Sunday, July 12, 2009

Knights Player Suspended

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Nashville,TN

In news out of Nashville, sources close to the Knights, and speaking only on the condition of anonymity, are reporting that first year player Don Bernitt has been handed a 4 game suspension for a violation of the leagues standard uniform rules.

Although the suspension can not be confirmed at this time, it can be reported that even to the causal observer, Bernitt has to this point in the season flagrantly violated Rule C Section 103 Paragraph 6 that states in part...."all uniformed players will make at least a half ass effort to have the same color hat on to begin the game."

To fans in attendance, as well as the opposing teams and umpires, Bernitt to this point in the season has stood apart from his teammates by wearing a maroon hat as opposed to the standard team issued Knight Blue hat adorned with Knight White insignia letter.

When approached for comment about the report of his impending suspension, Bernitt said "listen fellow, I'm here to play baseball, period. But, as long as you bring it up" continued Bernitt, "there's 5 or 6 guys here who don't have team hats, can I help it if I'm color blind and bought the wrong color?"

Asked if he would appeal the suspension, Bernitt said that he would confer with his attorney's before making any decisions. "The kicker is" added Bernitt "my attorney's are in China." Bernitt then packed his bag, gathered his passport and boarded a plane for a 2 week visit to China.

See you in a couple weeks, go Knights.

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Knights!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Bad Knight

Knights Fall
Thompsons Station

As scheduled, and following Wednesday nights makeup game that saw the Knights lose in the ninth inning, the stage was set last night for the much anticipated rematch between the Knights and the league leading Tennessee Dirtbags.

With a near capacity crowd on hand for Knights Bobble Head Night, the Knights appeared rested and ready to go as they went thru their pregame warm up leading to the scheduled 7:15PM first pitch.

Following a sterling rendition of the National Anthem sung by Knights first baseman Merrill Jackson, the home team Knights then took to the field ready to do battle as they set out to even the score for Wednesday nights heartbreaking loss.

Unfortunately for the Knights and their fans, the evenings excitement then came to a screeching halt as the well rounded Dirtbags came out swinging. Before the Knights knew what hit them, the visiting team posted 4 runs in their first at bat and from there never looked back.

"Did anyone get the licence plate of that Mack truck that just hit us" asked out fielder Bruce Sloan as he and the rest of the Knights sat shell shocked as the Dirtbags soon jumped out to an insurmountable 9-0 lead after three innings.

"Just one of those nights I guess" said starting pitcher Robin Burnette as he tried to keep an upbeat attitude and turned the ball over to relief pitcher Doug Weaver. As has been his mindset from the season opener, Weaver then took to the hill in an attempt to slow the onslaught and stop the beat down being leveled against the Knights.

"Gentlemen, my bad" said Player Manager Bill Gubbins following the game, "I told Doug before the game that if he pitched I was going to hold him to a 75 pitch maximum, I guess I just forgot to tell him that he didn't have to throw them all in one inning" joked Gubbins as he and the Knights laughed off the final outcome of the game.

As the ole saying goes, you win as a team and you lose as a team. Hey Cumberland Valley Adult Baseball Association don't look now, but the Knights are a team!

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Knights!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Not To-Knight

Knights Let One Slip Away
Thompson Station

For eight innings it was anyone's game. After nine, it was a game for the Knights to look back on as one they let get away.

"Can you believe the game Kevin pitched tonight?" asked Player Manager and starting catcher Bill Gubbins following the game. Gubbins, referring to the brilliant performance of right hander Kevin Wunderlin who made his first start of the season last night for the Knights, then added, "we let them off the hook tonight."

Playing an odd Wednesday night game to meet the scheduling request of the Cumberland Valley Adult Baseball League, and in front of a national television audience, the Knights last night took on the two time defending league champion Dirtbags, and when it was over provided yet another example of why this years Knights are a team to watch as we head towards post season play.

"Yea, I felt good tonight" said Wunderlin as he iced his shoulder down in the Knights clubhouse following the game that saw him pitch 7 strong innings in his season debut. Along with a masterful job pitching, Wunderlin also was involved in several key defensive plays that included being on the front end of not one, but two double plays turned by the Knights.

Along with a near flawless night in the field, the Knights saw flashes of their budding offense as well as they were paced by the three hit night of All Star center fielder Doug Weaver. Along with Weaver, first year Knights Steve Ray and Ross Harkins also chipped in multiple hit performance's to keep the lineup turning.

In the game that saw the Knights and the Dirtbags trade punches throughout, it was in the end the Knights lack of the big hit that cost the game and saw the Knights fall by a final score of 8-6. "We left too many runners on base tonight" commented Knight utility man Don Bernitt following the game. "We had our chances and we didn't come up with the key hit when it was needed" added Bernitt following his own 0-3 night at the plate.

Despite the loss, and the frustration that comes with it, last night again laid witness to the growing legend of the Knights. It is now not a question of if, but instead it is a question of when. When will this team put all the pieces together and show the league that the torch is being passed, and why it will soon be carried high by the Knights.

For fans wishing to see the Knights in action, there is a rare back to back night of action scheduled as the Knights will take to the field again tonight for a rematch with last nights opponent. If last night is a hint of what is ahead, do not be surprised to see the tables turned as the Knights make another strong charge to get back into the winners column. Until then,

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Knights!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

ALL KNIGHT LONG

Knights Pluck Cardinals
Thompson Station

"In baseball, it takes three things to win; hitting, defense and pitching" explained Knights first baseman Merrill Jackson as he expressed his dugout philosophy prior to the start the Knights Tuesday night game in Thompson Station.

Then, playing under a moonlit sky, and in front of a raucous sold out crowd, the Knights took to the field and brought Jackson's words to life as they hit, fielded and pitched their way to a 13-3 dismantling of the visiting Cardinals.

"Gentlemen, good effort all around." said Knights Player - Manager Bill Gubbins after the game. "If we continue to play like this we can and will beat every team in this league." added Gubbins as he watched a spectacular post game fireworks show to celebrate the coming 4th of July holiday.

In a game that saw the Cardinals score in their first at bat, the Knights answered the call of the night as they exploded early and often to set season highs for hits, runs, extra base hits and stolen bases.

Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the second, Knights cleanup hitter Kevin Wunderlin hit a bases loaded double to the deepest part of the park to clear the bases and begin the romp that followed. In the hitting parade that was the evening, Scott McKissack, who had just completed a rehab assignment in Florida, returned to the Knights lineup with two hits and two runs scored to help pace the Knights to the win.

On the hill for the Knights, it was the lanky right hander Robin Burnette who got the start and picked up the win for the now 4-5 Knights. Burnette gave the Knights a strong 2 innings before giving way to Doug Weaver and Mark Gardner who held the Cardinals at bay in middle innings before turning the game over to flamethrower Ross Harkins who shut the Cardinals down and in the process picked up career save number 199.

With the impressive win, the Knights seem to have answered all the preseason questions that swirled around this franchise, and have made it even more clear why if you come to the ballpark early enough you will hear the PA system blaring the song 'I'm A Believer'


Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Knights!