ECABF HISTORY

1950

Ellwood City Little League organized for players 9-12 years of age. the league becomes the first sanctioned league in Lawrence, Beaver, Butler and Mercer Counties. The Moose defeats the Legion, 2-1, in the first game on June 6 at the Lincoln High School Field. The Moose, with a 14-0 record, wins first Ellwood City Little League Championship. Ellwood City participates in Little League World Series and advances to Sectional playoffs. 

1951

The Ellwood City Knee-Hi League is organized for players 13-15 years of age. The Eagles win both halves of the regular season in the four-team to win the title.    

1952 

Through the combined efforts of local civic organizations, the original lighting system is erected at the Ewing Park Baseball Field. 

Ellwood City Little League moves from Lincoln High School to Ewing Park practice field.. The first Ellwood City Little League Tournament is held at the Ewing Park Baseball Field. The tournament, 73 years later, is the second oldest Little League tournament next to the Little League World Series. Ellwood City defeats New Castle, 7-4, to win the first tournament.

1953

The Ellwood City American Legion League is organized for players ages 15-18. The Auto Dealers win the first Ellwood City American Legion League crown in the four-team league. The original concession stand is erected by the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Program with donations from the United Fund.

1955

 Ellwood City reaches the Pennsylvania Knee-Hi League finals in Doylestown. After defeating East Greenville and Allentown, Norristown defeats Ellwood City, 4-2, to win the state crown. The first Tag Day is held to raise funds for the Knee-Hi team's travel expenses. 

1956

Ellwood City defeats Beaver Falls, 5-2, to win 5th Ellwood City Little League Tournament. 

1957

The Ellwood City Pony League is organized for players ages 13-14.

1957

Ellwood City downs New Castle, 6-4, to win the 6th Ellwood City Little League Tournament.

1958

Ellwood City wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. 

1959

Ellwood City is selected to host the Pennsylvania American Legion All-West All-Star Game. The  game, originally scheduled for the Pittsburgh Pirates' home stadium Forbes Field, is moved due to a scheduling conflict. Eighteen pro scouts attend the game held at Ewing Park Baseball Field. The selection of Ellwood City affirms the amateur program's status as one of Western Pennsylvania's premier baseball organizations.  

1959

Ellwood City wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. 

1960

Ellwood City becomes a charter member of the Lawrence County American Legion League. 

1960

Ellwood City hosts the American Legion All-West Game for the second straight year. 

1961

Ellwood City won the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. 

1962

Ellwood City defeats Beaver Falls, 8-5, to win the 11th Ellwood City Little League Tournament and Struthers, OH, 15-0, to win the New Castle Little League Tournament.

1962

Ellwood ity defeats Beaver Falls, 12-1, to win the Ellwood City Pony League Tournament.

1963

The Ellwood City Colt League is organized for players ages 15-16. 

1963

Ellwood City Post #157 wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. The Ellwood City American Legion Post #157 team falls one game short of the Pennsylvania State Tournament. Sharpsville edges Ellwood City, 7-6, in the region final to advance to advance to the state tournament. 

1964

Ellwood City downs New Brighton, 7-1, to win the 13th Ellwood City Little League Tournament.

1964

Ellwood City defeats New Brighton, 3-1, to win the New Galilee Pony League Tournament.

1965

The Ellwood City Baseball Program constructs a Little League field on the northern end of the Ewing Park Baseball Field. The field will become the primary Little League field. 

1965

Ellwood City Nationals edge New Castle, 1-0, to win the 14th Ellwood City Little League Tournament, The Ellwood City Americans edge Beaver Falls, 1-0, to win the New Castle Little League Tournament. Both titles were won on the same day with two different squads.

1965

Ellwood City defeats New Castle, 2-0, to win the Ellwood City Pony League Tournament.

1965

Ellwood City Post #157 wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. 

1966

Ellwood City Americans defeat the National City Nationals, 6-0, to win the Ellwood City Pony League Tournament.

1966

 
The Ewing Park Baseball Field is named Sanders Memorial Field. The field is named after Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Program commissioner Frank Sanders. Sanders was a manager in the Little League and served as commissioner from 1963-1966.  

1967

Ellwood City Americans edge New Castle, 1-0, to win the Ellwood City Pony League Tournament. Ellwood City Nationals defeat New Brighton, 11-3, to win the New Brighton Pony League Tournament.

1967

Ellwood City Americans down Highland, 4-1, to win the Ellwood City Colt League Tournament.

1968

Ellwood City Nationals edge the Ellwood City Americans, 5-4, to win  the Ellwood City Colt League Tournament.  

1969

Ellwood City Post #157 won the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. 

1970

Ellwood City Post #157 win the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. 

1970

Ellwood City Americans defeat Beaver Falls, 3-2, to win the Ellwood City Pony League Tournament. Ellwood City Nationals down Rochester, 4-1, to win Rochester Pony League  Tournament. 

1971

Ellwood City outslugs New Brighton, 12-9, to win 20th Ellwood City Little League Tournament. Ellwood City downs Northeastern, 11-7, to win the Big Beaver Little League Tournament.

1971

Ellwood City outslugs New Brighton, 9-7, to win the New Brighton Pony League Tournament. Ellwood City downs Hopewell, 7-1, to win the Rochester Pony League Tournament. Ellwood City Nationals defeat Ambridge, 12-4, to win the Ellwood City Little League Tournament.  

1971

Ellwood City wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship.

1972

Ellwood City Nationals edge the Ellwood City Americans, 5-4, to win the 21st Ellwood City Little League Tournament. 

1972

Ellwood City Americans down the Ellwood City Nationals, 8-3, to win the Ellwood City Pony League Tournament. Ellwood City defeats Beaver Falls, 4-2, to win the New Brighton Pony League Tournament.

1972

Ellwood City Post #157 wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship to win their fourth straight crown,

1973

Elwood City edges East Liverpool, OH, 6-5, to win the New Brighton Pony League Tournament. 

1974

Ellwood City wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship.

 1975

The Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Program celebrates their 25th anniversary. The organization, which started with six teams and 108 players, has grown to 22 teams and 348 players.

1976

Ellwood City Post #157 wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship.

1977

Ellwood City Post #157 wins the Lawrence County American Legion championship.  Ellwood City  falls one game short of advancing to the Pennsylvania State Tournament. Hermitage defeats Ellwood City, 3-1, in the region final to advance to the state tournament.

1977

Ellwood City defeats New Castle, 6-4, to win the 27th Ellwood City Little League Tournament.

1978

Ellwood City downs Hopewell, 2-0, to win the Rochester Pony League Tournament. 

1978

Ellwood City defeats Hookstown, 4-3, to win the East Liverpool Colt League Tournament.

1979

Ellwood City Post #157 wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship.

1980

Ellwood City Post #157 wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. 

1981

Ellwood City A edges Brad-Mar, 3-2, to with the Cranberry Little League Tournament.

1981

Ellwood City defeats Brighton Township, 5-3, to win the Ellwood City Pony League Tournament.

1983

Ellwood City A edges Ellwood City B, 3-2, to with Ellwood City Colt League Tournament.

1983

Ellwood City wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship.

1985

The Ewing Park Little League Field is named Freidhoff Field. The field is named after Ellwood City Amateur Baseball commissioner Dick Freidhoff. Freidhoff was an organizer and manager in the Little League in 1950 and served as commissioner from 1967-1961.

1987

The Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Program joins Little League Baseball, Inc. and Pony Baseball, Inc. and becomes eligible for World Series play. The baseball program becomes the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation.     

1988

The Ellwood City Instructional League organized for players ages 7-8.

1988

The Ellwood City Minor League is organized for players ages 9-10.

1988

For the first time, Elwood City hosts the Pony League and Colt League World Series Area Tournaments at Sanders Field. Ellwood City wins the Pony League Area Championship and North Allegheny wins the Colt League Area Championship. 

1988

Ellwood City downs New Castle, 11-7, to win the Pony League World Series Area Tournament. 

1990

The Ellwood City Tee-Ball League is organized for players ages 5-6.

1990

Ellwood City defeats Greenville, 8-2, to win the Little League World Series District Tournament. Ellwood City scores 12 runs in their last-at-bat to stun Edinboro Area, 12-11, at Freidhoff Field to advance to the West Section Final. Ellwood City downs North Allegheny-Ingomar, 4-0, to win the West Section Championship and advance to the Pennsylvania Little League World Series State Championship. Ellwood City defeats Williamsport before falling to eventual national champion Shippensburg.

1991

Ellwood City downs Riverside, 7-3, to win the 40th Ellwood City Little League Tournament.

1991

Ellwood City defeats New Castle, 4-2, to win the Pony League World Series Area Tournament. Ellwood City defeats Wheeling, WV, 11-1, to reach the Host Area Championship round. Ellwood City edges North Allegheny, 2-1, to reach the Host Area title game. North Allegheny defeats Ellwood City, 10-7, in the Host Area Championship. Ellwood City falls one game short from reaching the Pony League World Series-the best finish by Lawrence County team since 1954.

1992

Ellwood City edges Moon Township, 6-5, in eight innings to win the Oiny League World Series Area Tournament. Ellwood City edges North Allegheny, 3-2, to reach the Host Area championship game.  Morgantown, WV defeats Ellwood City, 4-0, in the Host Area Championship game. Ellwood City falls one game short of reaching the Pony League World Series for the second straight year.

1993

Ellwood City defeats Lawrence County Suburban, 8-1, to win the Pony League World Series Area Championship.

1994

Ellwood City downs Chartiers Valley, 9-1, to win the Pony League World Series Area Championship.  

1995

Ellwood City Post #157 win the Beaver County American Legion Championship. Ellwood City American Legion Post #157 team falls one game short of the state tournament. Franklin defeats Ellwood City, 8-2, in the regional final to advance to the state tournament.

1995

Ellwood City downs Mon-Yough, 12-4, to win Colt League World Series Area Tournament. Ellwood City falls to Johnstown, 10-7, in West Region Championship round.  

1996

Ellwood City defeats New Castle, 11-5, to win the Pony League World Series Area Tournament.

1997

. Chambersburg, one of Pennsylvania's premier baseball programs, visits Sanders Field  for a Independence Day matchup with the Ellwood City Pony League All-Stars. Chambersburg reached a #3 position in the USA Today High School rankings and their Pony League team will reach the Pony League World Series three times in seven years. Ellwood City Pony All-Stars upset Chambersburg, 6-5 , at Sanders Field.

1997

Ellwood City defeats North Allegheny Black, 11-6, to win the Pony League World Series Area Tournament.

1998

Ellwood City downs Cranberry Township, 6-3, to win the Pony League World Series Area Championship-their seventh title in eight years.

1999

Ellwood City Nationals down Blackhawk, 13-3, to win the 47th Ellwood City Little League Tournament.

2000

The Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation celebrates its' 50th anniversary. The organization, which started with six teams and 108 players in 1950, has 48 teams with 595 players. The federation is the largest baseball program in Lawrence, Beaver and Mercer Counties.

2000

Ellwood City defeats Clarksburg, WV, 10-2, to win the Colt League World Series Section Championship at Morgantown, WV. Hagerstown, MD and Earlander, KY defeat Ellwood City at East Region Tournament in Hagerstown, MD. 

2001

Ellwood City edges Lawrence County Suburban, 8-7, to win the Pony League World Series Area Tournament. Ellwood City wins its' ninth crown in 14 years.

2001

Ellwood City wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship.

2004

Ellwood City wins the Lawrence County American Legion Championship. The victory secures Ellwood City Post #157 their 24th American Legion title.

2008

Ellwood City defeats Beaver Falls, 10-8, to win the 57th Ellwood City Little League Championship. The title is their first in the tournament since 1999. 

2018

Ellwood City Area School District removes the lighting system at Sanders Field due to safety concerns. For the first time since 1952, Ellwood City Amateur Baseball will not have night baseball at Sanders Field.

2019

Ellwood City defeats Mars, 4-2, to win the 68th Ellwood City Little League Tournament. The title is Ellwood City's first in the tournament since 2008.  

2020

Ellwood City downs Riverside, 10-8, to win the 69th Ellwood City Little League Tournament. The title marks the first back-to-back crowns since 1972-1973. 

2021

Ellwood City Pony League teams participate in the 100th anniversary of the first game ever played at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex. On June 21, WesBanco and Hungarian Home play to a 2-2 tie before the game is called due to darkness.