Ellison to lead Ontario Blue Jays

We are pleased to announce Joe Ellison as Director of Baseball Operations of the Ontario Blue Jays.  Joe will oversee all aspects of the program, as well as college placement and assisting Kyle DeGrace in Player Development.  Joe's organizational skills and strength in administration align with the heavy demands of the role.

In learning of this announcement, Corey Eckstein, former Assistant Coach for Junior National Team, Baseball BC High Performance coach and friend of the program said, “Joe Ellison bleeds blue.  After getting to know him over the last few years, it’s clear he knows the organization inside and out and there’s no one better suited for this position.  He probably hasn’t received enough credit over the years for the amount he does behind the scenes.  I look forward to watching his next move as Director of the organization.  There’s obviously a lot of history within the OBJ program and I have no doubt that will continue with the appropriate people at the helm.”

Joe is not new to the organization.  He joined the program in 2005 following his OBA years with the Mississauga Southwest Twins and Mississauga North Tigers.  His post-secondary and semi-pro career included playing at Cisco College, Conners State College and South Dakota State University, and in the Intercounty Baseball League with Guelph Royals and the Kitchener Panthers while beginning his coaching career in 2010 and being an assistant coach on three of the IBL championship season Barrie Baycats teams. Within the OBJ he has been head coach of the 16U and 18U teams and assisted with 17U.

Kyle MacKinnon, Associate Head and Hitting Coach at McPherson College in Kansas and former OBJ coach says of the appointment, “Joe’s ability to teach on and off the baseball field will make him great in this role.  Having worked with him at the Ontario Blue Jays and now as a recruiter, I don’t think there is a better fit for the Jays.  He completely embodies what it means to be an Ontario Blue Jay and wish him the best of luck in his new role”.