Knights to Host Inaugural HBCU Night Presented by Truist on Friday, September 2nd 

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(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – The Charlotte Knights are pleased to partner with Johnson C. Smith University to host HBCU Night presented by Truist on September 2 at Truist Field. The inaugural event will take place as the Knights host the Durham Bulls in a doubleheader with first pitch of game one set for 5:35 p.m. from Uptown Charlotte.

Gates for the doubleheader will open at 5:00 p.m. and the first 2,000 fans will receive a special HBCU T-Shirt. The night will feature special pre-game performances by the Golden Bullettes as fans enter the ballpark. In addition, there will be a pre-game, on-field performance by Blue Satin from JCSU. The ceremonial first pitch of the night will be thrown by Dr. Jemayne King, a JCSU professor. Dr. King was a contributing author to “The New York Mets and Popular Culture” book, which is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Throughout the night, fans can expect performances by Divine 9 from JCSU, as well as a special appearance from Smitty, JCSU’s beloved mascot. After the game, the JCSU Drumline will perform for fans on the field. Following the performance, the Knights will light up the Uptown Charlotte skyline with post-game fireworks presented by Truist and WBT Radio.

For more information about this inaugural event, as well as information on purchasing tickets to Friday’s twin bill, please visit www.CharlotteKnights.com. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 704-274-8300 or at the Truist Field ticket office, located at 324 S. Mint Street.

Great Clips and Charlotte Knights Raise Over $30K to Support Children with Pediatric Brain Tumors

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Over $30,000 has been raised this year. (Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights)

CHARLOTTE, NC — Every day, 13 children are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest form of childhood cancer. Great Clips and the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, partnered for the eighth year in a row to help change that with a donation of $33,353 to Vs. Cancer. The contribution was the most of any year since the partnership started in 2015 and makes the total contribution of the partnership over $76,000.

As a signature fundraising campaign of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Vs. Cancer gives sports teams, athletes and communities the platform to help children with cancer. Proceeds help fund child life programs in Levine Children’s Hospital and lifesaving pediatric brain tumor research.

“Brain tumors are the most common form of cancer in children up to age 14, so our mission is to cure all pediatric brain tumors and transform how children and their families are cared for,” said Dave Mays, senior campaign manager for Vs. Cancer. “Community support in donations like this one is incredibly important in the fight for healthier, happier futures for children with cancer. We’re grateful to Great Clips, the Charlotte Knights and the Charlotte community overall for their continued support.”

For the past several weeks, customers visiting their Charlotte-area Great Clips salons could donate to the effort and local Great Clips franchisees contributed. In addition, several members of the Charlotte Knights staff led supporting fundraisers and shaved their heads to encourage donations.

“This campaign makes it clear how contributions of any size can add up, said Jim Bullard, a Great Clips franchisee. “We’re honored that, through the generosity of Great Clips customers and franchisees, we’re able to continue to support Vs. Cancer and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in their efforts.”

A check presentation to Vs. Cancer was held at the June 17 Knights game.

“We are very pleased to continue this important partnership with Great Clips and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,” stated Dan Rajkowski, chief operating officer for the Charlotte Knights. “It’s always very fulfilling to see our staff and our fans come together to help raise money for such an important cause.”

Great Clips is the official hair salon of the Charlotte Knights. For more information about North Carolina Great Clips salons, visit www.greatclips.com.

About Great Clips, Inc.
Great Clips, Inc. was established in 1982 in Minneapolis. Today, Great Clips has over 4,400 salons throughout the United States and Canada, making it the world’s largest salon brand. Great Clips is 100 percent franchised, and salons are owned locally by more than 700 franchisees across the U.S. and Canada. Great Clips franchisees employ more than 25,000 stylists. Great Clips® franchised salons provide value-priced, high-quality haircare for men, women and children. Getting a great haircut at a Great Clips® salon is more convenient than ever with Online Check-In, ReadyNext**®* *text alerts* and *Clip Notes**®. To check in online, visit GreatClips.com or download the free app. For more information about Great Clips, Inc. or to find a location near you, visit GreatClips.com.

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
Every day, 13 children and teens are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest and most common form of cancer in kids under 15. Every day after, they are in a fight for their life. It’s a fight the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is here to help families win. A leader in the brain tumor and childhood cancer communities, PBTF’s mission of Care. Cure. Thrive. reflects its commitment to curing all pediatric brain tumors and transforming how children and their families are cared for. In 2016 the Vs. Cancer Foundation merged with the PBTF and now is a signature fundraising campaign of the nonprofit. Since 1991, PBTF has provided strategic leadership and funding to accelerate the number of targeted therapies for children battling brain tumors today, while equipping families with the patient family education, financial relief, and emotional support they need to navigate their child’s journey. A world without childhood brain tumors is possible when we stand together to effect real, meaningful change. Learn more at www.curethekids.org.

About the Charlotte Knights Charities
Charlotte Knights Charities, Inc. is the philanthropic base of the Charlotte Knights that actively supports and strengthens community programs through baseball that will enhance and grow the quality of life in the Charlotte area. CKC is organized to provide financial assistance to charitable organizations with the goal of advancing education, care, and to promote recreational activities to disadvantaged and underprivileged adults and children. The Charlotte Knights and CKC want to inspire, grow, and embrace the Charlotte community to create and leave a lasting legacy.

Negro Leagues Night a Tradition at Truist Field

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Eddie G.G. Burton, pictured middle, helped launch the team’s Negro Leagues Night in 2014. (Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights)

Since April 15, 2004, Major League Baseball has celebrated Jackie Robinson Day. Every year on that day, players from all around the majors — and countless other teams from around Minor League Baseball — honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson by wearing #42 on their jerseys. Even more so, they stand for what Jackie Robinson stood for when he broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947 — equality.

Now, as the 75th anniversary of Jackie’s debut is on the horizon, baseball is set to celebrate his achievements and the Knights are planning a big Negro Leagues Night this year at Truist Field.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS TRIBUTE TO THE NEGRO LEAGUES
In Charlotte, the Knights have honored the legacy of Jackie Robinson as well as the history of the Negro Leagues. Since 2014, the Knights have held a special Tribute to the Negro Leagues at the ballpark. At these games each season, all players on the Knights take the field in wear #42 on their jerseys and former players from the Negro Leagues come out to the ballpark to share their stories. In addition, a traveling museum is set up on the concourse by Ray Banks, a Negro Leagues historian. Local Negro Leagues historian, Michael Turner Webb, is also a part of the night to share the history of the Negro Leagues. It is truly a special game each year.

1ST NEGRO LEAGUES NIGHT IN 2014
The first Jackie Robinson Day celebration at Truist Field (then BB&T Ballpark) took place on April 15, 2014. As the Knights moved into their new Uptown Charlotte home just four days earlier, the ballpark was ready for new traditions. Thanks to the vision of Eddie G.G. Burton, a former player in the Negro Leagues and a Charlotte resident, the Knights began their yearly Tribute to the Negro Leagues tradition. With help from Eddie, the event grew each year. More celebrations, more players, and more important messages made it so special. I’m proud to say that it was because of Eddie’s tireless efforts that the event became one of the finest celebrations in all of Minor League Baseball.

Many legendary Negro Leagues players have been honored at the ballpark each year.
Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights

A YEARLY TRADITION
Although the Knights have not always been home for a game on April 15, the team still always finds a date to honor Jackie and the Negro Leagues. The 2015 celebration took place on May 17 and it was the first time the team welcomed a total of four former players from the Negro Leagues. The 2015 celebration was also the first in which the Knights welcomed a traveling museum.

The Knights celebrated their 3rd Annual Negro Leagues Night on Jackie Robinson Day, April 15, 2016 and their 4th Annual Negro Leagues Night on April 18, 2017. Each of these celebrations featured former players such as Carl Forney, a star pitcher from Belmont, who played in the Negro Leagues with teams such as the Charlotte Black Hornets and Indianapolis Clowns. Other former players such as Luther “Luke” Atkinson, Sam Allen, and Bill Cathcart made it a yearly tradition to visit the Knights for these special tribute nights.

Sadly, Forney passed away on December 16, 2017 and the 5th Annual Negro Leagues Tribute Night, which took place on April 17, 2018, honored his memory. Carl’s grandson, Jordan, threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch. In addition, the Knights received a tremendous honor when Jackie Robinson’s daughter, Sharon Robinson, made a special appearance at the ballpark. The Knights presented Sharon with a #42 Knights jersey during an on-field ceremony.

TRIBUTE TO EDDIE G.G. BURTON
Sadly, the 5th Annual Negro Leagues Night was the final one for its founder, Eddie G.G. Burton. On Monday, October 22, 2018, Burton passed away at the age of 88. There since the beginning in 2014, the tribute nights could not have taken place each year without the work of Eddie. On Saturday, November 10, 2018, the Knights held a memorial service at the ballpark for Eddie.

In 2019, with the memory of Eddie GG. Burton on all of our minds, the Knights held their 6th Annual Negro Leagues Tribute Night on April 9. On hand for this special tribute to the Negro Leagues and the memory of Eddie, were his wife, Gaile, and son, Keith. In an emotional ceremonial first pitch, Keith looked up to the heavens and threw out the pitch.

KEEPING THE HISTORY OF JACKIE AND THE NEGRO LEAGUES ALIVE
The Knights were scheduled to host their 7th Annual Negro Leagues Tribute during the 2020 season. With the 100th Anniversary of the Negro Leagues that year, the celebration was one many looked for to attending. The team had many big plans for the game. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was first postponed and then ultimately cancelled. In 2021, with restrictions and many protocols still in place, the night was not held for a second consecutive year. That all changes this year as the Charlotte Knights 7th Annual Negro Leagues Night is set for Friday, April 15 on the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier.

Much like in past seasons, the Knights will continue to honor the memory of Jackie Robinson, Eddie G.G. Burton and all of the players who have paved the way.

APRIL 15 at TRUIST FIELD
Friday’s game will feature three former Negro Leagues players on-hand to meet fans and sign autographs. The three former players are Sam Allen, Wali Cathcart (Rock Hill, SC native) and Larry LeGrande. In addition, Johnson C. Smith University will have a table on the concourse to showcase the history of the school’s baseball program. Ray Banks, a Negro Leagues ambassador, will bring his customized historical museum from Baltimore for all fans to enjoy at the game. It features photographs, baseball gear and other artifacts. Michael Turner Webb, a local Negro Leagues historian, will also be on hand to share his knowledge with fans.

The evening will also serve as a tribute to former Negro Leagues player, Eddie G.G. Burton. Sadly, Burton passed away in 2018. He was a big part of putting this annual event together since 2014. His family will be honored during the pre-game festivities. In addition, former Major League Baseball pitcher and founder of the Carolinas Metro Reds, Morris Madden, will perform the National Anthem. The Knights players will wear #42 jerseys when they face the Memphis Redbirds at 7:04 p.m. at Truist Field.

We Honor the Negro Leagues on Jackie Robinson Day

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This year, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson debuting for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking baseball’s color barrier. In honor of Robinson and many other players who pursued playing professional baseball despite the obstacles that were placed in their path, the Charlotte Knights would like to remember a few players from the Carolinas who were part of making the Negro Baseball Leagues a major league sport, even if it wasn’t properly recognized in their time.

The Taylor family out of South Carolina played a big role in the legacy of the Negro Leagues. The oldest of four Taylor brothers, C.I. Taylor, was born in 1875 in Anderson, SC. In 1904, C.I. founded the first all-black professional team in Birmingham, AL. As manager of the Birmingham Giants from 1904-1909, the eldest Taylor recruited his younger brothers Steel Arm Johnny, Candy Jim, and Ben to play for him. The youngest brother, Ben Taylor, finished his career in the Negro Leagues batting over .300 across 21 seasons. In 2006 Ben was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Another member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Buck Leonard, played from 1935 to 1948 for the Homestead Grays of the Negro National League. Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, NC in 1907. He was compared to Lou Gehrig early in his career. The comparison was not just for his smooth hits and bat swing that resembled Gehrig’s (which was intentional as the teenaged Leonard would take a train up to Washington, DC to watch his favorite player Gehrig and the Yankees play the Senators) but it was more so for his kind and gentle demeanor, which Gehrig was known to have. In 1972, Leonard was inducted into the Hall of Fame after a Negro Leagues career hitting over .340 and a 1.042 OPS.

Dave Barnhill pitched in the professional and semi-pro Negro Leagues and foreign baseball leagues from the mid-1930s up until 1948. Standing only 5’6” tall, one might not be ready for the heater (fastball) coming to the plate from the mound. Not only were batters scared of his fastball, but even Barnhill was quoted as saying he was worried he might hurt a batter. When asked about Barnhill, Cool Papa Bell said, “he threw smoke.” Barnhill was born in Greenville, NC. In 1943 the Pittsburgh Pirates asked Barnhill to tryout for the Major League team. Unfortunately, the Pirates owner canceled the tryout. This was 3 years prior to Jackie Robinson signing with the Dodgers. In 1948, the New York Giants offered Barnhill a Major League contract. In 1950, at age 36, Barnhill and the Minneapolis Millers (minor league team for the Giants) won the American Association Championship. He went 11-3 with a 3.60 ERA that season. Barnhill retired before ever getting a promotion to the New York Giants.

As most remember Jackie Robinson being the first player to break the color barrier in the Major Leagues, some may forget the first player to break the color barrier in the American League was South Carolina native Larry Doby. On July 5, 1947, Doby debuted for the Cleveland Indians becoming Major League’s second black player. Doby was born in Camden, SC before his family moved to New Jersey. While in high school at age 18, Doby began playing professional baseball for the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League. While serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Doby met Mickey Vernon, a star with the Washington Senators who was also serving in the Navy. Vernon is credited with encouraging Doby not to give up on baseball. In 1947, Bill Veeck and his Indians signed Doby to a Major League contract. In his last at-bat in the Negro Leagues, Doby hit a home run for Newark before leaving for Cleveland. After a 13-year career in Major League Baseball, Doby was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. Doby has won two World Series, the 1946 Negro League World Series with the Newark Eagles and the 1948 World Series with the Cleveland Indians.

There were many more players in the Negro Leagues who either played in the Carolinas or were born in the Carolinas that contributed to making the Negro Leagues a major league sport. The Negro Leagues helped Jackie Robinson take the steps to start the breaking of barriers in baseball, in sports, and in our society.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation, founded by Jackie’s wife Rachel, continues to help provide scholarship and leadership programs for minority students and is opening a Jackie Robinson Museum in New York this year.

Jackie Robinson Foundation: https://jackierobinson.org/

MLB’s recognition of the 75th anniversary: https://www.mlb.com/news/jackie-robinson-day-2022-commemoration

Celebrating Black History Month

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In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for Charlotte Knights.

SAM HORN (1993)

Sam Horn led the power-packed Charlotte Knights with 38 home runs in 1993 — still the most home runs by a player in single-season franchise history. The record has stood for nearly 30 years (the 2023 season will mark the 30th anniversary of Charlotte’s first season as a Triple-A affiliate after previously being a Double-A franchise).

In all, the 6-foot-5 slugger hit .269 with 108 hits, 17 doubles and 96 RBIs in 1993 as a member of the Knights, the Cleveland Indians top affiliate. A 1993 International League All-Star, Horn also led the league in home runs that season and helped guide the Knights to winning the Governors’ Cup in the team’s inaugural year as a Triple-A team. Years later, he was named to the “All Knights Stadium Team” during the team’s final season at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill in 2013.

Originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round (16th overall) in the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft, Horn finished with 226 home runs over a 15-year Minor League Baseball career. Horn spent parts of eight seasons in the majors with Boston (1987-89), Baltimore (1990-92), Cleveland (1993) and Texas (1995). He compiled 62 home runs in the majors and 179 RBIs in 389 games played.

BILLY McMILLON (1996-1997)

As a member of the Charlotte Knights in 1996, Billy McMillon took home International League Rookie of the Year honor after leading the league in batting average with an impressive .352 mark. For the season, he finished with 122 hits, 72 runs scored, 32 doubles, 17 home runs and 70 RBI en route to his first of three All-Star nods. He returned to the Knights a season later and became just the second player in Knights history to hit three home runs in a game. McMillon was named to the “All Knights Stadium Team” in 2013 during the team’s final season at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill.

Originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft, McMillon excelled at Clemson University from 1991-1993. He compiled a career .382 batting average and was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference twice and a first-team All-American once. On October 6, 2012, he was honored for his collegiate achievements and earned induction into the Clemson Hall of Fame.

For his professional playing career, McMillon compiled a career .304 batting average with 1,101 hits, 652 runs scored, 256 doubles, 20 triples, 127 home runs, and 610 RBIs in 992 games over 11 Minor League Baseball seasons. He was a career .310 hitter over 600 International League games with the Knights, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, Toledo Mud Hens, and Columbus Clippers. He captured his second IL batting title in 2000 when he hit .345 with the Mud Hens. Overall, he also appeared in 269 games in the majors with the Marlins (1996-97), the Philadelphia Phillies (1997), the Detroit Tigers, and the Oakland A’s (2001, 2003-04).

McMillon was named to the Charlotte Baseball Round Table of Honor in 2020. McMillon, who is a coach with the Rochester Red Wings this year, has yet to be formally honored for his induction into the Charlotte Baseball Round Table of Honor. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Knights did not hold a ceremony in 2021. The Knights hope to formally induct McMillon this year.

JASON BOURGEOIS (2007-2008 & 2016-2017)

Jason Bourgeois played for the Knights over parts of four seasons (2007, 2008, 2016, and 2017) and is among the franchise leaders in a number of offensive categories. He is third in hits (404), third in games played (368), third in at-bats (1,397), third in runs scored (191), second in stolen bases (71), and tied for first in triples (12). Bourgeois was named to the All-Knights Stadium Team in 2013 as a member of the Durham Bulls.

Bourgeois made Charlotte Knights history when he singled in the top of the seventh inning of the team’s 9-4 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Sunday, August 13, 2017 from Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. That single was the 400th of his Charlotte Knights career, which moved him into the exclusive three-member club. Bourgeois, who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and two walks on the day, joined Jordan Danks (449) and Joe Borchard (439) as the only members of the Charlotte Knights 400-Hit Club.

Originally drafted in the second round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Texas Rangers, the Houston, TX native played parts of eight seasons in the majors and appeared in 317 games over the course of those seasons. In the minors, Bourgeois played in parts of 18 seasons, appeared in 1,633 games and compiled 1,763 hits.

MARCUS SEMIEN (2013-2014)

Marcus Semien made his Knights debut in 2013 and returned in 2014.
Buren Foster/Charlotte Knights

Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft, Marcus Semien first made his way to Triple-A with the Knights in 2013. In 32 games with the Knights that year during the team’s final season in Fort Mill, SC, Semien hit .264 (33-for-125) with 20 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 17 RBIs, and four stolen bases.

A year later, Semien was a key contributor for the Knights, who made their return to Charlotte, NC for the first time since 1988. The team opened Truist Field (then named BB&T Ballpark) on April 11, 2014. Although Semien wasn’t there for Opening Knight, he made his way to Uptown Charlotte in June and quickly excelled on the diamond with the team.

In 2014, the California native began the season with the White Sox, but was optioned to the Knights on June 1. In 83 games with Charlotte before being promoted back to Chicago on September 2, he hit .267 (81-for-303) with 57 runs scored, 20 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 52 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. He ended up appearing in 64 games with the White Sox that year — his last in the organization. Overall with the Knights, he appeared in 68 games at shortstop over parts of two seasons and a total of 115 games (2013–14). He hit .266 with 77 runs scored, 31 doubles, four triples, 19 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in his career with the Knights.

Since then, Semien has established himself as one of the game’s best players. In 2019, he hit .285 (187-for-657) with 123 runs scored, 43 doubles, seven triples, 33 home runs, 92 RBIs and 10 stolen bases with Oakland. He finished third in American League MVP voting. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2021 season and went on to have one of his finest seasons in his career. He hit .265 (173-for-652) with 173 hits, 39 doubles and a career-best 45 home runs and 102 RBIs.

TIM ANDERSON (2016 & 2019 Rehab*)

Tim Anderson quickly made his mark in Charlotte in 2016 and has gone on to win a batting title in the majors with the White Sox.
Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights

Originally drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft (17th overall pick) by the Chicago White Sox, Tim Anderson appeared in 55 games with the Charlotte Knights in 2016 and hit .304 (75-for-247) with 39 runs scored, 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 20 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. He was promoted from Charlotte to Chicago on June 10, 2016. At the time of that promotion, Anderson was leading the International League in hits (75) and was second in runs scored (39).

Since leaving the Knights for the White Sox, Anderson has become one of the top players in all of Major League Baseball. His career came full circle during the 2019 season when on Sunday, September 29, 2019 — the final day of the regular season — Anderson was crowned as the American League batting champion. The Tuscaloosa, AL native became the first Charlotte Knights product to win the batting title since 2002 (Manny Ramirez). Earlier that season, Anderson appeared in a short rehab stint with the Knights, coming back to the Queen City for the first time since 2015.

In 123 games with the White Sox in 2019, Anderson hit .335 (167-for-498) with 81 runs scored, 32 doubles, 18 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. His .335 batting average was the highest in the majors — six points ahead of the National League’s Christian Yelich/Ketel Marte and eight points ahead of New York’s D.J. LeMahieu, who hit .327 to finish in second in the American League.

In 2020, Anderson earned an American League Silver Slugger Award and hit an impressive .322 (67-for-208) with a league-best 45 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 21 RBIs and five stolen bases in the pandemic-shortened season.

Last year, he picked up where he left off and once again hit over .300 (.309). He was an American League All-Star for the first time in his career and helped the White Sox to the postseason for the second consecutive year.

Triple-A Final Stretch to Benefit Local Charity

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New York, NY, September 21, 2021 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the creation of a charitable component to the 10-game Triple-A Final Stretch of games that will benefit 501(c)3 charities in each Triple-A city.

For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (home and road games) during the Triple-A Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local charity selected by the team. The team hitting the most home runs over the 10-game span will generate an extra $5,000 donation for their charity.

The Triple-A Final Stretch begins on September 22nd as the Knights will host the Norfolk Tides from Truist Field. The Knights have selected Baseball For Life as this year’s charity to receive these donations.

Baseball For Life looks to teach young people throughout the Charlotte community the importance of our four pillars of Character – Service, Stewardship, Leadership and Ownership. These skills are important in the game of baseball are in life. The role of Baseball For Life is to effectively coordinate and channel these our community’s resources in a way which most positively impacts young people. Although Baseball For Life will continue to evolve over the years its initial tangible influence on the community’s youth will be felt primarily through five on-going initiatives.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development,

Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

Minor League Baseball consists of 120 teams across four classification levels (Low-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A) that are affiliated with Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. Fans flock to Minor League Baseball games to see baseball’s future stars and experience the affordable family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple of Minor League Baseball since 1901. For more information, visit MiLB.com. Follow Minor League Baseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Knights help Charlotte youth lead the way

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Nonprofit selected as one of five CommUNITY grant recipients

For Charlotte’s Megan Smithers, nominating an organization for Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY grant program was a no-brainer, given the team’s relationship with and appreciation for the Young Black Leadership Alliance.

The Knights’ director of community relations selected YBLA for its involvement with Black youth in the Charlotte area. Founded in 2006, YBLA works to “educate and develop young black leaders to have a positive impact in their community and beyond.” Through its flagship Ambassador program, YBLA identifies student leaders in high school, helps get them ready for college and their early professional years while also training them to mentor students of all grade levels.

Recently, in light of social justice issues that have come to the forefront, YBLA launched another campaign called Community Conversations — a three-tier program aiming to educate, collaborate and solve disparities affecting the Black community in Charlotte.

“Community Conversations has been a great way to create positive communication,” Smithers said. “They’ve been able to create a platform where people can come join and talk openly and really either educate themselves or listen to other people.

“I think the leaders and founders of YBLA realized the opportunity to create positive conversation. This also showed these young Black youth that they are helping to further their careers and further their education. It allowed them to get involved.”

Members of the Young Black Leadership Alliance enjoy a Knights game. Charlotte Knights

Eager to recognize the important work of nonprofit organizations in 2020, Minor League Baseball came up with the idea of awarding five $500 grants to organizations spanning the country that are supporting their local and diverse community in an impactful, relevant way. YBLA joins Dreams Go On (Altoona Curve), Charleston Hope (Charleston RiverDogs), El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank (El Paso Chihuahuas) and ¡HICA! (Birmingham Barons) as recipients receiving that grant on behalf of MiLB Charities.

“YBLA is doing some really great things in our community,” Smithers said. “They make sure (their ambassadors) succeed, go to college and become good community advocates.”

This is not the first time the Knights have helped recognize the efforts of YBLA. In 2017, Charlotte awarded the organization a $3,500 grant as part of its Safe at Home campaign. The Knights also work closely with YBLA for education opportunities in the sports industry, serving as a community liaison.

“If they have kids in their program that have sports-tracked minds or want to go into sports, we are a good advocate for them,” Smithers said.

COVID-19 has forced YBLA’s in-person sessions for the 2020-21 school year to be conducted online. However, that hasn’t hindered the organization’s ability to impact and inspire the Charlotte community. Community Conversations still take place online every Tuesday, and the sessions are open to the public.

“This allowed the youth to get involved, which was a different aspect hearing how things are affecting them,” Smithers said. “It’s definitely a cool way that they were able to engage with all the demographics during this kind of unrest.”

Katie Woo is an editorial producer for Minor League Baseball. Follow her on twitter at @katiejwoo.

“Week of Giving” Presented by Truist

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2020 Week of Giving

 

The Charlotte Knights are pleased to announce that the team’s “Knights Care 4 CLT” initiative, which was launched back on April 15, has raised over $125,000 and the team will now disperse the funds to those affected by COVID-19. With help from a $75,000 donation from naming rights partner, Truist, and additional contributions from Charlotte Knights Charities, sponsors and fans, the team will donate those funds to healthcare workers, seven local-area charities, and Knights’ employees (part-time, game-day, and full-time) who are in need.

“As this pandemic continues to affect so many in our community, we are very pleased to begin dispersing these much-needed funds to those who need some help,” stated Dan Rajkowski, Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer. “We are so thankful to Truist, as well as our generous partners and fans who helped us raise these funds for those in need. Baseball has a way of bringing communities together and we hope that we are able to help those in the community who have been affected by this difficult time in our nation’s history.”

In addition to the funds dispersed to Knights’ displaced employees due to COVID-19 from the cancellation of the 2020 season, the team is also contributing $15,000 from the “Knights Care 4 CLT” fund to Atrium Health, one of the team’s founding partners.

Rajkowski added, “In the face of this pandemic, our healthcare workers rose to the challenge and continued to care for our community in this time of need. As a part of our Knights Care 4 CLT campaign, we are very pleased to donate a portion of the funds to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund, addressing PPE and supply shortages.”

“It’s generous support from community partners like the Charlotte Knights that continues to enhance Atrium Health’s efforts to fulfill its mission of providing the best care to all during the current pandemic,” said Armando Chardiet, President of Atrium Health Foundation. “The Charlotte Knights organization has been a close friend of the Foundation since 2002, and we are extremely grateful for their recent $15,000 contribution to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund.”

As part of this initiative, the Knights have selected seven local Charlotte area nonprofits who were in need of some extra funding during these unprecedented times. Organizations receiving the allocated funds — a total of $40,000 — include Bright Blessings, Care Ring, Classroom Central, Promising Pages, Roof Above, Second Harvest Food Bank and A Child’s Place | Thompson Child & Family Focus. As part of the financial donations to these organizations, members of the team’s front office staff will also volunteer their time from August 3-10 during the club’s annual “Week of Giving” presented by Truist. The Knights’ front office staff committed to a goal of 500 community service hours through non-profits, blood drive contributions, and an educational outreach program as part of the Knights Care 4 CLT campaign. To date, the Knights have given 550+ hours back to the community through various in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities.

“Knights Care 4 CLT” Raised Over $125,000 

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Charlotte Knights are pleased to announce that the team’s “Knights Care 4 CLT” initiative, which was launched back on April 15, has raised over $125,000 and the team will now disperse the funds to those affected by COVID-19. With help from a $75,000 donation from naming rights partner, Truist, and additional contributions from Charlotte Knights Charities, sponsors and fans, the team will donate those funds to healthcare workers, seven local-area charities, and Knights’ employees (part-time, game-day, and full-time) who are in need.

“As this pandemic continues to affect so many in our community, we are very pleased to begin dispersing these much-needed funds to those who need some help,” stated Dan Rajkowski, Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer. “We are so thankful to Truist, as well as our generous partners and fans who helped us raise these funds for those in need. Baseball has a way of bringing communities together and we hope that we are able to help those in the community who have been affected by this difficult time in our nation’s history.”

In addition to the funds dispersed to Knights’ displaced employees due to COVID-19 from the cancellation of the 2020 season, the team is also contributing $15,000 from the “Knights Care 4 CLT” fund to Atrium Health, one of the team’s founding partners.

Rajkowski added, “In the face of this pandemic, our healthcare workers rose to the challenge and continued to care for our community in this time of need. As a part of our Knights Care 4 CLT campaign, we are very pleased to donate a portion of the funds to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund, addressing PPE and supply shortages.”

“It’s generous support from community partners like the Charlotte Knights that continues to enhance Atrium Health’s efforts to fulfill its mission of providing the best care to all during the current pandemic,” said Armando Chardiet, President of Atrium Health Foundation. “The Charlotte Knights organization has been a close friend of the Foundation since 2002, and we are extremely grateful for their recent $15,000 contribution to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund.”

As part of this initiative, the Knights have selected seven local Charlotte area nonprofits who were in need of some extra funding during these unprecedented times. Organizations receiving the allocated funds — a total of $40,000 — include Bright Blessings, Care Ring, Classroom Central, Promising Pages, Roof Above, Second Harvest Food Bank and A Child’s Place | Thompson Child & Family Focus. As part of the financial donations to these organizations, members of the team’s front office staff will also volunteer their time from August 3-10 during the club’s annual “Week of Giving” presented by Truist. The Knights’ front office staff committed to a goal of 500 community service hours through non-profits, blood drive contributions, and an educational outreach program as part of the Knights Care 4 CLT campaign. To date, the Knights have given 550+ hours back to the community through various in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities..

For more information, or how fans, partners, and other interested parties can continue to help those in need, please visit the link here —> KNIGHTS CARE 4 CLT

2020 Charlotte Area High School Senior All-Star Classic presented by Truist

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Charlotte Knights are pleased to announce that the 2020 Charlotte Area High School Senior All-Star Classic presented by Truist will take place on Thursday, July 9 at Truist Field. First pitch of the game is set for 4:30 PM. Gates will be closed to the general public.

“We are pleased to be able to host this great game,” stated Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski. “This will be a special day for all of these athletes, their families, and the Charlotte community. We look forward to a memorable day at the ballpark on Thursday.”

The Charlotte High School Varsity League, which features about 100 players from a dozen area local high schools, was formed last month after the high school baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league, which fielded six teams, played games in Matthews and Huntersville in June and early July. The All-Star Classic will give the seniors in the league the chance to play their last prep game at one of the premier baseball venues in the country, Truist Field.

Knights Announce 2020 Scholarships with Founding Partners

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Charlotte Knights will once again provide educational funding through two unique scholarships for high school students with help from two of their founding partners. The Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship, presented by Atrium Health, along with the Charlotte Knights STEM Scholarship Program, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, each represent the team’s focus on community initiatives.

The Knights and Atrium Health began their partnership in 2013 with the Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship program. Over the course of seven years, a total of 21 high school students have each been honored with a $1,000 scholarship. In an effort to improve educational funding for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care, the Charlotte Knights and Atrium Health will provide three more $1,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors in 2020. The upcoming season will mark the eighth consecutive year of this partnership.

“We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Charlotte Knights to provide academic scholarships to deserving students with an interest in healthcare,” said Rasu Shrestha, MD, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Atrium Health. “By empowering and supporting the next generation, we’re able to be a small part of these students having a meaningful impact on communities in the future as they provide health, hope and healing to countless lives.”

The Knights and Piedmont Natural Gas will also continue to award three $1,000 college scholarships to high school seniors from the Charlotte region who plan to attend college and pursue studies in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering or math. Launched in 2014, Piedmont Natural Gas and the Knights have awarded a total of 18 scholarships to students attending college within Piedmont’s service territories in North and South Carolina. The 2020 season will mark the seventh consecutive year of this partnership.

“Piedmont Natural Gas is committed to promoting education and careers in STEM, which is why we’re honored to partner with the Knights on this scholarship for the seventh year,” said Barbara Ashford, director of community relations for Piedmont Natural Gas. “Supporting and providing opportunities to bright young minds in our community through the STEM Scholarship Program is something we take pride in each year.”

The Charlotte Knights STEM Scholarship Program, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, will be awarded during an on-field ceremony on Tuesday, June 16. The Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship, presented Atrium Health, will be awarded during an on-field ceremony at BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday, June 17. All applications must be completed by Sunday, May 3, 2020.

APPLICATIONS

About Atrium Health
Atrium Health, previously Carolinas HealthCare System, one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Atrium Health works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives. http://atriumhealth.org

About Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, is an energy services company whose principal business is the distribution of natural gas to more than 1 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The company also supplies natural gas to power plants. Piedmont is routinely recognized by J.D. Power for excellent customer satisfaction, and has been named by Cogent Reports as one of the most trusted utility brands in the U.S.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2020 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2019 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental topics. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Opening Knight of the 2020 season is set for Thursday, April 16 at 7:04 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark. Single-game tickets for all home games this season are available now by phone at 704-274-8282, online at www.CharlotteKnights.com, or in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

National Anthem Auditions at Queen City Q on February 18

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Charlotte Knights and Queen City Q — the team’s Official BBQ — are once again teaming up to host the club’s annual National Anthem auditions on Tuesday, February 18. For the seventh consecutive season, the auditions will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Queen City Q in Uptown Charlotte. The auditions are free of charge and are open to the public. Performers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Contestants will be required to pre-register before February 18 and will be given a specific time to perform that evening.

Anyone interested in auditioning at Queen City Q on February 18 should fill out an online registration form: http://bit.ly/KnightsNationalAnthemAuditions_2020.

Each individual will be given a maximum of two minutes to perform his or her best rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” on stage at Queen City Q. All in-person auditions will be given priority when selecting National Anthem performers for the upcoming 2020 season. Individuals with instruments are more than welcome to audition, but will need to bring their own equipment. Queen City Q is located at 225 E. 6th Street, Charlotte, NC 28101.

The Knights and Queen City Q recently renewed their partnership. Queen City Q has been prominently featured at BB&T Ballpark since April 11, 2014 — the opening of the team’s Uptown Charlotte home. The Knights and Queen City Q will now continue their partnership for another three seasons (through 2022).

“We have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with the Knights over the past six seasons and look forward to the next three seasons,” said Bryan Meredith, Managing Partner of Queen City Q.

Season memberships, as well as the Triple Play Plan, are available now by phone at 704-274-8282, online at CharlotteKnights.com, or in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office. Single-game tickets for all home games this season will go on sale to the general public in person at BB&T Ballpark beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8 (online and by phone at 12 p.m. noon on February 8).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Knights Hiring for Upcoming 2020 Season

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

The Charlotte Knights are now hiring a number of seasonal positions for the upcoming 2020 season. The team kicks off the upcoming campaign — their seventh in Uptown Charlotte — on Thursday, April 16 at 7:04 p.m. against the Durham Bulls at BB&T Ballpark.

Currently, the Knights have seasonal positions available in Promotions, Grounds, and Kids Zone. Additionally, Professional Sports Catering — the Official Food Service Provider of the Charlotte Knights — are in search of dedicated team members in a number of areas.

For more details, or to apply for any of the positions, please click on the job positions listed below:

GROUNDS
PROMO TEAM
KIDS ZONE
FOOD SERVICE

For additional openings on TeamWorkOnline, click here —> EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

“Fields For Our Future” Winner Crowned

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — Back in August, the Charlotte Knights announced a partnership with Sta-Green and Lowe’s to launch “Fields For Our Future” — an annual field renovation project. Today, the Knights are excited to announce that the girls’ softball field at Mint Hill Athletic Association has been crowned as the inaugural winner. The field makeover is set to take place in November.

The entire project will be led by Charlotte Knights head groundskeeper, Matt Parrott, his staff, as well as members of the Charlotte Knights front office staff, and members from Sta-Green and Lowe’s. Earlier this year, (February 13), the Knights began a partnership with Sta-Green and Lowe’s and helped improve the conditions of the Phillip O. Berry Academy High School baseball field.

“Sta-Green is excited to partner with the Charlotte Knights again and make a difference for youth sports in our area,” stated Jennifer Puncochar, Central Garden & Pet. “We’re honored to give back to the Mint Hill community and help renovate the girls’ softball field.”

Sta-Green grass seed, fertilizer, and plant food are available exclusively at Lowe’s.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.