Elliott Sinnwell playing last games as a Comet before joining National Guard

By John Burbridge
sports@charlescitypress.com
CHARLES CITY — It’s often debated among baseball scholars … What type of career stats could have Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams accumulated had they not served their country in World War II during their prime?

We might ask a similar question about Elliott Sinnwell’s senior season with the Charles City Comets.

Through the first week of play, leadoff hitter Sinnwell was among the team’s leaders in hits and runs scored.

In addition to playing the outfield, Sinnwell is also a valuable southpaw on the Comets’ pitching staff. Last season, he matched Tait Arndt for team honors in most pitching wins (5).

But Sinnwell’s time with the Comets is numbered. He is due to report to Fort Benning near Columbus, Ga. to serve with the Army National Guard.

“I decided to join last August,” Sinnwell said. “I want to give something back to our country and still be able to attend college.”

Sinnwell plans to go to Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, but he has no intention to play sports.

“So this is going to be it for me when it comes to athletics,” Sinnwell said. “I wish there could be more games, but the schedule won’t allow it.”

Sinnwell has about three more game dates before having to head out.

“They’re doubleheaders so that means I have about six more games,” he said. “I’ll try to make the most of them.”

Sinnwell’s final school sports year with the Comets has been anything but predictable. Due to be one of the football team’s top returning players on both sides of the ball, Sinnwell opted to go out for cross country instead while citing concussion concerns.

He later said the cross country training helped him get in better shape for wrestling. Sinnwell was a Class 2A sectional champion at 170 pounds this past winter.

Sinnwell was also a returning state qualifier in track, but was deprived the opportunity to return to Drake Stadium when the track season was suspended and later cancelled.

Sinnwell said that he had doubts about the chances of there being a baseball season, and is grateful about the state’s decision of being allowed to play.

“But I can feel it all coming to an end,” he said.