It’s my Parting Shot to ask the question, do Saskatoonians really want a professional sports team or teams for the summer months?…

       I ask because, right about now, you can’t go more than a few days without a major sports event happening. This past weekend, it was the Saskatoon stop on the F-I-B-A three-on-three basketball World Tour. Earlier this week, the NASCAR Pinty’s Series made its annual visit to Saskatoon and Wyant Group Raceway. Last night, the S-K Summer Soccer Series hosted its second of three matches at S-M-F Field and, starting this weekend, the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association will mobilize its army of volunteers and do a bang-up job of being the home for a triple-header of Canadian Fastpitch Softball Championships.

       All of these events will draw very good-sized crowds…the kind that excites the sport organizers to the point of wanting to come back year after year because the interest is here and the volunteerism for all of the events is large, friendly and very well organized!

       The diversity of sports is what makes these events worth attending for residents of Toon Town and area. I find here that committing to buying season tickets for a team sport is a financial and time cost that many aren’t willing to shoulder. Professional baseball couldn’t make a go of it in several attempts. The Rattlers are fighting the good fight against a history of pro basketball in Saskatoon that isn’t exactly sunny.

       In short, as much as I don’t like to say it, because I’d like to believe that this “burg” will support a pro sports team, no matter the time of year, as our city grows like a bad weed…but Saskatoon really is an event town…when it comes to sports!!

      That’s my Parting Shot, I’m Les Lazaruk…