2025 Season Recap: Thunder and Knights Show Fight, Build for Brighter Future
The 2025 campaign will be remembered as a season of challenges, but also of growth, resilience, and lessons learned for both the Thunder and the Knights. While the final standings may not reflect the full story, the foundation has been laid for stronger seasons ahead. For the Thunder, their debut year in the SWWBL’s brand-new Double-A division brought excitement, learning curves, and plenty of memorable moments. Despite a schedule disrupted by cancellations and forfeits, the Thunder still managed to make their mark with four victories. They opened the season in explosive fashion with a 20–9 victory over the Cornish Claycutters, capped by a towering three-run homer from Shannon Hall. Later, they delivered one of the league’s most unforgettable games, storming back with a nine-run rally in the bottom of the final inning to walk off the Bristol Bats, 17–16. Those flashes of resilience and power proved the Thunder can compete at this higher level — and with a year’s experience now behind them, the team looks well-positioned to turn potential into consistency in 2026. The Knights, holding strong in the Severn Division at the Single-A level, also showed plenty of grit and determination throughout the year. Their lone victory came in thrilling fashion, when Lewis Kelly picked up the win in his first-ever pitching appearance during a 15–14 triumph over the Yeovil Whirlwinds in the second weekend of the season. Later, they produced a comeback for the ages, erupting for a 10-run final inning to earn a 19–19 tie against the Bristol Brunels. Narrow losses in several contests showed how close this group is to turning the corner, and their two hard-fought draws at season’s end proved the fight never left them. Both clubs also leaned heavily on the strength of their wider rosters, with several standout storylines shaping the year. The Thunder called up Knights stars Chris Stickland, Doug Sutherland, and Kieran Jewell after strong performances in 2024, while mid-season promotions saw Simon Schwarz, Mitch Sullivan, and Amber Rainbird join the Double-A ranks as well. Meanwhile, the Knights found fresh energy in a wave of promising rookies, with Sam Powell, Ben Martin, Ernesto Ramos, Luke Callum, and Anna-Lisa Gailey all making their mark in their first season. Their contributions not only highlighted the depth of talent within the club, but also provided a glimpse into a bright future. Taken together, the Thunder and Knights showed that the record book doesn’t capture the full story of 2025. With game-changing highlights already under their belts, young talent stepping up, and valuable experience gained at every level, both teams now look ahead to 2026 with momentum, belief, and plenty more highlight-reel moments on the horizon.
My First Taste of UK Baseball with the New Forest ThunderKnights!
Guest Writer: Alex Markiewicz Having only ever experienced live baseball a handful of times across the Atlantic, I decided it was time to experience what the sport had to offer in the UK. Last Sunday, I headed down to Gracelands Field at the Gang Warily Recreation & Community Center to catch the New Forest Knights in action against the Cardiff Merlins for a double-header. The New Forest ThunderKnights are comprised of two teams who play in the South West & Wales Baseball League (SWWBL), the New Forest Thunder play at the Double-A level and the New Forest Knights play at the Single-A level in the Severn Division. The baseball diamond at Gang Warily is the ThunderKnights new permanent home for the 2025 season. This new space was custom built for the team purely for playing baseball. It was also a move that meant the team would actually play in the New Forest from which their name derives. This isn’t your stereotypical sporting event with huge crowds but this made it more immersive. In-between innings you can hear the players grumbling about umpire decisions or missed opportunities as well as congratulating each other on a hit. The ThunderKnights are a fantastic mix of personalities – you’ve got seasoned veterans sharing the field with enthusiastic youngsters, and it was brilliant to see male and female players stepping up to the plate and making their mark. This diverse blend creates a really welcoming and inclusive vibe, something that truly stood out. What also struck me was the genuine camaraderie between the two teams. Yes, the competitive spirit was definitely there, every player giving it their all, but it was punctuated by moments of great sportsmanship. Seeing opponents high-fiving after a well-played hit or a stolen base was refreshing and added to the enjoyable atmosphere. It’s clear these teams have a mutual respect, making for a positive experience for everyone watching. Now, for someone new to baseball, the idea of a potentially lengthy nine-inning game might seem a little daunting. However, this level of British Baseball operates with a fantastic format that keeps the energy high and the game flowing. Each game has a time limit that means no new innings are to begin after 1 hour and 45 minutes, and each inning concludes if a team gets the standard three outs or the opposition scores five runs. The exception being the final “open” inning, where there is no run limit and teams often push to chase down any score deficit. This clever approach ensures a dynamic pace and makes it incredibly easy to follow. There were no long lulls, just consistent action and strategic plays that kept me on the edge of my seat. Beyond the game itself, it felt like a proper day out. There was a real community feel, with families and friends cheering on the ThunderKnights as well as some travelling fans for the Cardiff Merlins. It’s the kind of event where you can set up your lawn chair, eat some lunch while watching teams who are passionate about showing baseball isn’t just for America. My first taste of UK baseball with the New Forest ThunderKnights was an absolute blast. It’s a sport that’s accessible, exciting, and played by a team with a fantastic spirit. If you’re looking for a fun and engaging afternoon out and live in the New Forest or Southampton area, come and cheer on the ThunderKnights – you might just find yourself shouting “Play ball!” before you know it! British Baseball continues to grow, with teams representing a variety of towns and cities all over the UK. The South West & Wales Baseball League includes teams ranging from New Forest and Bournemouth, to Cornwall, Bristol and Cardiff. Find your nearest team at www.britishbaseball.org.uk.
Knights pick up first win in comeback against Yeovil
The Single-A Knights headed back to Yeovil for Game Week 2, technically a home game but being played at Bradford Abbas due to field availability. Mackenzie Wylde made his season debut on the mound, while there was also a competitive debut for Ian Tiffen. Knights Battle Hard in Game Three but Fall Just Short Against Whirlwinds The New Forest Knights put in a spirited performance against the Yeovil Whirlwinds but ultimately came up just shy in a 14–11 loss, despite a mid-game surge and standout efforts from several players. The Knights got off to a strong defensive start with a quick first out, but a pair of fielding miscues and wild pitches allowed the Whirlwinds to settle in and push across the inning-ending fifth run with just two outs. In response, the Knights capitalized on walks and errors to load the bases, with Sam Williams delivering a sacrifice fly to bring home their first run of the day. Pitcher Mack Wylde took command in the second, recording his first strikeout and combining with his defense for a scoreless frame. The Knights’ offense then roared to life with five hits in the bottom half—bookended by singles from Eddie Donald—as they batted around and posted a five-run inning to take a 6–5 lead. Yeovil responded in the third, scoring four runs after going two down early. A string of walks and a key single from Jason Tew helped the visitors reclaim the lead. But the Knights showed resilience once more, drawing six walks, taking a hit-by-pitch, and adding a single from Wylde to plate another five runs and move ahead 11–9 heading into the final inning. Mitch Sullivan moved from behind the plate to the mound to close out the game, and with the bases loaded and two outs, the pressure mounted. A costly error brought in two runs, and Tew continued his clutch day with a two-RBI single to push Yeovil ahead 14–11. Sullivan recovered to notch a strikeout and keep the deficit at three. The Knights needed a late rally and nearly found one. After two quick outs in the bottom of the fourth, Ian Tiffen reached base with a walk in his first-ever plate appearance. Wylde entered as a pinch runner and promptly stole second and third, but a soft contact grounder ended the game and sealed the Whirlwinds’ third win of the season. Knights Walk It Off in Game Two Thriller for First Win of the Season After coming up just short in Game One, the New Forest Knights responded in emphatic fashion in Game Two of their doubleheader against the Yeovil Whirlwinds, rallying from behind to seal a dramatic 15–14 walk-off win and notch their first victory of the season. Things didn’t start smoothly for the Knights, who loaded the bases early with two hits and a walk, before a dropped fly ball looked set to extend the damage. But a slick double play from Ian Tiffen at second base helped limit the damage, and Eddie Donald capped the inning with his first strikeout, holding Yeovil to just one run. Shaun Barrett led off for the Knights with a walk and a stolen base, but aggressive baserunning backfired when he was doubled off on a flyout. A quick strikeout ended the inning, keeping the score at 1–0. The Whirlwinds opened up in the second, stringing together four hits and a couple of walks to post a five-run frame. The Knights hit back with singles from Lewis Kelly and Andy Bashforth, though Kelly was ruled out after being struck by a live ball. With two outs, Tiffen recorded his first career hit, and Mack Wylde followed with a 2-RBI single. Al Galpin then drove a sharp lineout that was well snagged to end the inning. Yeovil tacked on a single run in the third thanks to 15-year-old catcher Barnabas Csicso, but the Knights responded with three of their own. Mitch Sullivan singled and Sam Williams reached on an error that brought in two runs before scoring on a sacrifice hit by Kelly, bringing the Knights within two. A five-run fourth from the Whirlwinds looked like it might put the game out of reach, but the Knights refused to go quietly, responding with five of their own. Kelly, Barrett, and Tiffen all added hits as the hosts stayed within touching distance. Yeovil edged further ahead in the fifth with two more runs, including another RBI for Jason Tew, who was eventually thrown out at the plate on a close play. The Knights were retired in order in their half of the inning, sending the game to an open sixth with a 14–10 deficit. This time, the Knights’ defense came through, with two quick outs followed by Kelly notching his first career strikeout to hold Yeovil scoreless and set the stage for late-game heroics. That K was later deemed Play of the Day by manager Sam Williams. Mitch Sullivan led off the bottom of the sixth by getting hit by a pitch, and Sam Williams followed with a single to bring him home. Kelly was also hit, and walks to Rozi Hathaway and Eddie Donald forced in a run. Wylde reached on an error to bring in another, before Galpin’s single tied the game. With the bases still loaded, Barrett showed patience at the plate and drew a walk-off walk to complete a thrilling comeback and hand the Knights a well-earned 15–14 win. The team showed grit, resilience, and timely hitting throughout, with standout moments from Lewis Kelly, Ian Tiffen, and Player of the Day; Mitch Sullivan. Manager Sam Williams said of Sullivan’s performance “After getting on base with a lead off hit by pitch in the bottom of the 6th, Mitch’s aggressive base running forced some mistakes from Yeovil to put him on 3rd, but more than that gave us a real shot at getting back in to the game. Our energy went up and that got us pumped up to win”. The Knights will look to build
2025 Opening Day Results
Sunday April 6th was Opening Day for the South West & Wales Baseball League, with both our teams in action. The New Forest Knights returned to Single-A action for the second year with a trip to league newcomers Yeovil Whirlwinds. While The New Forest Thunder moved into Double-A for the first time in a brand new SWWBL Double-A division, hosting Cornish Claycutters for the first games at our new Gracelands Field at Gang Warily. Both teams handed out debuts too, with Grant Benham making his first start for the Knights, and Ryan Bartlett playing for the Thunder. Plus Chris Stickland and Doug Sutherland played their first games at Double-A having moved to the Thunder for the 2025 season. Thunder Open Season with Explosive Win in Gracelands Field Debut The Thunder kicked off their 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, earning a 20–9 victory over the visiting Cornish Claycutters in the inaugural game at their new home, Gracelands Field. Despite a bright start from the Claycutters, Thunder starter Bobby Samuelson quickly found his rhythm, recording his first strikeout of the season before inducing a double play to end the top half of the first inning. Samuelson then helped his own cause at the plate, driving in the Thunder’s opening run with a double. The hosts would tack on two more in the inning to take an early lead. Samuelson kept the momentum going with another clean inning in the second, bookended by a strikeout and a pair of groundouts. He continued to swing a hot bat, adding a second double in the home half, followed by another two-bagger from Rob Holbrook that extended the Thunder’s lead to 5–2. The Claycutters responded with a pair of runs in the third, capitalizing on smart baserunning to close the gap. But the Thunder answered back immediately, turning up the pressure with aggressive baserunning of their own. Their hustle forced defensive miscues from the Claycutters, allowing four more runs to cross the plate. The fourth inning brought fireworks on both sides. The Claycutters mounted a comeback with five runs on four hits and five walks, tying the game at 9–9. But the Thunder weren’t finished. In the bottom of the frame, the home side erupted for 11 runs, batting around the order with a relentless mix of base hits, stolen bases, and savvy baserunning. Shannon Hall, who had been hit by a pitch earlier in the inning, returned to the plate and capped off the rally with a dramatic three-run home run—the first in Gracelands Field history—sealing the walk-off victory under the mercy rule. It was a statement win for the Thunder and a memorable debut for their new ballpark, highlighted by Head Coach Shannon Hall’s historic blast. Thunder Fall Short in Game Two as Claycutters Take 15–6 Win The Thunder couldn’t replicate their earlier success in Game Two of the Opening Day doubleheader, falling 15–6 to the Claycutters. The visitors came out strong, scoring four runs in the first and following up with a dominant eight-run second inning, highlighted by doubles from Cruz Chourre and James Shaw. The Thunder managed just one hit in the opening frame—a double from Angus Blair—and were shut out in the second despite loading the bases. The Claycutters extended their lead with three more runs in the third, but the Thunder showed signs of life, plating five in the bottom half thanks to a flurry of walks and hit batters. A scoreless fourth for the Claycutters gave the Thunder a chance, but a quick three-out inning ended any hopes of a comeback. The loss leaves the Thunder 1–1 to start the season after a mixed Opening Day at Gracelands Field. Knights Fall Just Short in Season Opener Against Whirlwinds The Single-A New Forest Knights opened their 2025 campaign on the road with a high-scoring thriller, narrowly falling 16–15 to the Yeovil Whirlwinds in the league newcomers’ debut outing. The Knights set the tone early, with Andy Bashforth drawing a leadoff walk, swiping two bases, and scoring on Mitch Sullivan’s RBI single—the first hit of the game. That combination of patience at the plate and aggressive baserunning helped the Knights plate five runs in the top of the first. The Whirlwinds answered immediately, matching the five-run tally in their half, highlighted by a triple from Aiden Johnson. The second inning followed a similar script, with Bashforth again walking, stealing bases, and scoring, as the Knights knocked five singles and batted around for another five runs. But the hosts kept pace with three more singles of their own and added five runs, despite Knights pitcher Leigh Froud picking up his first strikeout of the season. Tied 10–10 entering the third, the Knights edged ahead with a four-run inning. Sullivan ripped an RBI double and scored on a single by player-manager Sam Williams, while Amber Rainbird picked up her first hit of the season. A close play at the plate and a strikeout left two runners stranded, keeping the score within reach. Yeovil responded with a two-out rally, capped by a two-RBI single from Andrew Vittles to put the Whirlwinds ahead 15–14 heading into the final frame. In the fourth, Bashforth led off for the fourth time and notched his first hit of the day, capping a perfect 1.000 OPS outing with three walks and eight stolen bases—including a daring steal of home. The Knights added one more run to tie the game but left the bases loaded after a pair of strikeouts and a groundout halted the momentum. Sullivan took the mound to close, quickly recording a strikeout, but a walk and a stolen base set the table for Johnson, whose single brought home the winning run. Yeovil walked it off 16–15 in a dramatic finish. Despite the loss, the Knights showed plenty of promise at the plate and on the basepaths in a game packed with offense and early-season excitement. Knights Overpowered in Game Two as Whirlwinds Complete Sweep The New Forest Knights couldn’t slow down the red-hot Yeovil Whirlwinds
Ground-Breaking News! New Forest Baseball breaks ground on a diamond at Gang Warily Recreation Ground.
The New Forest Thunder Knights have taken a huge step towards bringing a home for baseball to the New Forest. Entering their third season, New Forest Baseball Club have installed a diamond at Gang Warily Recreation Centre to provide a dedicated space for training and for games in the South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL). Gracelands Civil Engineering and Groundwork (Gracelands) kindly donated their time and resources to dig out the four bases and pitching mound, with members of the baseball club picking up the tools over the weekend to get the work completed. More than 20 of the current team turned out to be part of building the new home of New Forest Baseball, with New Forest Tea Co. providing refreshments. The team’s Fundraising Manager, James Knight, said: “When we started this club three years ago, we never could have foreseen the levels of success we’ve reached in such a short amount of time. From first year playoffs, to second year expansion into two teams, to a true home in our third year, our club just keeps growing. “None of this would have been possible without support from our players, families, friends, Fawley Parish Council, Gracelands, or our other sponsors and donors through the years. A massive thank you from all of us!” As a thank you to Gracelands, the field will be named “Gracelands Field at Gang Warily” for the inaugural season. It wasn’t just through support from Gracelands that the field was possible. The club managed to raise more than £2000 via crowdfunder over the winter break, with contributions from friends, family, and the wider baseball community. Ibstock Bricks also donated vital material for the building of the pitching mound. The field will host weekly training sessions on a Wednesday as well as games for both the AA New Forest Thunder and the Single A New Forest Knights. Opening Day for the British Baseball Federation is 6th April, with the New Forest Thunder kicking off their campaign in the AA League against the Cornish Claycutters. Come down as the first pitch at the new ground is thrown, and the first game of baseball is played at our new home. Notes:
2025 Fixtures Announced
The 2025 British Baseball season is fast approaching, and now we have confirmation of which leagues our teams will play in and who their opponents will be for 2025. New Forest Knights will continue at the Single-A level in the South West & Wales Baseball League; Severn Division. This year there will be no inter-divisional play and so the team will have games against Bournemouth Bears A, Bristol Buccaneers, Bristol Brunels, Cardiff Merlins A, Weston Jets and SWWBL newcomers Yeovil Whirlwinds. Knights open the season with a trip to Yeovil on Sunday 6th April on Opening Day, with the return fixture the following weekend. The Knights end the season with a trip to Bristol to play the Brunels on July 27th. Meanwhile the New Forest Thunder will play the 2025 season at the Double-A level, after having played at Triple-A in 2024. They join the newly formed SWWBL Double-A Division alongside Cardiff Merlins AA, Bournemouth Bears AA, Bristol Bats, Cornish Claycutters, Taunton Muskets and another newcomer to SWWBL; Wellington Khaki Sox. Thunder are at home for Opening Day, with the Cornish Claycutters being the first visitors to our new diamond at Gang Warily. Thunder’s final game will be on August 3rd when they travel to local rivals Bournemouth. One key date to look out for is Sunday July 13th; Derby Day! The Knights host Bournemouth Bears A at Gang Warily, and at the same time the Thunder travel to Bournemouth to play Bears AA. The full fixture list for both our teams can be found here: https://newforestbaseball.co.uk/fixtures/
ThunderKnights Crowdfunder Success
After launching a Crowdfunding campaign in late 2024, New Forest Baseball are thrilled to announced that the campaign has successfully raised the funds required to allow the build of a permanent home diamond. Thanks to the incredible generosity and support of our players, their families, friends, and the wider community, we have reached our fundraising goal and are now set to build a dedicated baseball field at Gang Warily Recreation Centre. This milestone marks a huge step forward for the ThunderKnights, one of the fastest-growing baseball clubs in the UK. Since our inception, we have fielded two competitive teams and expanded rapidly, proving that baseball has a strong and passionate following in the New Forest. With this dedicated facility, we can provide a consistent, high-quality playing environment and continue to grow the sport within the community. But the hard work doesn’t stop here! The ThunderKnights will be rolling up their sleeves and putting in the labour to construct the field themselves, ensuring that every member plays a part in shaping the future of baseball in the New Forest. What’s Next? With the funding secured, work on the field will begin in the coming weeks, with the goal of having it ready for the upcoming season. This dedicated baseball diamond will not only benefit our current teams but will also allow us to explore new opportunities such as Youth Baseball, ensuring a bright future for the sport in our region. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this campaign—whether through donations, spreading the word, or offering support in other ways. This is a momentous achievement for our club, and we can’t wait to take to the field and play on a pitch that we can finally call home. Thank you for making this dream a reality—see you on the field!
New Forest announced for Showdown by the Severn
New Forest Baseball is excited to announce that they will be sending a team to take part in Showdown by the Severn, a four team one-day tournament being held in Bristol on Sunday March 30th 2025. Joining the ThunderKnights will be Bournemouth Bears, hosts Bristol Baseball Club and newcomers to the South West & Wales Baseball League; the Yeovil Whirlwinds. The event is taking place at Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham and everyone at New Forest Baseball is looking forward to taking part. Baseball is (nearly) back!
New Forest Baseball Launches Recruitment Drive Ahead of 2025 Season
New Forest Baseball is inviting new players to come and try the great American pastime as they work on developing a permanent home. Following permission from Fawley Parish Council, the club will soon be installing a pitching mound and bases at Gang Warily Recreation Centre. This will give the Thunder Knights a permanent home in the New Forest, fulfilling one of the key ambitions that the club set out to achieve on their founding in 2022. With the sport set to be played at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and Major League Baseball continuing to play a yearly series in London, enthusiasm for the sport is growing across the UK. The British Baseball Federation now contains clubs from all over the UK, with the Thunder Knights predominantly competing against teams in the South West of England. As the preparation for the new field continues and baseball itself grows in popularity, the club is now recruiting for new players ahead of the 2025 season. No experience is required, although those that have played before are definitely welcome, equipment is available to borrow and thorough coaching is provided. Since its founding in 2022, New Forest Baseball has doubled in size with players joining from Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester. To ensure the long term future of the club, more committed players are always needed. Anyone aged 16+ is welcome, with both men and women playing in both of the club’s existing teams. “As one of the new players that joined the Thunder Knights after their founding, I have been made to feel incredibly welcome. The chance to play an exciting and ever growing sport is something I have loved doing and I would encourage anyone thinking of trying something new to come and have a go.” New Forest Knights Co-Manager, Lewis Kelly The Thunder Knights are currently at the start of their pre-season training, using sports halls across the region to practice on a Sunday morning. During the season this will move to Gang Warily on a Wednesday evening. The club has entered the Thunder in the BBF’s AA division for the 2025 season, with the Knights continuing at the Single A level. For more details please contact us via Instagram, Facebook or by emailing info@newforestbaseball.co.uk.
ThunderKnights Launch Crowdfunder to Build Baseball Field in the New Forest
New Forest Baseball are launching a crowd funded to support their goal of building a brand new baseball field in the New Forest. Being one of the newest and fastest growing teams in UK Baseball, The ThunderKnights provide two welcoming, inclusive, and competitive teams based in the New Forest. Growing on the success of the first two seasons, which saw team numbers expand exponentially and the club fielding two teams last season, the team are looking to cement their place in British Baseball by building their own field. After fielding a ‘Triple-A’ team and a ‘Single-A’ Team in the South West & Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) 2024 season, the ThunderKnights look to field a Double-A and Single-A team this year and continue their on-field success. Earlier in 2024, Fawley Village Council approved the installation of a baseball diamond at Gang Warily Recreation Centre. Achieving this dream of building a home for baseball in the New Forest will help the ThunderKnights take their next steps by providing a consistent, quality area to play games and grow the sport. The dedicated field will be a huge step in providing quality baseball facilities to the New Forest community, with plans to continue to run two teams in the coming season and explore offering options for Youth Baseball. The team themselves are not only putting in commitment on the field through stellar play and sportsmanship, but the team members will be getting their throwing hands dirty by building the field themselves. This would not be possible without the support of our team members, their families and friends, and our wonderful sponsors. How can you help? Donations are currently being accepted on our Crowd Funder page which can be found at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/newforestbaseball, Any donations are a huge help in setting up a permanent home for baseball in the New Forest, and donations will be put towards the materials required to install a diamond, and any specialist labour required. Anyone interested in giving baseball a go, or playing for the team next year should contact the club via email at newforestbaseball@outlook.com or via any of the social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook).