The Knights start the 2017 season… and the 15th season of the team… returning most of their roster from the team that won 20 regular season games in 2016, but also added a few very solid new contributors. The new comers to the 2017 Bristol Knights are two local college players, Tyler Pina (OF/DH) of Mitchell College and Plainville and Neil Kelley (OF/Util) of Pamona Pitzer in California and West Hartford. They add some serious offence threats to the lineup that fell short in the 2016 playoffs. We are also likely adding 1 or maybe 2 strong pitchers to the roster in the coming weeks, stay tuned.
The 2017 roster for Bristol is:
18 Scott Dickens (GM/Coach) – DH/C – 15th year
15 Earl Oakes (Coach) – P/1B/3B – 8th year
17 Rick Barrett (Coach) – SS/IF/P – 8th year
12 Steve Clout (Coach) –  OF – 3rd year
23 Eddie Dickman – C/1B/P – 15th year
45 Drew Gallagher – C/DH – 6th year
20 Julio Osvaldo Ortiz Rivera – OF – 5th year
25 Mike Scanlon – IF/C – 5th year
24 Chris McGrath – P/OF – 4rd year
50 Justin Tokarz – P/OF/1B – 4rd year
11 Kyle Lentini – OF – 3nd year
34 Marco Ross – IF/P – 3nd year
5 Joe Dalton – OF/IF – 3nd year
7 Dan Nunes – OF/IF – 3nd year
27 Nick DiTaranto – P/OF – 3nd year
1 Tyler Favreau – P/IF – 2nd year
3 Tommy Stagis – MI/P – 2nd year
33 Brian Murray – 1B/OF – 2nd year
21 Nick Dzioba – IF/P- 2nd year
14 Tyler Piña – OF/DH – 1st year
2 Neil Kelley – OF – 1st year

In 2017 the Bristol Knights play at a lot of fantastic local fields, including Dunkin’ Donuts Park, Muzzy Field, Rotary Field in South Windsor, McKenna Field in East Hartford, Riverfront Park in Glastonbury, West Road in Marlborough, Wethersfield HS, Rocky Hill HS, Legends Field in Newington, Sage Park in Berlin, Alumni Field in Newington, Rec Park (with a new infield) in Willimantic, and of course some home games at Bristol Eastern High School.

There are a lot of interesting storylines in week 1 of the CTL Season…
The Orioles are the only 2-0 team after one week, and one of only 4 of 10 teams still undefeated.
The Glastonbury Pirates won their first game of the year over the Indians in dramatic walkoff fashion.
The expansion Dodgers rebounded to tie (darkness shortened) the veteran team, the East Hartford Angels after losing a very rusty game 1 to the expansion (sort of) Royals.
Elmer’s rebounded from a tough game 1 loss to the 2016 runners up, Willimantic Ridges… to no-hit the Bristol Knights in their 2nd game, behind the very strong pitching of new LHP Dennis Accomando at Muzzy Field. Bristol had their chances, but couldn’t find a hole for a hit and Accomando looked in mid-season form.
Bristol Knights Marco Ross was the POTG in the first Knights game of the year at Muzzy Field, Pitching a CG shutout 1-hitter over the new, young, and scrappy expansion Expos.
2 Homeruns were hit in week 1 also, one by Tyler McIntyre for Elmer’s at Muzzy Field, and the other by Nate Narducci of the Orioles at West Road.

Week 2 starts today with a game Monday with the Bristol Knights visiting the East Hampton Royals at West Road Field.