Knights Struggle To Score Runs & Make Routine Plays, Other Than That They Look Great!

GLENDALE, CA - The Knights Baseball club has been known to go through it's up's and downs during a season. These are usually brought on by a lack of focus and losing the "power of intention" that they have relied on to reach the height of Adult Baseball stardom they have reached.

This lack of focus can manifest itself in a number of destructive ways, the most terrifying of all is the dreaded mental error.

Traditionally, the number of errors was a statistic used to quantify the skill of a fielder. However, fans and analysts have questioned the usefulness and significance of such a practice. The error has some flaws as a metric for fielding skill. Notably, mental misjudgments, such as failure to cover a base, are not considered errors, but can still be just as costly.

Despite a gutsy performance by Tony Sulser (2-1) on the dirt hump for the Knights, El Toro hit the 120 pitch mark in the 6th inning and was forced to give way to Lefty Steve Fike. Sulser was given his first loss of the season even though he only surrendered 3 earned runs in his 6 innings of work. Fike continued the solid pitching but was let down by a smattering of bad bounces and Knight SNAFU's. To the Astros credit they continued making contact and forcing the Knights to make the plays. Constantly staying out of the double play with hit & runs and straight steals.

The Knights offense starting out healthy scoring 3 runs and taking a 3-1 lead. But soon after found themselves hitting and running themselves out of possible big innings. The Knights hit into a season high 4 double plays. After only losing by 6 runs when all was said and done, any of those innings could have been the big one that turned it around. But alas, they are left to wonder what could have been. And they will have to wonder for 2 weeks as there next game isn't until May 20th.

To check out all the Photos From Sunday's Game Click Here.

Knights Roll To 2-0

GLENDALE, CA - The Knights knew they had to bring their A Game versus a very talented Westside Brewers baseball team. The Brew Crew was well known for it's high powered offense and putting teams away with the long ball. The Cuban Bull was ready to deal with both. And deal he did. Sulser struck out 6 Brewers and allowed 1 earned run while only walking 1 hitter in his 5 innings of work. He looked like the 'El Toro' of old, the spurred on "Sulsermania" that stole the Cuban-American communities hearts back in 2004.




But as the old saying goes a pitcher is only as good as his defense. On this day the Knights defense was solid as oak. This as always keeps El Toro happy which produces good results for the Knights Organization. Knowing that the defense/pitching was taken care of Coach Ryan Saul had to get the Knights offensive juggernaut working. Kevin Murkey fresh off a 0-3 day was 'chompin' at the bit' to prove himself as an anchor in the middle of the lineup. The self-proclaimed 'Irish God' MURKULES struck the baseball with all the might and power of a deity (small d for all you theologians). Murkey was 3-3 on the day and was pitched around his last at-bat. Also getting into the act was the 'FNG' Erik Barber who picked up his first hit and RBI as a Knight spurring on the rally in the 3rd inning that put the Knights 5 runs up and out of reach.
Knights fans who have been following the rise to fame of Rod Boaz know the hardships he's endured to get to where he is. Boaz is enjoying every moment of his new found stardom, while continuing to produce. Boaz hit a 2 run homer and a 2 run triple going 3-4, with 4 RBI's on the day. Boaz the multifaceted player also tossed 2 strong innings for the Knights, allowing 0 earned runs and striking out 2.

Coach Saul turned to lefty Steve Fike to close the game out. Fike who only had one inning pitched last season, doubled that in this outing. Fike went 2 innings allowing 0 runs and striking out two. Game Over'kules was in the bullpen warming up just in case, but this save went to Fike.

Knights K-Notes and K-Quotes
Pete Halvorsen was hit by a pitch twice bringing his season total to 3 in 2 games. At this pace Halvorsen will be hit 30 times and beat Greg Williams record of 16 in a season. Halvorsen who boasts an amazing .714 OBP through the first 2 games has also scored 4 runs, but at a price...a black/blue price. (Photo from Earlier Season)

The Knights pitching staff boasts a 1.69 ERA tops in the league. At 2-0 the Knights are Tied with the LA Yankees at the top of the National Division.

Coach Ryan Saul "It was just great to get back out there, and watch some gold old fashioned Knights baseball. I haven't seen a Knights squad this strong since Hobbs cost us about 10 million to replace all the light standards at the old stadium."

The Knights will have the next week off for Easter Break, but will be back on the field 4/15 versus the South Bay Storm.

In the meantime if you ever wondered how Roy Hobbs would have fared in today's game. check out Roy Hobbs Scouting Report.

Thanks for reading this has been another great Max Mercy Masterpiece, Have a Great Easter.

Knights Bid Adieu To Former League...

Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!-- Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell, His help to crave and my dear hap to tell.

After much thought and negotiations, the Knights have agreed in principle to move "the greatest show on earth" (® SC Knights 2007 Slogan) to the LAMSBL. After joining the VABL back in 2003, the Knights front office has come to the conclusion that it is time to move on and seek "greener" pastures.

The Knights will be leaving many great rivals in the VABL and frankly we'll miss the great showdowns between the Panthers, Angels and of course who can forget the Flor De Cane Bombers. I'm sure it will be hard for these teams to get up on Sunday mornings with the knowledge that the SC Knights (and their amazing fan base) will not be there. But I'm sure they will make due and who knows maybe down the road, some hot, dry, late night in October these great Titans of the diamond will meet again.

Having made this decision the Knights front office immedietly went to work making a deal to partner up with Victory Athletic to control and sell all of their team merchandise.


Moving forward the Knights are excited about the new stadiums (Cal State Northridge, Cal State LA, LA Valley, Pierce College, to name a few) they will be playing in as well as the new talent they will be competing against. When I had a chance to catch up with newly resigned Manager Ryan Saul he expressed his excitement with moving to a new league saying "It's a chance for a fresh start, we felt like we'd been there and done that with the VABL, it was time to move on. We enjoyed our time spent in that league and wish all the best in the future." And on the new league? "We're excited, I talked to some of the boys today and they are chompin' at the bit to get out there and show the new teams what Knights baseball is all about".

Halvorsen saying Murkey who?
I also was able to speak with Knights franchise player Pete Halvorsen, I caught up with Halvorsen in between his now famous offseason workouts. Halvorsen is known for his exceptional work habits, is doing training at AIM Sports Medicine in Manhattan Beach and he calls it the "most intensive thing I've ever done." He's also getting extensive deep-tissue massage therapy daily, and the program includes regular blood work so that his meals -- which are delivered to him daily -- can be tailored for his caloric and nutritional needs. Sadly all Halvorsen wanted to talk about was working out, nutrition and himself.



Vogel (Left) Discussing The Finer Things in Life

The Knights are in late night negotiations with Mike Vogel's representation to possibly bring the wayward son home. Which will also return his strong female fan base to the bleachers. Vogel led the Knights in hitting for three quarters of the season before an injury took him out.

Another strong possiblity is the signing of former Tiger Hugh Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum's agent Scottie Borass is playing hardball and wants a long term contract for his star client. Manager Ryan Saul has been quick to point out, Saul closes deals for a living and he ALWAYS get's what he wants.I'm Max Mercy and this has been your Weekly Blog as always any questions or requests you can reach me max@scknights.com or go to http://www.scknights.com

Winter Meetings, Rumors, Waiver Wire

Let's get right down to the meat of the offseason. In the past the Knights have sat back and watched while other teams reshuffle their lineups, coaching staffs and even fans. Well this year the Knights decided to be proactive.

Their first task was to figure out which of the many leagues in the greater Los Angeles area they would be playing in during the 2007 season. Being the "Greatest show on earth" according to T.J. Simmers of the LA Times, they of course are being courted by the big three. VABL, LAMSBL and the PCBL. All of these leagues understand what a team like the Knights can do for their leagues fan base and the overall enjoyment of all teams who get the opportunity to play the Knights.

Which League Should The SC Knights Play In?
	VABL
	LAMSBL
	PCBL
	MLB
pollcode.com free polls

RUMORS

In November, rumors started to circulate about the possible firing of Coach Ryan Saul. Saul who has been the Knights head coach for 2 1/2 seasons has lead the Knights to 3 playoffs, but they have come up short of the title in each of those years. Everyone remembers B.S. (Before Saul) when the Knights went through Coaches like it was going out of style, first it was Jamie Case then Austin Hurwitz, Sean Walsh, David Stevenson and finally Saul by default after Stevenson handed over the reigns half way through the season. There have been Jamie Case sightings around the main offices in the past 2 months, which just enflamed the already HOT rumors.

TRANSACTIONS
The Knights know that a Rolling Rock doesn't gather moss, so on the player personel front they must keep moving. Ebbing and flowing to the needs of the team.

So far here are the Latest Transactions:

Colyn Van Buren C - Free Agent, Resigned with Knights to a 1 year deal.
Paul Gamm RP, RF - Free Agent, Signed with San Diego Cornholes, 5 years.
Ryan Brooks 1B, 3B - Arbitration Eligable - Resigned With SC Knights 2 years.
Mike Vogel IF, OF - Free Agent - Agreed in principle to SC Knights (contract in progress)

In The Mill:

Contract Extension for Tony Sulser, he becomes a free agent after this season and the Knights would like to lock him down to a long term deal. 2/1 odds

Hugh Quattlebaum, the Amhearst standout and former Minor League player of the year, the Knights are in preliminary talks with his agent about making the move. 5/1 odds

Joe Koller, a local hero in "pick up" baseball, best known for the time he took Vida Blue deep in a pick up game in San Francisco. 10/1 odds

Scott "Frenchie" Boudreaux, very low probability of this happening, but we always like to mention his name somewhere in the article. Last time we heard, Frenchie had moved back to France and was starting his own vineyard. 100/1 odds

David Stevenson returning to the Lightning Bolt boys. 1000/1 odds.

So now you know the word on the street. Be sure to check back here weekly for articles pretaining to the Knights...and baseball.

I'm Max Mercy and you just read literary GOLD. As you can tell, this is a new format for the Knights Media Dept. the original site will stay intact, this format is easier on Max in his old age. Also, you now have the option of commenting on the blog, the Knights, Max, or whatever you want. And yes you can be anonymous, so go ahead and tell me everything you've always wanted to but felt like you couldn't because it would have your email address.

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