BROOKLYN — Brooklyn, P.E.I. resident Jeff Ellsworth went into the 2014 International Softball Congress (ISC) world tournament in Kitchener, Ontario last week knowing it would likely be his last time competing at that level.
He got home Monday morning with a world championship and the tournament’s most valuable player (MVP) award.
Ellsworth was planning on retiring from competitive ball after this year, but he acknowledges his commitment with Canada’s national men’s team could actually take him to next June and July. Either way, he’s not planning competing in any future ISC or ASA (American Softball Association) championships.
“It’s time,” he said. “I’ve thought about this for a long time. It’s a big commitment.”
Indeed, he’s been on the road steady this year since July 31 when he left for the ASA world tournament in South Bend, Indiana. From there he went to Saskatoon to coach the P.E.I. ScotiaBank Reds at the National Under 18 Women’s championship in Saskatoon, and then flew off to Kitchener for the ISC world championship which concluded Saturday with the Hill United Chiefs from Six Nations, Ontario repeating as world champions. They defeated the host Kitchener Hallman Twins 3-2 in the final, scoring the wining run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Click here to continue reading at The Journal Pioneer
Editor’s note: Shades of Ted Williams, home run in final game, round the bases, and gone. Going out at the top of his game. While doing color commentary of one of the broadcasts from this year’s ISC World Tournament, teammate Steve Mullaley called him the best player in the game. There are a select few on that shortlist and certainly Ellsworth belongs on it. Anyone who has had the privilege to see him play over the past decade or so will miss seeing him in the lineup, myself included. But respect for his decision and we wish him well. He has left a large legacy in the game. Thankfully, we’ll get to see him next summer for the ISF World and Pan -Ams in Saskatoon and Toronto. If you were considering going to either event, you now have one more reason. To say you saw Ellsy play.