A nice piece in the PEI newspaper about Jeff Ellsworth, who played in the recent ISC World Tournament for the Kegel Black Knights of Fargo, N.D. and is playing this week with the Charlotteown PEI team in the Sr. Canadians. Click here to see the actual article with photo of Jeff.

By ERIC MCCARTHY
The Journal-Pioneer
August 24, 2006

ALBERTON — Outfielder Jeff Ellsworth of Alberton was not sounding the effects of sleep deprivation Wednesday afternoon.

“I didn’t sleep last night,” he said. And it was all because of a call he received Tuesday morning notifying him of his selection to Softball Canada’s 2006 senior men’s national team.

Seventeen of Canada’s best male players, including Ellsworth, will represent Canada at the Pan American championships in Mexico Sept. 29-Oct. 9.

“I was just bouncing,” Ellsworth said.

Then he had to wait for Softball Canada to break the news Wednesday before he could share his excitement.

But Mexico is just part of the journey for Ellsworth. He is still one step away from realizing his ultimate sporting goal — playing for Canada in the 2009 International Softball Federation world championship.

Making the 2006 national team puts him on course for that goal. The 2006 Pan Am championships serve as a qualifying tournament for 2009 world championship.

Ellsworth, 28, is the fourth youngest player on Team Canada and one of only two players from Atlantic Canada. The other is Tim Macumber from Nova Scotia.

ONE OF 40 PLAYERS

Ellsworth was one of 40 players named to the athletes’ pool in January. Team Canada was selected from that pool.

Prior to making the athletes’ pool, Ellsworth and other Team Canada hopefuls attended an evaluation camp in July 2005 and were also evaluated at the 2005 ISC world and Canadian championships.

Prospects attended an ISC-sanctioned tournament in Saskatchewan in June and a tournament in Orillia, Ont., attracted eight of the top 10 teams in the world.

Ellsworth leaves Friday for Prince George, B.C., where he will play for the Charlottetown Fawcetts in the Canadian senior men’s fast pitch championship.

Since he has made Team Canada, Ellsworth has decided against an offer to play in Australia during Canada’s winter months. Instead, he will concentrate on staying in shape and working to hold onto his Team Canada spot.

Ellsworth has been playing ball since he was five. His parents, Sheila and Melvin Ellsworth from St.
Lawrence, coached him for his first 10 years.

“They are the reason I’m going,” he said.

Ellsworth checked prices Wednesday for flights to Mexico and airfare would cost in the $800 range.

“If Mom finds out they are only $800, she might be there,” he commented, adding that he’d love for her to attend.

“Hopefully we can bring home the gold.”

Team Canada will hold a camp in Las Vegas from Sept. 23-28 and will fly to Mexico on Sept. 29.

wbureau@journalpioneer.com

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