When the Prince George IDL Midget Knights step up to the plate as provincial double-A baseball championship hosts this week, the veteran squad will try to exorcise demons from the past two years.
Knights coach Tim Knoop said with a dozen players back from the 2011 silver-medal winning team the Knights should head into the Wood Wheaton/PG Motors Midget Boys Championship, running tomorrow through Sunday, as the favourites. But, the Knights were favoured to win last year when they fell apart in the final, falling 10-2 to the
Vancouver Mounties.
Knoop said his goal is to make sure his players maintain an even kneel.
"Not letting the heads get too fat," was Knoop's biggest concern. "Last year, we had a solid team as well and made it all the way to the finals. We just ended up winning a little too much, too early and lost it in the final game."
When the Knights hosted the championship in 2010, they lost 9-5 in the semifinal to Richmond. The Ridge Meadow Royals beat Richmond in the final.
Knoop said the past experience, both the good and the bittersweet, is what he's counting on to push the Knights to the title this week.
"They're starting to understand what they need to do to win," said Knoop, who moved into the head coaching position this season after two years as an assistant.
In the regular season the Knights play in the Shooters Prince George Senior Baseball League where they posted a .500 record last year. This year the Knights are 8-7 and in third place in the five-team league at the end of June.
One of the Knights greatest strengths may be their pitching.
"We have a very strong team where everybody could technically pitch," said Knoop.
The coach relies on veterans Brandon Graham and Jared Young to win the big games for the Knights. Graham had a 3.50 earned run average after 24 innings in the senior men's league, allowing 28 hits, 18 runs - 12 earned - and tallying 27 strikeouts. Young returned to action in late June after missing three weeks with torn ligaments in his right thumb.
Unfortunately for the injury-plagued Young soon after his thumb healed he suffered an arm injury that has kept him off the mound, though he's still able to contribute with his bat. For Knoop, having Young in the lineup, in any capacity, makes the team better.
"He's an integral part of the team," said Knoop. "He's sort of the anchor. He can bring everything to the table, whether it's pitching or hitting and just being a natural leader."
The Knights pitching staff is rounded out with Jarrett Potskin, Reg Barry and Jesse Knoop. By the end of June, Barry had posted a 1-2 record in senior men's play, picking up one save in 13 innings of work. The club's three 15-year-old rookies - Cole Waldie, Nick Potskin and Brennen Bredo - can all hurl the ball when called upon.
When it comes to offence the Knights rely on the bats of Jody Hannon, Tre Potskin and Jesse Knoop. Potskin had belted a pair of homeruns off senior men's pitchers this season, while Knoop had a .379 batting average with 11 hits and six RBI. Hannon had a .357 average with 15 hits including a double and a homer, with 11 RBI.
The Knights have produced admirable results in the last two seasons on the diamond in the men's league and in the various tournaments they've entered but a BC championship has eluded them.
"Once everybody does what they need to do we will start to really do well and put it all together for the provincials, which is our ultimate goal," said Knoop. "After that, hopefully, we'll have a shot at Westerns."
The Western Canadian Double-A Midget Championship is in Morden, Man., Aug. 16-20.
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