Ellingsworth, Shannon

Stan Robinson and Gene Waldridge earned their softball halos and wings when they established a 12 & Under girls' team that went by the name Louisville Angels in the late 70's and throughout the 80's.

The archangel on this squad was a young right handed hitting shortstop that learned how to win early and often in her next 10 years in youth ball. Shannon Ellingsworth mastered her softball talents which enabled the Angels to win championship titles galore throughout the decade of the 80's.

Winning followed Shannon Ellingsworth around as did her softball nickname, 'Bucket'. Perhaps they should add another name like wheelbarrow or U'Haul because that is what it would take to load up all of the rings, trophies, and other championship awards that Miss Ellingsworth has accumulated.

I'm not sure who it would be, if anyone, but I believe "Bucket" has amassed the most national and world championships than anyone in the Kentucky Softball Hall of Fame--30 plus and counting!! And those don't even consider her local, state, regionals, and even co-ed success.

Of course, it wasn't just the Louisville Angels. Alter that, Shannon shined on Louisville Roques and Papa John's before jumping into the national softball waters with the Sharks from Kansas City. Those national all-stars won three "A" National titles and were runners up twice, and Shannon was selected to All-World in four of those 5.

In 2004, Shannon shares her fondest tournament memory being down 15 runs in the losers' bracket in the USSSA World at Fort Knox wth teammate and longtime friend, Jose Conlan. They came back to win that USSSA World double-dipping their 2nd place opponent.

One of "Bucket's" rallying cries and superstitions was for the team to open up a Michelob Ultra beer for everyone to sip to help jump start a comeback. The Sharks must have become punch drunk during their 15-run deficit recovery..

Shannon Ellingsworth saved the best for last playing for national powerhouse, Low Bob's, of Kentucky from 2006-2020 capturing 24 of her national championships, winning 761 games in that span and was national MVP at the 2009 ASA "C" Nationals in Meridian, MS and again at the NSA "Upper" World Series in 2012 at Kokomo, IN. From 2009 thru 2014, she was named to 8 All-World teams from ASA, NSA, and WSL.

"Shannon was an amazing clutch hitter, great defensively and very knowledgeable of the game," recalls Low Bob's coach, Ted Carter. Practice, love of the game, playing with great friends and superstars like Jose, and being blessed with great coaches is how Shannon describes her success.

Finally, Shannon's most memorable day came when her daughtr, Terri, shared the field with ole' Mom and that lasted for 13 years. "At first, we turned lots of double plays because Terri was the shortstop, and I was at second base. Then, I went to first and had to dig out Terri's throws. It has been a thrill for me."