Softball teams back in action
Three P.E.I. teams competing in under-16 fastpitch tournament in Richmond
RICHMOND, P.E.I. — Jeff Ellsworth acknowledges it will be a special moment when the teams take to the field in Richmond on the afternoon of July 23.
Five teams will compete in the Red Isle Realty Under-16 Atlantic Fastpitch softball tournament, July 23 to 25.
“The girls have been training so hard, and they are going to be rewarded after the COVID pandemic with a good quality event,” said Ellsworth, head coach of the P.E.I. Under-14 Whitecaps and a tournament organizer.
Ellsworth said the Whitecaps trained every week since January since finalizing the team roster in December. Despite all the challenges presented by COVID-19, Ellsworth cannot say enough about the dedication his players have displayed.
“When we went to the Stratford indoor complex (for training during the winter) whether it was signing in, wearing your mask, staying six feet apart during team huddles, they were so respectful of the rules and regulations,” said Ellsworth. “They worked hard, trained hard and had intra-squad games against each other in Stratford during the winter. They were juggling other sports, school and are so dedicated.”
Along with the Whitecaps, Stratford and the Riptide team from the Rustico and East Royalty areas will also represent P.E.I. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador will be represented by its provincial under-14 team. The Saint John Southern Black Bears under-16 team carries the New Brunswick colours. There are no Nova Scotia entries due to COVID restrictions in that province, said Ellsworth.
“The tournament is a U-16 calibre division,” said Ellsworth. “Our program and Newfoundland are U-14, but we wanted to play in a higher division.”
LOCATION
Ellsworth is excited that all tournament games will be played at the Richmond diamond. Previously home to the Richmond Red Sox minor baseball program, the field had not been used in recent years.
A conversation between Ellsworth and Rte. 2 Success owner Brian Arsenault led to some improvements and converting the field from baseball to softball.
“We trained inside Brian’s facility Rte. 2 Success all winter, and then we touched on what was going to happen with the ballfield next to the facility,” said Ellsworth. “Brian was more than happy to talk about getting it back up and running.
“We have players travelling from Souris and all over P.E.I., and if we go there and it starts to rain, then we can go indoors and train at his new turf facility inside. We are getting the best of both worlds right now.”
Ellsworth said the early reviews have been positive. He recalled the Whitecaps played a recent exhibition game in Richmond before a big crowd.
“People love driving by and seeing ball happening,” said Ellsworth. “They stopped in and watched, and it’s an awesome story. It’s going to be a fun weekend providing the weather cooperates.”
Morgan Murphy, the owner/broker of tournament sponsor Red Isle Realty, is thrilled the young players are competing again.
“Any time you kids have the opportunity to get back on the field, it’s pretty special,” said Murphy, a longtime competitive softball player. “I look forward to being at the ballfield finally again for a tournament, no matter who is playing or what it is. Just to watch, be around and have that feeling again is a big thing.”
FORMAT
The teams will play a single round-robin format that will determine the semifinal matchups.
The championship game is scheduled for July 25 at 3 p.m.
The two finalists will play six games in three days.
“Stratford and the Southern Black Bears are travelling to Newfoundland in mid-August for the Eastern Canadians,” said Ellsworth. “We wanted to put together a tournament that is high calibre with good pitching that is going to challenge everybody to prepare them for their bigger events coming up later this summer.”
Ellsworth said fans will be treated to stellar pitching and strong play on the field.
“We have some kids who are going to be hopefuls in 2025 with the Canada Games program,” said Ellsworth. “These girls can flat-out play.”
The Whitecaps open with back-to-back games on July 23 at 4 and 6 p.m.
“We have two big games that day against Saint John and Newfoundland,” said Ellsworth. “That’s a great day of ball right there.”