New day ’Dons
Three Nova Scotia teams have won the national senior title in the last 37 years
After winning the Canadian fastpitch title last season, the East Hants Mastodons – with many local connections – are poised to take another run at national glory.
There’s nothing like Nova Scotia sports history.
In 1980, the Brookfield Elks won the Canadian senior men’s fastpitch championship at Gordie Howe Park in Saskatoon. It was 18 years later that the outstanding Halifax Jaguars duplicated the feat at St. Croix field in Hants County.
And, with the passing of another 19 years, 2017 saw the East Hants Mastodons win the coveted national title. The Mastodons defeated the Galway Hitmen of St. Johns, N.L., 6-5 in the championship game played, again, at Gordie Howe Park in Saskatoon.
For Chris Hopewell, the Mastodons head coach, it was an unforgettable moment.
“The Galloway Hitmen, from St. John’s, were the five-time defending champions,” Hopewell, 48, of Elmsdale, said. “The feeling was, ‘wow’ — here we are in the last inning leading 6-5. I remember being very nervous. The final play for the third out was a groundball hit to our shortstop. Once the ball crossed the diamond to first baseman Patrick Stewart, it all became very surreal.”
Justin Schofield was the winning pitcher; he pitched all three playoff games for the Mastodons. Hopewell’s club displayed outstanding teamwork, clutch hitting and brilliant play defensively, and in the end, they were No. 1 among some very good Canadian teams.
Three East Hants players were named national all-stars — Joel Isenor (left field), Nick Shailes (shortstop) and Donnelly Archibald (utility).
Besides Stewart, there are a number of Brookfield connections with the Mastodons. Assistant coach Mike Wood and centrefielder Coby Crowell reside in Brookfield; Isenor, Hopewell and Jason Sanford are all former Elks ball players and outfielder Jake Hopewell, Chris’s son, is a former Elks batboy.
Travis Nevin and Darcy Gillis both played junior B hockey for Brookfield and second baseman Jay Duffy, of Stewiacke, starred in junior B hockey for the Elks.
With 2018 fastpitch play now underway, Hopewell described what he feels will be a big year for his club.
“First of all we will be playing the Canadian senior tournament on home soil, at St. Croix field. This has been a dream of our team since our inception. We are very happy to be the host team. East Hants is presently a hot-bed of fastpitch ball along with communities like Brookfield, Antigonish, Timberlea, West Hants and Highland Park. The national tournament takes place Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, we’re hoping teams will send their young players to watch tournament play.”
With another Canadian title goal on their mind, the Mastodons roster has seen little change. Centrefielder Jeff Ellsworth is returning to P.E.I. to play, and East Hants has added centrefielder Mark Johnson, of Branford, Ont. Last October, Mastodons players began working out in a high school gym, continuing to prepare for nationals. Players are with teams in the Shooters Bar & Grill Fastpitch League. The league is made up of Headline Promotions Red Sox (managed by Hopewell) Shubie Lions, Brookfield Elks, Colchester Royals U19, White Rock Rockies and Halifax Pepperjacks.
“Jake and I got to play together the past three seasons with the Red Sox,” an ageless Chris said. “It was a goal of mine to stay with ball until this happened.”
The Shooters Bar & Grill Fastpitch League, with Hopewell as league president, plays Thursday night doubleheaders at three parks — Peter Smith Field in Lantz, Elk Park in Brookfield and St. Croix Field. A season kick-off tournament opened last night in Brookfield and Lantz with play being completed today and tomorrow at Peter Smith Field in Lantz.
Hopewell spoke about the overall East Hants Mastodons ball program.
“Besides the senior team, we have the U23 team, a U16 team, an U12 team and a U10 team. The Mastodons family is growing, it’s nice what is going on for the development of young ball players.”
Befriending a large circle of fastpitch personnel over the years, Hopewell praised efforts by Terry and Matt Anthony, Jeff Fraser, Robin Isenor, Jamie Wentworth, Donald “Pibby” Henderson and others.
An outstanding senior shortstop for 16 seasons, Hopewell played with the Elks from 2000 to 2010.
“I played with some great players. Chipper vantassell was the best second baseman I ever played with, his brother Brookes was a great teammate. Jason Sanford, his determination stood out. I could go on and on.”
The very capable and dedicated Hopewell wears many hats, recently being named as part of a strategic planning team for Softball Canada, 2019-2022.