Mitchell Report Sends Shock Waves Through Knights Organization.

WASHINGTON — Congress continued its examination of baseball's steroids era Tuesday, and unlike a similar hearing three years ago, there was praise amid the criticism of Knights Manager Ryan Saul and team owner The Judge.
Each took responsibility for the steroids problem in adult baseball before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Saul and Judge also said they are working to implement recommendations from former senator George Mitchell's report on drugs. Just when you think the Knights organization had hit the bottom...they dig a foxhole and manage to get even deeper. The hearings took a sharp turn towards the Knights when committee chairman Henry Waxman, who asked Saul whether the Knights should have reported their concerns about Kevin Murkeys' trainer, Mike 'Los Animals' Cabrera, and the slugger's alleged steroid use to the commissioner's office. Saul kept his head down for a majority of the questioning, even mumbling incoherently sometimes.

The book that started it all "Jewced: Dark Days & Darker Knights", former Knight Ryan Lang told all the locker room secrets and named names. This is when Sen. Mitchell gained traction for his now infamous Mitchell Report where 11 former and current Knights were mentioned in connection with "TXF".

Lang who many accused at the time of violating the Locker Room Code Of Silence feels vindicated by the findings of the Mitchell Report. He mentioned in a phone interview that "I've spent the last 3 years defending myself. But now it's their turn, I spoke the truth and the truth set me free." He went on to hint at a new book "It's time for The Langer to unleash the rest of his fury in a new book, I don't want to give away too much other than to say, if you thought Jewced was shocking, wait till you read the new book." I asked if he could hint at what he'd be covering, he said only that it would be titled "Pitcher or Catcher. Stingers, Needles, and Balls, Oh My! The Life and HARD Times of an Adult Baseball Supermodel"

Knights Shortstop Pete Halvorsen (left with Cole Van Buren) made an incredible resurgence in his career after spending the off season working out with oft-injured left-fielder Austin Hurwitz in the Winter of 2004. Hurwitz has been named in the probe concerning a large shipment of "The X Factor" a designer substance known in the medical circles as "TXF" or "Blue Steel".

Halvorsen put on 25 pounds (photo w/ football was taken in Spring of '05) of muscle in one off season. He has since systematically denied any and all allegations through his lawyer's at Dewey, Cheatum and Howe LLP. I called and received this statement from Bert Dewey "My client, Mr. Halvorsen has used B12 and Flax Seed Oil provided to him by a licensed physician, and for the record he doesn't even like needles."

So as names begin to leak out and be linked together it is my duty to put the puzzle together and hold all of those responsible for cheating the Knights fans out of the pure and organic game of baseball they thought they had been witnessing.

With the 2008 Knights season in jeopardy, we will find out early next week if the Knights will be able to field a team or if the Steroid Allegations and Suspensions be the death blow of Knights Baseball.

I'm Max Mercy and this has been a Special Edition Article.

168 Hour Game End's With Knights Loss

Fans Littered The Field Last Sunday After The Decision By Jack Provst To Suspend Play

LOS ANGELES, CA - In a move that made Knights fans long for the calm demeanor of the PCBL's James Duprey or the open door policy of the VABL's Carlos Yniguez. LAMSBL Commissioner Jack 'Selig' Provst put a circus tent over the LAMSBL's playoff. The Knights were down by one run, 12-11, going into the top of the ninth inning. The Knights were ready to attempt a last inning comeback versus the Astros as they had done twice this season. Then the comedy ensued, in a game that had already taken 3 hours and 30 minutes, all of the sudden the game was to be suspended for a week. So 168 or so hours later, the Knights got to take their hacks in the top of the 9th. Why you ask, because the field the Knights and Astros were playing on was booked to another league for a game that was to start in an hour, allegedly. (Ed. Note: Neither team showed up for this phantom game.) Originally blame was being cast on the umpires for not enforcing the 3 hour time limit, but later it was found out that the commissioner look no further than himself for the SNAFU.

I'm sure when Steve Siegler created the MSBL 15 years ago, this scenario was exactly what he had in mind.

Back to the game that was attempting to be played on the field, last week the Astros and Knights played a great game, changing leads and battling back and forth. The Astros were able to take the lead for the final time in the bottom of the 8th inning after a lead off bunt, a great baseball move to sacrifice the runner to 2nd base. A ground ball to shortstop that made for a controversial call at 3rd base, going the way of the Astros. This set up the opportunity for Ari Z. to come up with the game winning hit off El Toro Tony Sulser. Sulser threw a slider and Ari jumped on it connecting on a clean basehit to center field plating the go ahead run.



CUT TO: 168 hours later...The Knights take the field against a different 'looking' Astros team than the week before, After a leadoff single by Kevin Murkey the Knights failed to move the tying run into scoring position, Pete Nelson and Josh Steiner struck out. Giving the Knights one last opportunity in the form of Colyn Van Buren. Mysteriously, after having great control all inning the Astros pitcher let one get away and plunked Van Buren in the back with the first pitch. Bringing up Brendan McDonald who anti-climatically popped out to first ending the 168 hour misery and the worst season in Knights history. The Knights fell to a final record of 8-13 after droping their final 9 games.

Empty Chairs And Empty Tables

With many of the Knights contracts up at the end of this season, it's very possible Knights fans will see a very different team next season. You'll have to check back to find out. One thing is for sure according to the Knights Front Office, The grass definitely wasn't greener on the other side of the valley and serious talks will be taking place to see where the Knights take the formerly "Greatest Show In Adult Baseball".



In other news we keep Knights All-Star Jonathan Williams in our thoughts and prayers as he recovers from a severe back injury. Williams who's license plate if you remember is "AQUAMAN" was deep sea diving with his pod of dolphins in Baja and had to fight off a Polar Bear who was attacked, Williams prevailed but sustained a back injury when he wrestled the Bear to ocean floor. All the Dolphins were ok, thanks to JWill.

I'm Max Mercy and this has been a long season.

Knights Laugh Their Way Into Playoffs

MALIBU, CA - The Knights dropped their final game of the regular season falling to 8-12 and really putting an exclamation point on the season. But, a new season starts on the 9th of September. One thing is for sure, the Knights can't do much worse.

So with that the Knights will face the Astros who put a 19-5 thumping on the Knights the last time the two teams faced each other.

A season that has seen more downs than ups will now hang on 9 innings...but what a story it would make.

I'm Max Mercy and I'll see you Sept. 9th Knights v. Astros a fight to the death, one ring to rule them all.

Knights Game Ends In Shame

CARSON, CA - Just when you think you've seen it all Knights fans...just when you think it can't get any stranger. It does. In a game which saw the Knights a man down, playing with 2 outfielders versus the first place Yankees...only down by one run going into the 9th inning. The game then was abruptly brought to a halt when Manager/Player Ryan Saul and 2nd Baseman Vincent Texiera were ejected from the game for "Unsportsman Like Conduct" what usually results in a 10 yard penalty and a loss of downs, resulted in the end of game.

So the Knights 7 were left standing on the field wondering what just happened...The Yankees were conflicted, on one hand they win and clinch first place, on the other hand they lose their 2nd baseman to ejection and an automatic one game suspension.

The Knights game started with the Lightning Bolt Boys playing hard despite being a man down, hanging with the Yankees and ready to play spoiler. Pitchers Rod Boaz and Jonathan Williams were dealing. Striking out 11 Yankees over the abbreviated 8 inning game. What the Knights couldn't get done on offense they took care of on defense. The speedy combo of Erik Barber and Pete Nelson patrolled the Carson outfield covering more ground than 3 outfielders. The underdog Knights were on track to upset the first place Yankees.

Despite being injured Knights starter Rod Boaz went 5 strong innings striking out 7 Yankees before being relieved by Jonathan Williams. Williams struck out 4 over his 3 innings of work, most of his strikeouts came on his split-finger fastball which was extra nasty this Sunday morning.

The only thing nastier was the ensuing fight in between the 8th and 9th innings. As 2nd baseman Ryan Saul began to jog out to his position, a unknown Yankee player shouted at him to "get in the box" referring to his last at bat where Saul took his time preparing for his at bat. This one remark changed the course of the game...and the Knights season. Mt. Saul erupted, making a B-Line for the owner of said comment. The Yankees headed Saul off at the pass and a good old fashioned baseball fight was in effect.

Like most Baseball Fight's there was a lot of screaming, name calling, individuals mentioning numerous times "I'll rip your head off" "No, I'll rip YOUR head off". But what really makes a Baseball Fight, a baseball fight...is that there are never any punches thrown. The only difference in this baseball fight is that is was 1 versus 9 and there was no one to hold back Saul. The Umps had seen enough, ejected Saul and Teixeira, knowing that this gave the Knights 7 players they headed for the hills, the 'Knights Game Ended In Shame™' and the Yankees clinched first place without having to finish the 9th inning.
The Knights historic skid continues losing their 6th straight game. The Knights having streaked into playoffs with a winning record the last 3 years and losing in the first round are trying something different, a losing streak. As it looks right now, with a loss next week versus the Cubs and a Storm win, the Knights will fall to last place and face the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.

I'm Max Mercy and this article took entirely too long to write.
View All The Exciting Photos From The Game Here

KNIGHTS QUEST FOR THE CUP

Knights will try to go for the championship starting in September, the return of El Toro...The return of the Murkules...The return of The Brooks...The Fike...basically everyone who has been missing for the last um, 6 months or so.

Knights Fall To 8-10 After Late Inning Melt Down.

CARSON, CA - Knights waste great outing by Rod Boaz. Boaz struck out 12 hitters for the second straight game over. But the Knights were unable to hold onto a 7-2 lead as a number of dinks and hand grenades kept landing just out of reach of Knights fielders. Boaz frustration showed on the field but when I asked him about these unfortunate events after the game he was frank. "That's baseball." Boaz replied "I could stand on the mound and cry about it, or just make a better pitch next time so they can't make any contact with it." Boaz did plenty of that in his gutsy 120 pitch performance striking out the side in the 5th and 6th innings.

The Knights were in an early hole after a 2 run double by Kirk Mayer in the first inning, a fly ball that Boaz felt should have been caught, but right fielder Ryan Saul lost it in the sun. The Knights "stormed" back scoring 7 unanswered runs, 3 on a bases clearing double by Jonathan Williams and another 2 on a Pete Halvorsen single. Brendan McDonald hit a 430 foot triple to the 510 foot center field fence.

But the Knights were unable to hold onto the 5 run lead. In the bottom of the 7th the Storm dropped some Global Warming on the Knights in the form a 5 run 2 out rally. The Knights playing with only 9 players had no one to warm up the defacto closer Jonathan Williams due to the absence of Steve Fike, Kevin Murkey and/or Tony Sulser. Williams entered the game in the 8th inning and got out of a bases loaded jam. But couldn't get the last out of the 9th inning when the Storm's Matt Kennedy hit the walk off hit scoring the runner from 2nd and ending the game. Tossing a bit more fuel on the burning ship that is the Knights season.

The Knights take on the First Place Evil Empire this weekend. While they have won 2 of the 3 meetings between the two teams, those were different Knights teams that the Yankees saw.

We Don't Need No Water!!!

SHERMAN OAKS ADJ., CA - In this weeks installment of ESPN's hit series "The Knights Are Burning" Ryan Brooks returns to the Knights lineup but is it too little to late to rescue this smoldering season? With their latest loss the Knights fall to .500 (8-8) but still have a firm grip on mediocrity and 4th place. The Knights held a closed door meeting after the latest blowout loss, this time at the hands of the last place Asstros.

I, Max Mercy was sneaky enough to slip a microphone in the locker room to record what this meeting could be about and what they could possibly say after losing 8 of their last 12 games.

The mind is a strange thing, men.

We must begin by asking it..."What is losing?"

Losing is a disease...as contagious as polio.
           
Losing is a disease...as contagious as syphilis.

Losing is a disease...as contagious as bubonic plague...

...attacking one... but infecting all. 

But curable.

Now, I want you to imagine...you are on a ship at sea...

...on a vast sea...gently rocking...
           
Gently rocking...
           
Gently rocking...

While the Knights attempt to play mind games to stop this skid, it may be too late. The ship that they are on could in fact be the Titanic and management may just be rearranging the deck chairs. But no matter what the name, this ship is sinking...gently sinking...gently sinking...gently sinking...

The Knights prepare for the final month of the regular season. The rough waters continue next week versus the Brewers at Cleveland High School 10 am first pitch.

I'm Max Mercy for The Daily Mirror and I'll see you at the Ballpark.

When the cheering stopped, there were... Eight Men Out.

CULVER CITY, CA - When you talk Knights baseball around the water cooler on Monday mornings. The conversation normally revolves around names such as Nellie, Hurwitz, Sulser or Barber. But these days most conversations start with "Can you believe that..." In the lastest installment of "can you believe that..." The Knights shocked even their most loyal fans by finding a way to have only 8 players at a game.

In case you're not up to date on your baseball rule book. Baseball is a sport played between two teams usually of nine players each. It is a bat-and-ballpitcher throws (pitches) a hard, fist-sized, leather-covered ball toward a batterbat, made of wood (as required in professional baseball) or a variety of other materials (as allowed in many nonprofessional games). A team scores runs only when batting, by advancing its players—primarily via hits—counterclockwise past a series of four markers called bases game in which a on the opposing team. The batter attempts to hit the baseball with a tapered cylindrical arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot square, or "diamond."

Well, the Knights played this game with 8 players. Steve Fike started his first game of the season and would have fared well had it not been for the small inconveniences of NOT HAVING THREE OUTFIELDERS. Even still those Knights who did show up played hard and kept fighting to make sure they could give their few fans something to cheer about. Sadly in the end there was not much to cheer about, the Knights dropped their 2nd game straight and fell into 4th place with an 8-7 record.

I'm sure you're asking yourself - well who was missing? Here is that hallowed list of AWOL Knights:

Erik Barber
Rod Boaz
Ryan Brooks
Austin Hurwitz
Ian McDonald
Peter Nelson
Tony Sulser
Mike Vogel

So once again, the Knights attempt to pick up the pieces of a shattered season this Sunday against a team they have 2 dramatic come from behind victories against the SF Astros. Which team will show up on Sunday? The 15 Knights who fight to the death together or the 8 sheep being led to their slaughter...Tune In Same Time...Same Site next week to find out.

This is Max Mercy and I'll see you at the ballpark.

Knights Fall Prey To Evil Empire

LOS ANGELES, CA - Pete Halvorsen speaks. Hide the children, and valuables, too.

"Yeah, it's an embarrassment for me to be wearing this f -- uniform because of the way I'm playing," Halvorsen said Sunday. "Now go away."

With that, he shooed away the quote-getters and flipped a laundry cart downside up, turning the dirty-clothes-on-wheels into a visual metaphor of the current state of affairs for Halvorsen and the Knights.

Of course, if Halvorsen had handled a few ground balls as surely as he did the clubhouse belongings, maybe the Knights wouldn't have lost for the first time against the Yankees this season. The latest, a loss, dropped the Knights into 2nd place for the 3rd time this season, a hole they will now have to dig themselves out of.

"We couldn't have had a worse start than what we had and we know it," manager Ryan Saul said. "To lose like this here at home ... we're better than this. There's no way that should happen. At this point, we keep fighting and, hopefully, you get ticked off and do something about it." Saul who later mentioned he did all he could connecting on a basehit to right and throwing a runner out at 2nd base, for the second time this season as he was quick to remind the press.

"It's been a tough few games for him, there's no getting around it," Saul said of Halvorsen. "I know his arm has been hurting him, but he won't let that be an excuse."

Don't think Halvorsen is sinking this ship alone. It merely looked that way as he booted one ball and threw another one away in the first inning.

Truth is, most everyone is finding ways to botch it when at-bats matter most. The Knights left 11 men on base and never truly looked like they were ready to attack the Yankees like the two previous victories. The Knights beat Singleton back in May but were unable to put together a solid rally.

Even starter Rod Boaz got dragged into the mess, giving up 8 earned runs in 3 innings to undo a personal three-game win streak.

"No one's happy about the way we're playing, including ourselves," first baseman Kevin Murkey said. "I think we've been ticked off for a while. It's not like the schedule's going to get any easier for us."

Leading All-Star vote getter Jonathan Williams sounded more optimistic about life "One thing you learn when you are 1,000 leagues under the sea Max...there's no where to go but up." I asked Williams to elaborate he got a crazed look in his eye and stepped up on his chair "Do you have a dorsal fin? To train ze dolphin you must zink like ze dolphin! You must be getting inside ze dolphin's head. I am saying to Snowflake, "Akay!... Akay Akay Akay?" und he is saying "AKay Akay!" und he is up on ze tail "Eeeeeeeeee!" und you can quote him! "

To quote Homer Simpson "Before, Before...Quit living in the past Marge." The Knights will now look forward and hope to get back on track and stop their win-lose-win-lose-win-lose pattern.

Looking forward the Knights will play the Cubs this Sunday @ 10 AM.

I leave you with this...



I'm Max Mercy and I'll see YOU at the ball park.

Jonathan Williams Leads All-Star Voting, Barber Cuts It Close Behind...

LOS ANGELES, CA - Jonathan Williams the soft-spoken giant has a loud voice when it comes to the all-star voting. The 6'5 switch-hitter has taken a commanding lead receiving over 50% of the votes cast in the first week. Williams (pictured talking to a cute blond in the stands during a game) has been a fan favorite since he started with the Knights back in 2004. Always the first one at the ball park and the last to leave, making sure he signs ever last autograph for Knight fans. I tried to get a hold of Jonathan to get a comment about this great show of his popularity, but was told by his people that he was attempting to "Find Nemo" off the coast of Baja. It turns out Williams is a Knight by Day and a Marine Biologist by Night. As if Williams needed more fans he now will no doubt receive the "Live Earth" vote after word gets out. While the Knights have a few players who like to think they "swim with Sharks" in Hollywood. Jonathan Williams actually DOES, which may be a reason that when it comes to fan appreciation, he's top of the list. While his stats may not reflect his contribution to the team, real Knights fans understand what Williams brings to the team, consistency, a great smile and a love of marine life.

Coming in a distant 2nd with 29% of the votes so far is Erik Barber.

(Photo Courtesy Of The UnOfficial 'Erik Barber Is My Cowboy' Website)

Barber feels as the new guy on the team, the fans just haven't had a chance to get to know him yet. "Give me some time Max, I'll win them over and then you'll be looking at the #1 Vote getter." Erik is known best for his freestyle rapping ability and his amazing fashion sense. His album "drops" later this year and we'll be sure to link to it or at least get a bootleg copy to post on the site.

WHAT ARE THE KNIGHTS UP TO OFF THE FIELD?

Catcher Colyn Van Buren has no comment on the latest rumor that he was seen working out with Kevin Murkey this last week at Crunch on Sunset.

If you'll remember Murkey and Van Buren had their best season last year when they were on a strict eating and workout plan together. They were BFF 4 EVER...maybe they are trying to recapture lightning in a bottle.

When I tried to reach Murkey for a comment he quickly hung up the phone.

Knights Outfielder Mike Vogel is off filming his latest scary movie...the trailer for Cloverfield can be seen here. http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/11808/ Vogel was last seen gasping for air in the Poiseiden Adventure remake..."Poiseidon". Vogel should make his triumphant return to the Knights sometime in late August.

In Rod We Trust

CARSON, CA - With a flare for the dramatic starting pitcher Rod Boaz waited until Saturday evening to call trainer Stan Turner and tell him his Heel felt good enough to give it a shot. Turner thought it was a joke at first, but Boaz told him he was 100% serious. So still with a noticeable limp, Boaz made his way out to the mound to the joy of the hometown Knights fans.

Boaz put his team first and despite his severe injury the 2 weeks before he was able too look like a new version of Boaz of old from the first pitch. Boaz 2.0 as he now wants to be known was focused to get the Knights back on track. Boaz struck out 4 of the first 5 batters he faced, untimately going 6 innings allowing 3 hits and 0 earned runs. Boaz did walk 6 batters, but got himself out of bases loaded jams with big pitches both times. The first bases loaded jam was created by Shortstop Pete Halvorsen on consecutive errors, but Boaz had his shortstops back shutting down the threat getting back to back outs and not allowing a run to score. Halvorsen returned the favor two innings later with 1 out and the bases loaded snagging a ground ball up the middle and turning a 6-3 double play ending another Storm threat.

Click On Murkules Face For His Intro Music

The great performance by Rod Boaz was not to be outdone by Kevin Murkey who no doubt wanted to see his name in print as well. Murkey has been battling injuries of his own from his two-sport days of playing in the now defunct NFL - Europe and spending his off season with the Knights. Those days are behind him, but the injuries remain. Murkey tossed a season high 3 Innings allowing only 2 hits and striking out 5. Game Over indeed.

Murkules did get some help from his good pal and Centerfielder Steve Fike who is making Web Gems look routine these days. With a runner on 2nd and 0 outs, Fike dashed 20 yards onto the right centerfield warning track and snagged a sure run scoring double over his shoulder. This excited rightfielder Austin Hurwitz so much that he made a Howard Dean like scream.

Listen To The Baseball Tonight Guys Discuss Fike's Web Gem and the Greatest Web Gems Of All Time

The Knights offense was focused and determined to score more than the 3 runs they barely managed against the Storm the last time they faced them. Both Austin Hurwitz and Erik Barber continued their hot hitting knocking in 2 runs a piece.
While leadoff hitter Pete Halvorsen took advantage of 3 walks scoring 3 times. Steve Fike felt comfortable at the plate also, going 3-4 on the day solidifying his spot in the number two hole. The McDonald brothers Ian and Brendan manned the right side of the infield and also picked up 1 hit a piece continuing to forge new ground becoming the first Knight siblings to reach base in the same inning.

After losing 18-3 to the Storm back in June the Knights put together a well played game winning 6-1 and staying tied for first with the LA Yankees, who they meet this week at 0830 in Glendale at Stengel Field.

The Knights All-Star Balloting is now open, you can view your Knights and their Stats below and make your vote on the upper left hand portion of this page.

Where do the Knights go from here? Rumor Mill...

Los Angeles, CA - The Knights season took a sharp turn for the worse recently when it was revealed after Sunday's loss that the Knights would be without Tony Sulser till August 25th and Rod Boaz through the rest of the season. In a press conference late Thursday afternoon it was learned that the Knights have been in contact with former Knights and also are looking abroad at the possibility of bringing in a Japanese pitcher from the Yokomura league which the Knights have strong ties too.

But the most recent development has been that of Josh Eveland. Nicknamed the "Unit" for his height and likeness to Randy Johnson, Eveland has come close to playing for the Knights in the past but when the front office and his agent couldn't come to an agreement he went elsewhere. The 6'7 hurler has been contacted and it would seem the Knights would have to meet his price as it's no secret they are in dire straights.

More on this as it develops...

UPDATE: The SC Knights news organization has learned that within the last hour Eveland's agent Scott Borass has been contacted and an offer has been made.

Borass' office has no comment.

Knights Bad 5th Inning Turns Into 5th Loss.

CARSON CITY, CA - The shocking loss of the Knights two starting pitchers Tony Sulser and Rod Boaz rocked the Knights clubhouse minutes before game time on Sunday. Sulser, the career leader in wins and strikeouts for the Knights has shocked his fans by deciding to become a Crab Fisherman and will be featured on next seasons Deadliest Catch, if in fact he survives the 2 months in the Behring Sea. Rod Boaz the Knights leading hitter and other starting pitcher aggravated his Achilles Heel and it on the 60 Day DL. We wish him all the best in his recovery.

Sulser pitching in his final game as a Knight for awhile threw a gutsy performance allowing 1 run and 3 hits in the first 4 innings. The Knights took advantage of 2 walks and 5 straight singles in the 3rd knocking the Brewers lefty out of the game. Rightfielder Kevin Murkey drove in 3 runs going 2-3 on the day. But on this dark Sunday in July, the Knights would not be able to hold a 7 run lead. The Brew Crew fought their way back in the 5th inning scoring 7 runs of in their own right taking the lead and never looking back. The Brewers took advantage of a bases loaded routine fly ball to right field by Joe Howard that outfielder Ryan Saul lost in the sun, 2 runs scored and the Brewers offense attack began.

The Knights offense sputtered from the 3rd inning on never getting a runner past 2nd base and going out with a whimper. But as the game came to a close the Knights had to look to the 2nd half of the season and the fact that they were without their 2 starting pitchers, the duo that has
pitched 73 of their 94 innings this year.

The front office of the Knights will be working feverishly into the "Knight" this week attempting to wheel and deal for some pitching. They will be working the waiver wire as well as seeing what players are On The Block looking to find a new team. If you or someone you know has what it takes to be a "Knight" they are looking for a Few Good Men. Contact me, Max Mercy and I'll be sure to pass along your info to the Front Office.

Farewell, El Toro - The Knights fans wish you all the best in your new career as a Crab Fisherman.

Adios Amigo.

The Knights are back at it next week versus the Storm who handed the Knights an embarrassing 18-3 loss last month which started this most recent tailspin. The Knights have played .500 baseball since May 6th.

Knights Do It Again!

GLENDALE, CA - Knights come from behind in final at bat for second time over the Astros. With the 8-7 victory the Knights bettered their record to 7-4 and fell into another tie with the Culver City Cubs (who they lost to last week).

The Knights were without the managing expertise of Ryan Saul for the third time this season, but surprisingly they are 3-0 without the Red Hot Saulsa at the helm. They were also without the services of Colyn Van Buren, Austin Hurwitz, Ryan Brooks, Kevin Murkey, Erik Barber and Mike Vogel. So if your math is above a 3rd grade level 16 minus 7 still equals nine. Which were exactly how many players the Knights had to battle the Astros.

In baseball, nine are all you need especially when one of them is the Cuban Bull. Sulser got off to a rocky start giving up 5 runs in the first 3 innings on three home runs, but then he buckled down and knew he had to go deep into this game to give the Knights a chance to comeback. So that's what he did. Sulser tossed 6 more innings only giving up 1 more run and 2 more hits.

A Dog Showed Up From Out Of No Where...And Then The Rally Began. Then just like that *poof* he was gone. A true mystery.

Offensively, Sulser also got the ball rolling with his first hit of the season being a laser over the left field fence giving the Knights a run and shifting the momentum. Following suit the McDonald Brothers, Ian and Brendan, we 3-4 and 2-3 respectively, setting the table and even clearing it sometimes to spur on the Knights comeback. With the Knights tied 5-5 going into the top of the 6th inning the Knights shortstop Pete Halvorsen lead off with a double to left center, followed by an infield single from Rod Boaz moving Halvorsen, the tying run to third. Steve Fike then came up versus the lefty specialist and put together a great at bat fouling off 4 straight pitches, finally getting the one he could do something with and sending a fly ball deep enough to center to score Halvorsen and take the lead.

Seeing double? The McDonald Brothers go a combined 5-7 on the day.

This woke the Astros from their slumber and they came right back and tied the game in the 7th and took the lead in the 8th. Putting the Knights on their final at bat, down by one run, versus the Astros...Deja Vu anyone? If not, feel free to read about it here. But back to the present day, Josh Steiner reached on a throwing error to lead off the inning, followed by a Rod Boaz single which turned into a critical two base error when it went under the centerfielder's glove and allowed Steiner to reach third and Boaz second base. Boaz was then lifted as a non-runner for the last out which was the speedy Pete Halvorsen who represented the winning run. Steve Fike had an opportunity to be a hero for the second time this game after an amazing catch in centerfield robbing the Astros of more runs in the top of the inning. Fike worked the count full then took a ball in the dirt, loading the bases. Up stepped the struggling Pete Nelson, Nelson has been showing signs of coming out of his slump. All they needed was a fly ball from him to tie the game, with the infield in, Nelson wasted no time winning the game, hitting a flare over the SS into left field easily scoring Steiner with Halvorsen right on his heels sliding in with hands raised scoring the winnings run.

View All The Photos From The Game Here.

The Knights are back at it next week July 1, 2007 in Carson versus the Westside Brew Crew.

Fike Takes Care Of Pitching, Barber Takes Of Hitting, Knights Take Care Of Yankees

SYLMAR, CA - If there was a must win this early in the season it was Sunday versus the Yankees. Coming off an embarrassing 18-3 loss to the last place Storm the Knights were tied for first place with the Cubs (5-3) and in need of a win versus the 2006 league Champion Yankees. But the Knights were also back to their lean and mean selves with a who's who list of missing players (Brooks, Vogel, Van Buren, Steiner and Sulser). The Lightning Bolt kids not only had their inner demons to battle but they also had to face former Major League pitcher Matt Whisenant. It was the 6'3 lefties first time facing the Knights.

The Knights got off to a good start taking advantage of a Pete Halvorsen lead off single and Steve Fike being hit by a pitch. But Whisenant buckled down and struck out the next two hitters Rod Boaz and Kevin Murkey. The Knights looked like they would squander another great opportunity much like last game, but Erik Barber had other plans. Barber smoked the second pitch he saw into right centerfield scoring Halvorsen easily and allowing Fike to go to third. Fike then scored on a Pete Nelson chip shot over first base giving the Knights a 2-0 lead.

Rod Boaz fresh off being snubbed the MLB Draft, he had something to prove. Boaz tossed 5 shutout innings striking out 7 and getting out of 2 bases loaded jams. Boaz on a strict pitch count was removed after his 100th pitch in the 5th inning. Manager Ryan Saul then handed the ball to seldom used pitcher Steve Fike. Fike acted like it was just another day for him out of the bullpen. The left handed Fike tossed 3 strong innings allowing 0 earned runs and keeping the Yankees powerful lefties off-balance. Fike said after the game "I felt great out there, my mechanics were sound and I could have gone a few more innings. I am just happy to help out wherever Coach needs me."

The Knights offense continued to thrive behind the bat of Erik Barber who went 4-5 on the day and continued to come through with runners in scoring position. Also with a strong day at the plate third baseman Brendan McDonald. McDonald has ramped up his game since his brother Ian joined the squad. In over 25 years of playing baseball, this is the first time the McDonald brothers have played on the same team. Another milestone was reached Sunday when Ryan Saul connected on an RBI fielders choice, his first of the season, with runners at 1st and 3rd giving the Knights their 9th run of the afternoon. Halvorsen followed up with a single scoring Ian McDonald and capping the Knights scoring at 10 runs.

Knights closer Kevin Murkey came in to shut the door on the Yankees and had a 5 run cushion. The Yankees first two batters reached on a single and a HBP and later scored, but this gave Murkey the extra stress he needs to dig deep and concentrate. Murkey then retired the Yankees 3 and 4 hitters ending the game and giving the Knights a 10-7 victory. Keeping them tied with the Cubs at the top of the division with a 6-3 record.

The Knights will face off against the Cubs next week for the battle for sole possession of first place. However they will be without Ryan Brooks, Pete Halvorsen and Mike Vogel. But as we've seen this Knights team loves to play the underdog and they love to play with uneven numbers, much like a certain movie.