The smell of fresh-cut grass, the sound of baseballs slapping into gloves or meeting bats, the sights of fans cheering.
Every time Scott Gillespie stepped foot into a different Canadian Baseball League stadium in 2026, he was soaking the entire experience in.
After a solid college career and five years in the independent professional circuit formerly known as the Intercounty Baseball League, the Sherwood Park native knew it was time to move on.
It was quite a run for the young man who was once told that he might not be cut out for college baseball.
Gillespie kept going through the unknowns, including injuries in his final season, to live out his dream until it was time to hang up his spikes – on his own terms.
“Everyone has that idea in their head and that dream that they want to play as long as they can,” he told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “You want to make it about you at the end and not let it be somebody else’s decision.”
As Gillespie settles into what he calls “real life” in eastern Ontario, it gives him an opportunity to reflect on his journey while thanking baseball “for the wild ride, the memories and the best years of my life.”
THE DEFINING MOMENT
A product of Sherwood Park Minor Baseball and Absolute Human Performance in St. Albert, Gillespie’s first foray into college baseball was with the University of British Columbia.
He redshirted his first year, then was cut heading into his second season in a moment that forever changed him.
“I was told they didn’t think I could hack it at the college baseball level,” Gillespie recalled. “It drove me for the rest of my time playing as I wanted to be able to prove the doubters wrong.”
The sidearm righthander returned to his home province to join Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge for two years, earning himself a spot with the University of Arkansas-Monticello, where he went 2-1 with 18 strikeouts and an 8.05 ERA in 17 relief appearances over two seasons.
He was also a long-time member of the Edmonton Prospects, spending four summers with the Western Canadian Baseball League squad.
LIVING THE PRO DREAM
Believing he still had more in the tank, Gillespie started reaching out to professional teams across Canada and eventually found himself a home with the Welland Jackfish in 2022.
He went 2-1 with a 6.87 ERA in four games (three starts) in his first summer with the team, then came back in 2023 where the Jackfish collected their first of three championships in four seasons.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound twirler was moved to the bullpen and became a fixture there for two more seasons.
Coming into 2026, he was expecting more of the same until an injury derailed the start of his summer.
He managed to pitch in two games for the Jackfish but was ultimately released.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to throw a ball again,” Gillespie admitted. “Luckily, with rest and recovery, all things worked out.”
When the Hamilton Cardinals started battling some injury woes of their own, they called the 29-year-old to see if he was available.
He quickly said “yes” and made his triumphant return on July 24, putting up a 1-2-3 ninth inning of relief – including two strikeouts – to cap off a 13-1 win over Kitchener.
The Albertan made three more regular season appearances for the Cardinals, who made it all the way to the league championship before losing to the Jackfish in four-straight games.
‘REAL LIFE’ CALLING
While he didn’t make any postseason appearances with Hamilton, Gillespie says his season ended the way he wanted it to.
It could have closed out with his release, but he’s grateful to the Cardinals for giving him a chance to be with the guys for one more summer.
Gillespie says the outpouring of support from the Hamilton players, and even the players and fans in Welland who were watching in the final, was unbelievable.
Teammates and supporters have become close friends and he couldn’t have had any of it had it not been for his dogged determination.
“I’m proud of not giving up on anything and how I got to finish it out on my own terms.”
“Just not taking ‘no’ for an answer and making it my own journey is definitely something that I love the most,” Gillespie said.
And now it’s time to settle into what’s next.
Gillespie just moved in with his girlfriend to a small town just north of Belleville, where he’s chasing his second passion: teaching.
He’s a substitute in the local school district, specializing in junior and senior high social studies and physical education.
“What I love about teaching is that it’s exactly like coaching, just in different aspects of life,” Gillespie said. “You get to coach these kids about their work ethic in school and on assignments, you get to help them improve in other aspects of their lives.”
And don’t be surprised to see him back at the diamond once everything is settled down with the move.
Gillespie would love the opportunity to share some of the wisdom he’s gained over the years and show young players that no two paths in baseball are ever the same.
“Everyone has this idea about playing at the major league level and everyone should have that dream,” he said. “But if that doesn’t work out, there are plenty of avenues to still chase after in the pros or semi-pros and continue living out your dream.”
As one chapter closes for Gillespie, another is about to begin.
