team Thursday, August 31st 1 3 Aug. 31 4:00pm SK1 Vs SK2 2 3 Aug. 31 6:00pm SK3 Vs AB1 Friday, September 1st 3 3 Sept. 1 10:30am SK1 Vs AB1 4 3 Sept. 1 12:30pm SK2 Vs SK3 5 3 Sept. 1 4:00pm SK1 Vs SK3 6 3 Sept. 1 6:00pm SK2 Vs AB1

Saturday, September 2nd M1 2 Sept. 2 9:30am 1st 4th M2 2 Sept. 2 11:30pm 2nd 3rd M3 2 Sept. 2 6:00pm LM1 LM2 Sunday, September 3rd M4 2 Sept. 3 12:00pm WM1 WM2

Diamond #3 – Glenn Reeve #3 Diamond #2 – Joe Gallagher Field

SK1 SK2 SK3 Thu 4:00pm SK2 Thu 4:00pm SK1 Thu 6:00pm AB1 Fri 10:30am AB1 Fri 12:30pm SK3 Fri 12:30pm SK2 Fri 4:00pm SK3 Fri 6:00pm AB1 Fri 4:00pm SK1

AB1 Thu 6:00pm SK3 Fri 10:30am SK1 Fri 6:00pm SK2

Teams SK1 Saskatoon AGI Masters SK2 Moose Jaw Canadians SK3 Saskatoon Padres AB CJC Grande Prairie Pirate Masters

Saskatoon AGI Masters – Master Men’s Host Team

Blue White Player Position 4 4 Al Mulie P 7 7 Chris Ewen OF 8 8 Donavon Delorme P 10 10 Kevin Knelson U 11 11 Gregg Tarasoff U 12 12 Kim Ryan U 72 72 Dean Holoien P 17 17 Darcy Mclean P 19 19 Terry Wiebe IF 21 21 Jayson Hodgson U 23 23 Jaret Gebert OF 24 24 Shawn Huber U 31 31 Kevin Garinger U 37 37 Todd Kennedy C 39 39 Collin Schaan OF 44 44 Ryan Ray C 45 45 Clayton Chappell IF 46 46 Gerrit Baan IF 47 47 Brad Flanagan IF 51 51 Keith Mackintosh IF 55 55 Karl Ray COACH 15 15 Graham Eadie COACH 77 77 Roger Malmgren COACH Rosters Brought To You By Moose Jaw Canadians Sask 1 Masters Mike Randall 3 IF Colin Folk 4 UT Lyle Wieman 5 OF Carry Olson 6 OF Todd Whitehead 7 UT Greg Perreaux 8 UY Jeff Weeks 9 IF/C Sean Lougheed 10 IF/C Jason Schneider 11/1 IF Brett Friesen 12 UT Darren Lamonte 13 OF CJC GP Pirates Masters Alberta Masters Cory Boison 15 C Kirk Davidson 6 IF Derek Smith 16 IF/P Randy Bell 7 IF Pat Swallow 19 IF/C Kevin Lund 10 C Dave Helland 21 IF/C Robert Yates 11 C Russ Kennon 22 P Delwin Slemp 12 OF Xavier Tremblay 44 P Terry Peppler 72 /27 P Peter Keay 14 IF Derek Smith 16 COACH Norman Bassett 15 OF Sean Lougheed 10 COACH Kelly Pauls 16 OF Curtis Bowman 17 IF Saskatoon Padres Sask 2 Masters James Menzies 18 IF Trevor Kvinlaug 5 Kenny Breland 19 OF Steve Carlson 6 Trent Dombrova 22 OF Dean Yuzik 9 Mike Soucy 23 P Darcy Haluzan 10 P Dale Ortman 24 P Greg Nichol 13 IF Bradley Heemeryck 25 P Reg Lalach 16 Mark Pothier 27 OF Aaron Bohrson 17 IF Randell Thompson 33 Larry Oleksuk 20 C/UT Lance Wiebe 35 IF Hal Machisknic 22 Guy Lund 44 P Tracy George 24 Scott Skirving 61 P Todd Desaulnier 25 Mike Soucy COACH Derrick Gagnon 26 Kevin Lund COACH Terry Peppler 28 Lance Wiebe COACH Shawn Opekokew 31 Dale Caron 32 C Cliff Lavallee 33 Brian Gallagher 39 P Jay Bohrson 41 IF Darrel Iron 44 IF Dale Caron COACH Reg Lalach COACH Larry Oleksuk COACH

The Saskatoon Masters - A Tradition Of Success For More A Quarter Of A Century The date was July 15, 2012 and the most disappointed followed by Carl Reimer who was later joined by Bob team in our province by far had to be Saskatoon Allied Ferris and Gordie Cooke, who alternated the duties for Denture Masters. Coach Rick Ruzesky’s crew were a few years th trying for it’s 26 consecutive provincial title, but the In1995, Les Howey, who now is Team Canada rain wiped out play just before the first game of what Assistant Coach, took over and was followed by might have been a two game final series. Allied Malmgren a year later. Roger continued to the present Denture Masters had suffered a Saturday afternoon with the one year hiatus in 2012 year when Rick loss to Moose Jaw that placed the Giants first in Ruzesky was in charge. Over the years the team’s preliminary round and forced Saskatoon into a semi- nickname changed as the sponsors did. They went final. On Sunday, after easily dispatching the Parktown from K and K Olson to Sutherland Bar, to Great West Padres in the semi-final, Allied had their lineup stacked Transport to Norland Denture Clinic, then to Allied and momentum on their side. However, the diamonds Denture Clinic and now are known as the AGI were just too wet to play any further and Moose Jaw Masters. was declared champion based on the standings at the end of preliminary round play. It was the first time a team from the Saskatoon Masters organization had tasted defeat in the provincials in a very long time and it did not sit well with anyone involved. Their streak of 25 consecutive Provincial championships had been broken. However, after a long winter and the return of long -time coach Roger Malmgren, the Masters regrouped and not only regained the provincial championship but went on to claim the 2013 Western Canadian Masters men’s title, as well as maintaining their tradition of success. In 2014 the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association was celebrating it’s 50th year. It seemed particularly fitting that a team with so much history help the SASA 1993 Sutherland Bar Masters celebrate as the AGI Masters again won provincials. Led by the event’s top pitcher James Zuk, top hitter Roger admits that winning the provincial title for so Jason Hodgson and MVP Terry Wiebe, they followed many years was far from easy. There were times they the provincials win with a Western Canadian title at had to come back from the B side to win and one year home in Saskatoon. It took them three more provincial had to recover from 2-1 deficit in the best of 5 series championships to again claim the title but they come against Conquest in which they won back to back to nationals as the Saskatchewan champions this year. games on Sunday. The memories are almost endless for many of the long- Because they won so many provincial titles, their standing members of the Saskatoon Masters greatest memories seemed to be of their last big event organization. Perhaps the one with the most to of the year, the Western Canadian championship. A remember was Roger Malmgren, who had been with particularly clear memory was of the 2006 Westerns in Whitehorse. Where, after surviving a 36-hour bus ride, the team throughout almost all it’s long history. Roger th first played with the team when they were known as they found themselves down 3-1 to BC in the 7 inning the K and K Olson Masters in 1986. Although he was of the final. They proceeded to score 8 runs in the top getting to the end of his playing career he had to sit out half of the inning and shut them down in the bottom the provincials that year because he was not 40 yet. In with two strikeouts and an easy pop-fly making the 1987, as the Sutherland Bar Masters, they began their long bus ride home much more tolerable. In 1997 they streak of 25 consecutive titles. The sponsor’s names came back from the B side to win in BC. They never and coaches changed but the winning tradition left the diamond from 8:00 am Monday, until the final continued. In 1989, Keith McLean took over. He was in late afternoon winning four straight games. BC teams have always been a thorn in the side of the Masers, making the most recent victory particularly gratifying. Last year in Kelowna, the Allied Denture Clinic Masters had to beat 3 different BC teams in the playoffs, including the Richmond Steelers who had the always tough Rich Haldane in the circle. Not all vivid memories were of victories as Malmgren (seen below) also remembers the year in when the team toughed it out through 5 tournament ending injuries and another player eliminated because he had his truck and all his equipment stolen. They got to the final but lost out to Alberta who had the always tough Bruce Marshal in the circle. Malmgren remembers facing many great players over the years. Throwers like Rich Haldane recently, as well as long time greats like Stan He has coached some real characters over the years but Kern, Andy Konopacki and Mike Piechnik, created the first one that comes to mind was Dwayne Heidt. trouble for the Masters but did not prevent them from According to Roger, his mouth often saw him disliked winning 20 medals at Westerns including 8 gold. by the opposition, but helped make him a real leader for the Masters.

Malmgren attributes 2 key factors to the success of the Masters organization in Saskatoon: recruiting and the clubhouse. Malmgren and his coaching staff are renowned for getting the best talent available. When recruiting players that are 40 and over they can count on a very strong local talent pool. The long term success of the program and the long history of great players also help recruiting. Malmgren says the team clubhouse is another key factor in maintaining players in the organization. Located in the Harold Latrace Arena just a few blocks from the Bob Van Impe

Stadium, Malmgren says it creates a family atmosphere around the team. The players’ wives and kids can feel His greatest memories however are of the over 200 comfortable there and the players don’t have to feel players that have played for him. National teamers like they are making the same kind of family sacrifices Pat and Keith MacKintosh, Dean Holien, Rob many of them did when they were playing in their Scheller, Terry Wiebe and Gene McWillie brought younger days. their tremendous talent and profile to the team. Lesser This year’s team will be loaded with former Team known players like Brian Banga, who beat Hall of Canada type players. Terry Wiebe will do his thing at Famer, Mike Piechnik in the 2004 Westerns Semi-final short stop, Keith MacKintosh will be a strong bat and and Bob Boeschen who hit a 2-run homer in the final will shore up the middle infield and Dean Holien will of the provincials to keep the streak alive. He named provide a hard thrower out of the bull pen and will Gene McWillie, Dennis Dauvin and Terry Wiebe produce his world-renowned power at the plate. amongst the best players he has seen in his many years around the local softball scene. McWillie was a fire- baller who at one time was amongst the top 3 pitchers in the world, Dauvin was the epitome of a work horse with a great change up and Wiebe is still the smoothest shortstop around even now over a decade after joining in the Masters (see Terry in the picture – this year he was elected to Softball Canada Hall of Fame as part of the 1992 Canadian Men’s World Championship Team). Brought to you by

Trevor Ethier Looking Forward To Even More Success At Home

Born and raised in Saskatoon’s west side Trevor the 41- Softball Federation world men’s championship at year-old veteran, Trevor Ethier has played in some of home. “I’m extremely excited. I’ve been looking the biggest events of long and successful career, just a forward to this for a long time and now it’s finally few blocks from where he grew up, at Bob Van Impe come. Stadium. He has won a gold medal at the Sr. Men’s Canadian Championship and a bronze at the ISF World “Knowing all the support we’ll have not just in Men’s Championships at the historic park. This year, Saskatoon, but from everybody else on our team Trevor would like to duplicate the feat he accomplished bringing family and friends in — there’ll be support the last tie the Sr. Men’s National’s were in Saskatoon. from all of Canada — is just going to be outstanding.”. In 2008 Trevor was part of part of a powerful it certainly was a long-lasting memory for all who Saskatoon Aspen Interiors team that featured 8 players experience that 2009 Men’s Worlds. In front of huge that like Trevor was to play for Canada in Saskatoon crowds of enthusiastic fans Ethier and Team Canada the next year. He was star for Aspen as he was named had a great preliminary round, only to bow out to New the MVP in the preliminary round. As part of the Zealand in the semi final and have to settle for bronze. Delisle National Leasing Diamond Dogs pitching staff and infield this year, he will join former Aspen Interiors His softball career began in the Fairhaven Community players: Pat MacKintosh, Brad Bibby and Mike Lawton playing ball in the park with his dad. It was in 1982 that in the hope of continuing his national’s success. he played on first team called the All Stars at seven years old. He later graduated to the Phantoms It was the 2008 Canadian Championship that cemented organization where he played Squirts through Bantams, a spot on the 2009 World Championship team. winning Provincial titles at Pee Wee in 1988 and According to the teams pitching coach Don Bates, Bantam in 1991. His greatest memory as a Phantom Trevor had an outstanding Canadians. His velocity was was winning the gold medal at the 1991 Western second to perhaps only to Dean Holien and he made Canadian Bantam Championships in Prince Albert. hitters hit his pitches. Just like the 2008 nationals he From the Phantoms he moved on to the Saskatoon didn’t have to ravel far for the 2009 Worlds. Imagine Midget Selects program playing for the AA team for the thrill and pride of being able to hop from the three years. In those years, he attended national pitching mound for Canada in your hometown, to championships at: Napanee, Ontario in 1992, Victoria, represent the country in your old neighbourhood. “It’s B.C in 1993 and the Village of Antoine, New hard to even put it in words,” Ethier, said in 2009, of Brunswick in 1994. His Midget career featured league the opportunity he got to play in the International play in Saskatoon’s tough Special Men’s Division which included the 1994 Senior Men’s National Champion, It’s been a long and bumpy road for Ethier, who was Saskatoon Rempel Brothers as well as the three-time seriously injured in a car accident along with Prince National Junior Champion, Saskatoon Eagles. Trevor Albert Aallcann teammates Mike Gurash and Quinton was challenged every night, pitching against National Matzner on July 7, 1999. They hit a cement culvert. Team great hitters like: Dale Dirks, Dean Holien, “It was one of those things that’s always in the back of Barkley Rocheleau and Terry Wallin, and hitting against your mind. Some days are better than others. It’s just Team Canada pitchers the calibre of Holien, Rob fortunate that we’re all in the situation that we are Scheller. now.” Ethier has a lifetime worth of metal souvenirs. “The ankle’s all mangled. I’ve got pins and rods and Following his Midget playing days, Trevor moved on to screws in there. The back injury and the wrist and the Junior category with the Saskatoon Diamondbacks everything is all healed up pretty good. I came out of it and later to the Junior Merchants. He played in four the best of the three of us.” Junior National Championships in locations as far west as Prince George, B.C to as far east as St. John, New He is a gifted multi-sport athlete. Ethier played junior Brunswick. Trevor has had a lot of help on his road to hockey for the ’s Saskatoon success. He lists the people who influenced him the Blades and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s most as his parents Rupert and Gail and his long-time Battlefords North Stars before becoming one of the all- coach Harry Matzner. At times in his Midget and Junior time snipers for the University of Saskatchewan career Trevor was overshadowed by the guy Trevor Huskies. Even with his years of success on the ice, described as his most memorable team mate, Quinton Trevor considers his most memorable accomplishment Matzner. Quinton grew up and played ball with Trevor to be winning the Gold medal as part of Canada’s since they were very young. Matzner was a pitcher for National Softball Team at the 2003 Pan American Canada’s Youth National Team in New Zealand in Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 1993 when it won the gold medal. Trevor presently resides in Saskatoon, is a teacher and has two children Devyn and Reese. He has slowed don Following his Junior the playing over the years and if is possible he may be career, he played two even more busy with softball than in the peak of his years with Prince playing days. A major part of his teaching assignment Albert Aallcann is to work as an instructor for the Tiger Softball Astros, two years with Academy at Tommy Douglas High School in the Saskatoon Sasaktoon. The Softball Academy is intended to be a Merchants and is now broad-based program geared toward softball in his fourth year with enthusiasts with a range of skill levels and a passion for the Saskatoon Aspen the game and even includes a winter training Interiors. It was in his opportunity down south. This winter Trevor was many years as senior selected by Softball Canada to be part of the Junior ball player that Trevor Women’s National Team coaching staff, joining former gained his greatest Aspen Interiors player and National Team Head notoriety on the Coach, Keith Mackintosh. This July in Clearwater, national front He has Florida, the team finished fourth at the WBSC Junior attended numerous ISC tournaments and has seldom Women’s World Softball Championship. He has also missed a Sr. National Championship since 2000 been very busy over the past few years coaching his including in 2004 where he was named the daughter’s teams. He just returned from Delta BC on tournament’s outstanding pitcher and of course 2008 August 13 after coaching Devyn’s Saskatoon Lasers in when he preliminary round MVP. He was part of the the U16 Canadian Championship. Following a very national team program from 2003 to 2009, retiring summer that included coaching a: provincial, national from the program following his bronze medal in and world championship as well as scouting many Saskatoon. events including the Canada Summer Games, Trevor Trevor pictured to the above after being named MVP of the 2011 will be thankful to settle back in at home. A home that Canadian Native Fastpitch Championships has been very good for him and his softball career.

Métis Softball Legend Joe Gallagher Receives Recognition as Gordie Howe Fastball Field is Renamed in His Honor

(picture above is from the official renaming ceremony) “Joe was well known and very much liked. He had “The word I’ve been using to describe it is surreal,” coached for 40 years. And he was a very community- said Gallagher’s son Brian, who threw out a ceremonial minded person. He was very involved in sports.” opening pitch during the ceremony. SASA president Bryan Kosteroski said officials from A Saskatoon field originally named in honour of one the association started talking about renaming the field of the greatest hockey players of all time has been two years ago, while Gallagher was still alive. renamed to recognize a local Indigenous sporting “There’s a process of due diligence in changing legend. names,” Kosteroski said. “We were surprised when he During a ceremony staged earlier this month, passed away. But that sped up the process of getting Saskatoon’s Gordie Howe Fastball Field was renamed the name change.” the Joe Gallagher Field. On behalf of SASA, Kosteroski had submitted a Gallagher, who was Métis, died in March 2016. He was request to rename the diamond to Saskatoon’s naming considered a legend in Saskatoon softball circles, advisory committee in April of 2016, a month after having played and coached the sport in the city for Gallagher’s death. more than 50 years. Though Brian Gallagher knew others were doing their But Gallagher was known for much more than just his best to honour his father, Joe Gallagher was unaware softball contributions. He held various jobs during his of any proposed changes. life, including being a teacher. “He never knew about it,” he said. “I know he would His career included being an itinerant teacher who have objected.” taught Native studies at every Saskatoon elementary City officials agreed to the name change in mid-May of school. He also assisted with the writing of the this year. Indigenous studies curriculum, still being taught in “The renaming was perfect timing,” said Kosteroski, Saskatchewan schools today. adding a multi-million-dollar reconstruction of the About 750 people attended the ceremony June 6, facility was recently completed. renaming the field. The ceremony was held prior to a Howe, who grew up in Saskatoon and went on to Senior A men’s contest in the Saskatoon Amateur become one of the ’s best Softball Association (SASA). players, also died in 2016. A few weeks later family members are still Howe played 26 seasons in the NHL and six years in overwhelmed that SASA and city officials joined forces the defunct . He was an to rename the field. NHL all-star 23 times and won the Stanley Cup four times with the . Howe’s family members agreed to the name change of the field. The entire Saskatoon-based facility, however, will continue to be known as the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. The facility includes eight softball diamonds and five baseball parks. Joe Gallagher was among those who were instrumental figures and helped raise funds for the then named Gordie Howe Fastball Field way back in 1964. During the renaming ceremony, Brian Gallagher was joined on the field by his brother Dennis and his sister Wendy Sekulich. About 40 members of the extended Gallagher family also attended the ceremony. Playboys vs. Saskatoon Merchants in the 1976 “It was a very emotional moment,” Brian Gallagher Merchants Tournament at Gordie Howe Fastball Field. said. After tossing the ceremonial pitch, Brian Gallagher was Gordie Howe Fastball Field – Full of History given the ball. He in turn gave it to his brother. And Saskatoon’s old Cairns Field set a standard that the his brother then gave it to a SASA official. The plan is Gordie Howe Fastball Field was forced to live up to. to have SASA officials find a location to display the In 1964, the SASA gathered 8900 signatures on a ball. petition to city council for a lighted fastball field and “It was a very special moment,” Kosteroski said of the led by Peter Sereda, a local softball group began raising renaming ceremony. funds to help build and equip the Gordie Howe Kosteroski was not surprised to see the large number Softball Diamond. of people who showed up that evening. In January of 1965 city council approved the funding “Joe was well known and very much liked,” he said. required for construction over three years. With old “He had coached for 40 years. And he was a very Cairn’s Field torn down, teams had to share the new J. community-minded person. He was very involved in F. Cairn’ Field (adjacent to BVI) with baseball for a few sports.” years so they were happy to see that unlike many recent Brian Gallagher lives about five kilometres away from projects, Gordie Howe Fastball Field was completed the field honouring his father. He still finds it ahead of schedule. On June 26, 1966, it opened with a overwhelming that a diamond is now bearing his late men’s league double header. Early SASA men’s father’s name. doubleheaders brought in crowds as large as 1200. One “It’s very emotional,” he said. “I’m not sure how to of the highlights of the opening season was when the describe it. There’s hundreds, if not thousands of King and His Court made a return visit and faced people who will be passing through there every night. pitchers Pete Zacharias and Red Friesen of the It’s one of the best complexes in the world.” Saskatoon College Lads in front of more than 2,500 Brian Gallagher is also touched by the fact countless people. Those numbers came back in 1980 for the final people who didn’t know his father will now be asking of the Sr. Men’s National when Tournament Chairman who he was once they see his name on the field. Lyle Hassen ordered bleachers set past the outfield Joe Gallagher was born and raised in Grandora, a fence and people were told at the gate there were no hamlet located about 25 kilometres west of Saskatoon. seats so they would have to find a place to stand. A He moved to Saskatoon at age 19. huge crowd lined the fences outside the park. When event treasure had to take out the cash for deposit late “Softball was a big part of his life,” Brian Gallagher in the game he had to order a police escort. Some said. “It’s one of the reasons he moved to the city. He Merchant tournaments featured a roped off section in wanted to play softball.” the outfield where people sat on what is now the warning track. By Sam Laskaris, Windspeaker Contributor Over the years this facility hosted an amazing amount of softball including 22 Canadian championships and 3 men’s and 1 women’s world championship. It has the reputation as one of the finest men’s softball parks in the world.