April 30, 2020

By Lukas Weese

Canadian Baseball Network

Elijha Hammill was 14 when he first experienced baseball pressure.

It was the 18U Ontario Terriers taking on the University of Tampa baseball team in Florida and Dean Dicenzo, Terriers head coach, inserted Hammill into the lineup.

The youngster shined on the big stage, paving the way for being a member of the Canadian Junior National Team and his recent commitment to the University of Utah.

“Our advisor, Scott VanderValk told Elijha that he’s going to be leading off and playing second base,” Dicenzo said. “I’m sure he was a little nervous but he’s a good actor. Very confident as a young kid.”

Hammill first interacted with Utah Utes representatives at Tournament 12 last September. The University of Utah operates one of many successful programs in the Pac-12 and it offers players similar living conditions to Canada. This made Hammill’s decision to commit to Utah an easy one.

“That’s where all the top teams are,” Hammill said about the Pac-12. “Along with a great business management/entrepreneurship program, committing to Utah was the right choice for me.”

After his appearance on the 18U Terriers in Florida, Hammill became a consistent member of the team in 2019. As one of the younger players on the team, the Oakville, Ont., native faced better pitching. Under Dicenzo’s leadership, there is an emphasis on a variety of skills. As an infielder, Hammill works on his speed as well as hitting the opposite way.

“Dean wants us to focus on being smooth, not being eaten up by errors,” Hammill said. “You are going to make errors, so it’s important to stay relaxed, play baseball, and show off your skills.”

For Dicenzo, putting his players in various scenarios improves their chances to succeed at the college level.

“I need to make them well-rounded players,” Dicenzo said. “They are up to speed, whether it is playing small ball, or running the bases. They will play so many games where many situations happen. It needs to become second nature for them.”

Hammill has showcased his speed playing for the Terriers. His switch-hitting allows the Class of ’21 prospect to swing the bat with power, as evidenced by his exit velocity of 93 miles per hour at the 2019 Future Game. Defensively, Hammill has good hands and is very intelligent in the infield.

Like his time with the Terriers, Hammill’s progression with the Canadian Junior National Team continued this spring. While he learned the ropes during his first year with the juniors, Hammill used this year’s spring training to produce on the field.

Against the Toronto Blue Jays before baseball suspended its operations, Hammill went 2-for-3, including a stolen base.

“Coach Greg Hamilton told us to seize the opportunity and fight for your spot,” Hammill said. “The National Junior Team has given me more exposure to how baseball is played in different parts of the world.”

Dicenzo recalls Hammill’s growth when the Terriers played a tournament in Oklahoma. Competing against topnotch baseball schools such as Tennessee, Mississippi, and Vanderbilt, Hammill struggled in the first three games. But eventually, the teenager got comfortable, making highlight-reel plays at shortstop.

“One of the Tennessee coaches came over to me and said, ‘I can have Elijha come down any time, he’s special,’” DiCenzo said.

Despite COVID-19 putting the baseball season in doubt, Hammill remains optimistic. The recent Utah commit communicates with his teammates via ZOOM. He sprints five days a week in an open field near his house while hitting balls into a net in his backyard.

Hammill’s passion for baseball motivates him during these challenging times and his experiences with the Terriers and Canadian Junior National Team prepared him for getting better during this hiatus.

“The stoppage is an opportunity to get better,” Hammill said. “When baseball comes back, I want to stay at the top of the order and be the best player I can be.”