With the New Forest Baseball Club expanding to two teams ahead of the 2024 season, the New Forest Knights are set to get their season underway on Sunday.
The expansion to two teams is a sign of how much the club has grown in the 18 months since their founding in Autumn 2022. Over the winter 25 new players joined, allowing the club’s committee to make plans for teams at two levels of the British baseball pyramid.
On Sunday, the Knights will take on the Bristol Brunels in the South West and Wales ‘Single A’ division. New Manager, Sam Williams, is heading into the season with a focus on developing new players and creating a team in which everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
As well as the Brunels, the Knights will face up against divisional rivals, the Bristol Buccaneers, Cardiff Merlins and Bournemouth Bears in 2024. Cross division games against the Cornish Claycutters, Taunton Muskets and Weston Jets also beckon, as the South West & Wales league continues to expand.
New Forest Knights Manager, Sam Williams, said:
“We’re very lucky to have so many enthusiastic new players on board for the 2024 season. The club is growing all the time, which mirrors how popular baseball is becoming in the UK.
“I’d love to see new players or anyone interested in baseball at a game this season, please get in touch if you think this is the sport for you.”
The new season also brings a new home ground for the Knights, as they’ll play all their games at Ballard School in New Milton. With the scheduled games coming thick and fast, the Thunder will play the majority of their games at Wide Lane in Southampton as the club continues to search for a permanent facility to build an infield and mound.
After being allocated to AAA this season, the Thunder are continuing preparations for their first game of the season against Bracknell on April 28th. With some notable new additions, the team will compete predominantly against the Bristol Badgers and Cardiff Merlins’ AAA side as they look to make a splash at a level the majority of the team have never played at before.
Last season, the Thunder Knights reached the semi-finals of the South West and Wales playoffs, before finally falling to defeat against the Merlins. The Merlins went on to win the national playoffs, before also being promoted to AAA where the two teams will renew a healthy rivalry this season.
If you’re interested in playing baseball, or coming along to watch either team, please get in touch via the club’s Facebook or Instagram pages or by emailing newforestbaseball@outlook.com.
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