The long road of the regular season starts TONIGHT at 8pm. Between now and the beginning of August, we play 26 games and then on to the playoffs. I think we should be a much better team this year than last year when I think we underperformed. We have a new batch of young talent in the mix, and I think a formidable roster. Lets have some fun and win more than we lose… and add a 3rd league title (4th including Fall) to our trophy case. As you probably know, I (Scott) have more things taking up my time these days… a 1 1/2 year old at home, responsibilities at work, and more… so I am not running the show on my own this year. Brian LaRochelle has stepped up to be co-manage with me. He will be more of our game manager, while I’ll be more of the GM. Earl Oakes and Rick Blais have also stepped up to help with the running of the team in some capacity also. Earl has helped fantastically getting us preseason practice space and instruction, while Blais is helping with the running of the team too. Thanks fellas for your help. Good luck this year and see you at the game. – Scott Dickens

Here is a writeup Brian put together that covers pretty much everybody. We may have a couple roster additions depending on a couple specific situations… we’ll see.

2014 Knights Season Preview
The Knights are coming off of a disappointing 2013 campaign, where the squad finished with a 9-17 overall record including a first round playoff defeat at the hands of the Expos. The pitching staff was a bright spot for the 2013 Knights, working to a 2.76 ERA as a unit and limiting the number of free passes issued to opposing batters. The offense was more sporadic, hitting .251 for the summer. The lineup demonstrated the ability to bunch runs together when at full-strength, including a late-season doubleheader outburst at Muzzy. The order features a number of patient and experienced hitters. Cutting down on strikeouts will be a key to this upcoming season. Coach and General Manager Scott Dickens has fortified the roster with some solid new additions, many of whom will immediately impact the squad. Here’s a breakdown of the 2014 unit:
PITCHING
Right-handed submarine pitcher Lucas Palma (2013: 4-4, 2.11 ERA) headlines the returners. Lucas was a workhorse last season, pacing the staff with 53 IP, 40K, and a 1.09 WHIP. He is coming off a spring as a short reliever at Rivier (NH) and is looking forward to getting stretched out this summer. Right-hander Rick Blais (4-3, 2.95 ERA) exhibited stellar control in ’13, walking only 10 batters over 40.1 innings, providing gutsy performances in both starting roles and out of the bullpen. Another righty, Rick Barrett (1-3, 3.09 ERA) battled through some tough defensive evenings by the Knights, contributing 34 innings to the cause. Hard-throwing former Oakland A’s farmhand Earl Oakes (3 saves, 0.00 ERA) returns at the back-end of the bullpen. Earl struck out 12 batters in 8.2 innings last summer and hopes to be on the bump with more leads in 2014. Another hard-throwing righty, Sean Lopata, joins the Knights staff for 2014. Sean was a solid starting pitcher for South Windsor High School and Legion and threw for Western New England in a relief role during his collegiate years. He will compete for innings immediately. Longtime Knights stalwart righty Lucas Nickerson will also see innings in 2014.
INFIELD/CATCHER(S)
The 2014 Knights roster is well-stocked behind the plate and at the corner infield positions. The Knights feature four left-handed hitting backstops. Eddie Dickman (.469 BA, 4 XBH) was the Knights best hitter during his limited action—32 at bats last season. Eddie, a rare left-handed throwing catcher, will contribute at first base in addition to lengthening the lineup from the three hole during his appearances. Brian LaRochelle (.349 BA, .923 OPS, 6 XBH, 18 R) tied for the team lead in walks, stolen bases, and RBI during his rookie season with the Knights. Brian will contribute at second, third, and shortstop when not behind the plate and will serve as an offensive table-setter. Drew Gallagher (.292 BA. 4 BB) provides the team with a solid middle-of-the order bat and excellent receiver. He’ll also see action at first base. Scott Dickens (9 BB – tied for team lead, 7 RBI) is a patient hitter and run-producer who primarily serves as a designated hitter. A fifth player, Mike Scanlon (.357 OBP, tied for the team lead with 9 RBI), will also contribute behind the plate in ’14. Mike, a teammate of Lucas Palma’s at St. Paul’s in Bristol and Rivier, primarily played the infield last season. He’ll also contribute on the corners.
Earl Oakes (.283 BA, .371 OBP) will man both corner infield positions consistently while contributing serious right-handed power in the middle of the lineup. Switch-hitter Rick Barrett (.333 BA, team leading .500 SLG, 9 RBI – tied for lead, and 8 XBH) is the other big power threat in the middle of the Knights order. Rick will be the squad’s primary shortstop when he is not on the mound. Lucas Palma is also a capable contributor with the glove at bat at first base. Phil Dauria is a good athlete who will man both middle infield spots when not playing the outfield. Rookie Sean Shanley, yet another backstop, will contribute in a utility role while looking to add depth to the Knights batting order as the team navigates a 26 game regular season. Sean Cameron, a returner, looks to contribute as an infielder and on the mound. Sean Ferguson is an excellent defensive shortstop who stabilizes the infield when present. Paul Franceschi, long-time Knights catcher and current New Jersey resident, looks to contribute to the lineup when he is able to make games.
OUTFIELD
Fleet-footed and strong armed Julio Ortiz-Rivera (.424 OBP, tied for team lead with 7 SB, 4 XBH) brings excellent defensive range and good on-base skills to the center field position and the top of the Knights order. He looks to improve his already solid numbers during his second year with the team. Walter Klimczak (.318 BA, 4 SB) is coming off an excellent rookie year. Yet another lefty swinger, Walter brings good speed and defense to the left field position. Phil Dauria is a capable defender at all three outfield spots, and rookie Sam Leonardo—a long-time teammate of Sean Lopata’s–brings outstanding defensive range and good bat-handling and base-running skills to the squad. Lopata also looks to contribute in the outfield in 2014. Rick Blais (.379 OBP) has demonstrated an ability to grind out at-bats for multiple seasons. Yet another athletic rookie, Nate Corriveau, also looks to gain playing time as an outfielder. The Knights await the return of power-hitting left-handed corner outfielder Rex Cone, who has consistently been one of the top hitters and pitchers in the Manchester Twilight League over the past few years. Another returner, Justin Kilker, is an excellent power-hitting threat with good speed. He’ll be a key run-producer during his appearances. Another newcomer, Josh Kyle is looking to contribute in his first year back in baseball in a utility role, while getting back in the swing of things.
LOOKING FORWARD (and back)…
Six of the Knights’ 26 games will be at beautiful Muzzy Field in Bristol. The Bristol outfit will travel “East of the River” to play two home tilts under the lights in South Windsor at Rotary Field. The Knights will also appear five times at Bristol Eastern High School. The Manchester Twilight league should feature excellent competitive balance in 2014. The league still has ten teams, though there are two new franchises for 2014 – the Moodus Nationals and Chicago Sam’s Orioles. The second best team in the Central Division during 2013—the Manchester Mayhem—is no longer in the league; they’ve been replaced by the expansion Orioles. The Eastern Division was the class of the league during playoff-time in 2013, featuring the league champion Glastonbury Pirates and the runners-up, the then expansion Portland Panthers. Central Division squads fared significantly better during the regular season, however, posting a cumulative winning percentage well north of .500…Knights outfielder Julio Ortiz-Rivera won an MTL Gold Glove for his efforts in 2013; catcher/infielder Brian LaRochelle won the league Rookie of the Year…the Knights were 8th in the league in 2013 in runs scored, allowed the third most runs of any team, and had the 7th best run differential of any MTL team.

– Brian LaRochelle