September 15, 2019

By James Sutherland

Canadian Baseball Network

Whether it be on the mound or in the locker room, Campbell Ellis wants to be counted on.

The 17-year-old pitcher, who will make his second straight appearance at the T12 Tournament this week at Rogers Centre in front of pro and college scouts, is both a leader behind the scenes and a big-game performer when the lights are on.

"I just love being the guy who people rely on," he said, in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Being a leader has always come natural to the left-hander, but it's something that has really become prevalent this past year as one of the older players on the Ontario Terriers of the province’s Premier Baseball League.

"I think I've always been a leader type person growing up, especially this year with a younger looking team, a younger pitching staff," he said. "I knew I had to take a leadership role, just guiding them and showing them the ropes."

Terriers’ U18 head coach Dean Dicenzo has seen the same thing.

"He's a great leader for all the young kids," he said. "We have a lot of younger guys now ... and the way he conducts himself on the road is very mature.

“You can give him all the responsibility, pretty much as a captain, assistant coach type kid and he'll take care of it all for you, so that goes a long way."

On the field, Ellis has thrived in the big moments, including the 2018 Canada Cup where he was a member of Team Ontario's gold-medal winning squad.

"I think that was the best I've ever pitched in my life," said the Georgetown native, who threw five shutout innings in both of his starts at the tournament.

"I think learning to pitch in big games like that and big scenarios really helps you become a better baseball player.

“Just being able to pitch under pressure is big, and even if you don't succeed you get to learn from it, so when you get to a bigger stage it's definitely easier to pitch more relaxed. I love playing in environments like that."

Already committed to play NCAA Division I ball next fall at Virginia Commonwealth University, Ellis comes into the T12 Tournament with the confidence of having been through it once before.

"I think playing in the tournament last year was definitely a learning experience for me, just pitching in that atmosphere with all of the best competition in Canada," he said.

"I think the first year was just kind of get your nerves (out of the) way, and (this) year looking to go out there and really perform."