Summertime brings thoughts of fresh air, walks, picnics and — for some — spending time at a ball field, either playing or watching.

If you haven’t had the chance to watch a certain hometown girls’ softball team, then you are missing some excellent ball.

Ellsworth Elite has been playing together for three years under the coaching of Carl Miller, Ron Tenbrink and Katie McWilliams. In the 2019 season, Ellsworth Elite finished in the top 10 in 14 and under ASA State Championship.

The rag-tag team started three years ago, as a group of scrappy 10- and 11-yearold girls who liked softball but had not had the chance to develop their skills.

They received some good coaching and it was off to play in the 12 and younger league. In the home colors of red and black, the “Band of Sisters” would park their tent at the ball park, make their home base and play softball sometime all day and into the night.

The team tries to participates in six tournaments a summer, Coach Miller pointed out, which means the team averages 25-30 games a season. The weekend tournaments are two days with occasionally a Friday night game as well. Tournaments consist of pool play to start, then your team is ranked according to wins and losses and placed in a tournament bracket. All the tournaments have a double elimination rule.

Along the way, Ellsworth Elite players fine-tuned their throws, improved the batting and perfected bunting to use for critical “squeeze” plays.

The first year was tough but Ellsworth Elite found its stride in the 2018 season and did well at the State tournament for 12 and younger in Salina.

Knowledge and performance of the game was really coming together, however; looking to the 2019 season, a few girls would be too old for the 12 and younger league.

There was a decision to be made, split up or stay together and have the team play in the 14 and younger league.

Sticking together was the only choice for the closeknit team. With one 14-year-old and the rest of the team just turning 13 through the 2019 season, Ellsworth Elite moved up. The girls entertained some reservations in the beginning but the gang of spunky gals kept their heads up, listened to their coaches and they slipped into the new league with little trouble.

Ellsworth Elite is a joy to watch, keeping spectators entertained by their intense talented plays and those incredible interesting chants.

The team is unique in many ways.

Ellsworth Elite is all hometown girls. Most teams they play recruit from large areas. The coaches strive to not only coach the girls but also to instill life values.

All games begin with a group prayer that often includes some parents. Ellsworth Elite has built a bond and proudly shows it as they walk in and out of the ball complex by pairs with the song “We are Family” booming from the team speaker.

And family it is as many activities are planned through the year by Carl’s wife, Susan, for the girls and their families.

From Easter egg hunts to a Mother’s Day meal to Dad gift baskets to swim parties to inspirational chalk writings. Ellsworth Elite is — as the song implies, — “a family”.

A highlight for Ellsworth Elite in 2019 was taking home the championship title in Dodge City, chalking up a 5-0 record besting 12 teams. The next tournament was State tourney in Hays in the 14 and younger ASA State Championship. They started the weekend playing the Salina Pink Panthers and winning 4-2. Next they beat Sweet Thunder-Tara 5-3. The last game of the day was with Clay Center, with a high school pitcher who gave them the first loss, 3-5.

Sunday morning the girls came out with a bang and skunked Abilene Flurry 8-0. Their second game went into extra innings against Hays Rampage, a team they had beat earlier in the season. An unfortunate bounce of the ball from field conditions cost them the game and Elite’s season was over with the score 1-2. However, Salina Pink Panther ended up winning State with the one loss to none other than, Ellsworth Elite.

After the heart-breaking loss Sunday, the team gathered to review the game. Coach Tenbrink gave the girls kudos reassuring them they did a great job out there. Hugs and pats on the back for all were exchanged by the team and its loyal “fan club”.

“The girls have come a long way,” Coach McWilliams said of the hometown gang,“and I’m proud of them.”

Coach Miller commented about the team adding to their endorsements, “They are a good bunch of girls.”

Stay tuned as this team will be back strong again next year.

Hey you! On Two! Shake it, but don’t break it cuz WE NEED YOU! Gotta love the dugout chants!