SASKATOON — Ball season may be short, typically running from May to early September but Saskatoon’s economy scores big during ball season. Continual events held in both baseball and softball, as well as the increasing popularity of the Saskatoon Berries keeps the city in hosting duties all season long.
Anytime events are hosted in a community, it brings multiple benefits including boosting the economy as well as adding exposure for the community itself. Hundreds of thousands of dollars come back into Saskatoon as a result of the five-month ball season.
Gordie Howe Sports Complex Board Chairman, Bryan Kosteroski, confirms that their entire complex probably has an economic impact of $100M. Even activities like hosting a camp of 40 out of town athletes over four days means the players come with their families, and it might be a small thing but it definitely provides spinoffs for the city.
Showcasing the state-of-the-art facilities and the city itself are added bonuses to the economic benefits that come with ball season events.
Mark Loehndorf, Events Manager for Gordie Howe Sports Complex tells SaskToday, “There were 138 baseball events this summer with 25 more scheduled for August. This included 30 Berries games to date, provincial championships as well as four different leagues play games here in U18Aa, 18UAAA, SBL and SMBL."
The Berries play their last regular season games over the August long weekend and will have home field advantage for playoff games as a result of their season's record.
Diamonds aren’t just a girl’s best friend as Saskatoon economy scores in softball season. Saskatoon softball is expansive as they not only host numerous teams in minor divisions that involve tournaments, provincial and at times, Western Canadian or Canadian events, the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association also offers an array of events hosted.
This season alone, Saskatoon has played host to Softball Canada national championships for U20 men and the women’s division. Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Canada squared off in a World Men’s 4-Nations Cup event held early in July. Eight varying levels of provincial softball competition were hosted in Saskatoon, along with several tournaments throughout the season, all drawing in teams and their fans from out of the city.
President of Baseball Saskatoon, Kevin Wright says in 2025 alone they have hosted five provincial championships, two Western Canadian championships and 10 Saskatoon tournaments, the most prestigious being the Evan Thomas 15U Memorial Tournament and the Quinn Stevenson 18U Memorial Tournament. As well, three out-of-town teams play in the Saskatoon league.
The Baseball Saskatoon President also acknowledges, “Saskatoon, in our opinion, has the best baseball facilities in Saskatchewan. Kilburn Park and Sifton Park for 11U,Geoff Hughes and Riversdale Kiwanis for 13U, Nutana for 15U, which the organization leases from the city and operate. Then 18U division is at Cairns and Leakos fields which is part of Gordie How Sports Complex. There is also baseball hosted at Waygood and McCourt diamonds for 18U as well.”
Berries are big
“The biggest baseball story in Saskatoon is the Saskatoon Berries. Our partnership with them has been great. They sponsor the Rally Cap division and have Baseball Saskatoon zone nights at their games. All 50/50 sales go toward Baseball Saskatoon. They run a Baseball Academy throughout the off season at the Gordie Howe Indoor Sports Complex, which improves the skill level of players in Saskatoon. The Berries have former Baseball Saskatoon players on their roster. The Berries are really getting people excited about baseball,” states Baseball Saskatoon President.
It's no secret that the two-year-old Saskatoon Berries franchise in the Western Canada Baseball League is a drawing factor. The ongoing marketing campaign and their successful season on the diamonds in 2025 are bringing in fans from all across the province as well as western Canada. Out of town fans often spend a night, meaning food and fuel purchases are also involved, and merchandise sales continue to be a hot commodity with fans, regardless of where they are from. Local fans often patronize sponsoring businesses or local pubs and restaurants before or after games, meaning additional contributions to the city’s economy. Employment with the team, and at the diamonds, is another economic benefit.
On the softball side, Loehndorf says there are eight diamonds at the complex that include BVI, Joe Gallagher and six Glen Reeve diamonds that are booked every Monday to Thursday for SASA league games as well as some SMSL league games. SASA league games in playoff time can be stretched into August. Tournaments are scheduled for all but four weekends from May 10 to Aug. 31
“The diamonds are busy during fall with two University of Saskatchewan hosting weekends and SMSL fall ball three times a week from the end of August to Thanksgiving weekend,” adds Loehndorf
All of this ball activity doesn’t just include local teams and players. Out-of-town teams and their support teams and fans travel to the city as well. Umpires for big events aren’t always local. Representation from Softball Sask. Baseball Sask., Softball Canada and Baseball Canada are also part of those who attend provincial and national events.
The value of ball
Loehndorft says he doesn’t have exact figures for this year’s championships but offers a positive picture for what ball season represents to the province and the city of Saskatoon. Economic impact doesn’t just come in the hospitality sector as there are wages for jobs that are part of the multiple events hosted; products and supplies needed for events purchased locally as well as tax revenues from purchases made while experiencing Saskatoon for the ball event attended.
Ball season’s value for the city of Saskatoon may not always be obvious or acknowledged.
Cairns Field is touted as one the best baseball facilities in Western Canada, and although Leakos Field is not lighted, it provides another solid baseball diamond for leagues and tournaments. Baseball Saskatoon says improvements are ongoing.
“The softball facilities are world-class. Two lighted stadiums that have hosted four World Championships. The 2015 Men’s World Softball Championship saw over 50,00 fans walk through the gates in the 10 days of the event. We also have six shale and fenced diamonds including one with a full scoreboard,” says Loehndorf.
The GHSC works with the City of Saskatoon and Discover Saskatoon to help hosting partners make their event a success. GHSC does not actually host the event but works with their partners to host them. Loehndorf also says the GHSC encourages the use of Discover Saskatoon and provides hosting guidance when needed. Discover Saskatoon is are Gold Sponsor of the two national championships the SASA is presently hosting in Saskatoon July 28- Aug 3.
Steph Clovechok, CEO of Discover Saskatoon adds, “Saskatoon's sports scene continues to drive tourism and economic growth, with teams like the Saskatoon Berries drawing thousands of fans and boosting local business. In 2025, the Berries' standout season helped energize the city ahead of hosting the 2026 WCBL All-Star Game next year. This upcoming event is expected to attract visitors from across Western Canada.”
“This week, Saskatoon is also hosting the U20 Men's and Women's Canadian Fast Pitch Championship at Bob Van Impe Stadium at the Gordie Howe Sport Complex. Discover Saskatoon plays a supportive role in securing major national tournaments like this through collaborative efforts with local partners. These events not only showcase our city's hospitality and facilities but also ensure that visiting teams and fans are staying in local hotels, dining locally, and experiencing everything Saskatoon has to offer.”
A current fundraising campaign is underway to help support upcoming capital projects at the complex to improve the facility all around for creating an even more desirable and world-class facility.
It’s a home run for Saskatoon’s economy when ball season is on.
