“Howe Happenings” chats with Machibroda on turning pro

Written by Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff


February 9, 2023



Nolan Machibroda had a dream season with the Cumberland University Phoenix. (Photo Courtesy Nolan Machibroda)

Photo roundup filled with busy scenes at Oval and Indoor Training Centre

Nolan Machibroda realized part of an ultimate baseball dream shortly before Christmas.

After having an outstanding final season in college baseball and a strong summer league campaign in 2022, Machibroda signed as an amateur free agent with the MLB’s Minnesota Twins this past December 20. He is currently in Fort Myers, Florida, training with the Twins other minor league players.

For the main feature of February’s upload of the “Howe Happenings” blog, we caught up with Machibroda, who is a graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School. Machibroda has been a familiar face over the years on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

He played for the Saskatoon Diamondbacks under-18 AAA team taking part in a number of games at Cairns Field and Leakos Field. Machibroda played for Team Saskatchewan winning a silver medal at the 2015 Baseball Canada Cup played at Cairns Field and Leakos Field and a gold medal at the 2016 Baseball Canada Cup in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Nolan Machibroda played for Team Saskatchewan the Baseball Canada Cup in 2015 and 2016. (Photo Courtesy Baseball Saskatchewan)

Machibroda discussed the big home run hitting year he had in 2022 with the Cumberland University Phoenix in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Weyburn Beavers of the Western Canadian Baseball League. He also talked about his excitement about playing his first season as a professional and chasing the dream to play in the MLB.

Besides the feature on Machibroda, we have a photo roundup that shows business hitting high gear at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval and the Indoor Training Centre.

You can find these items on the “Howe Happenings” blog at howehappenings306.blogspot.com.

New content will be released on the ninth day of each month. We hope you will enjoy the stories that make up the posts on the “Howe Happenings” blog.

Skaters get set for a mass start at the John Sands Classic on January 15. (Photo by Darren Steinke)