We are the Bristol Knights

We are a Bristol, Connecticut based team comprised of local players who grew up in and played locally in the Bristol area. Some other players work for ESPN, and other local ball players that have jumped in with us over the years. For additonal info about our team over the years… you can check us out on social media or our other website:


Bristol Knights Instagram
Bristol Knights Twitter
www.bristolknights.com

Email us! 

TEAM FOUNDED:
In 2003 by Scott, Chris, & Gary Dickens

2022 SPONSORS:
Bristol Wine & Spirits, Play It Again Sports (Southington), Max Pizza, Tire Depot, West End Pizza, and I Shine.

2022 COACHING STAFF:
Manager: Rick Barrett
Coaches: Earl Oakes, Chris McGrath, Justin Martella
Advisor/Founder: Scott Dickens

History / Championships:
2007 UBA Manchester Twilight League Champions
2008 NABA CT Fall Ball League Champions
2009 MTL Home Run Derby Winner: Dan Beecher
2011 Manchester Twilight League Champions
2014 Manchester Twilight League Champions
2015 Connecticut Twilight League Champions
2016 CTL Regular Season Best Record (20W – 4L – 1T), Central Division Champions
2017 CTL Central Division Champions (17W – 6L – 2T)
2018 CTL Central Division Champions (17W – 7L – 1T)
2019 CTL Runner’s Up, lost in Champtionship Series to F.O.C. Brewers (10W-11L-1T)

 

Knights 2020 Preview:

After finishing the regular season with an overall losing record of 10-11-1 last season the Bristol Knights caught fire and road the hypothetical bus all the way to the league championship after upset victories over the eventual CTL Champions, The Fat Orange Cat Brewers, the 2nd seeded Barle Realty Indians in an extra innings thriller, and the 4th seeded Elmer’s Angels. The Knights got hot in all the right areas at the right time but eventually the bus ran out of gas in the championship falling to the Brewers in the best of three game championship two games to none. 

The Knights look to rearm their roster in a COVID shortened season this year with many players from their finals appearing team last season returning along with a few key additions to the team. The most notable returners include Kyle Pileski, the reigning CTL Slugger Award winner, finishing the season with a .389 average and a league high three home runs. Also packing a punch in the middle of the lineup is long time Knights stud Rick Barrett. Barrett has played all over the field in the last few years and has always been a staple in the middle of the order and is a big threat from both sides of the dish. Justin Martella returns and was an all-star catcher last season for the Knights hitting over .300 for his second straight season. Newcomers last season, Ben Mazzone and Jaeden Rasmus, also return and will likely man the middle infield with Mazzone finishing in the top ten in batting average last year. Also returning in the outfield will be two all-stars, Georgie Santiago and Steve Clout. Clout came alive in the playoffs last year catching fire at the plate in the Knights run to the championship and Georgie Santiago led the league in outfield assists with his cannon arm manning left field. On the bump returning for the Knights are long time strongholds in the rotation Chris McGrath and Earl Oakes. McGrath pitched an absolute masterpiece against the Brewers in the first round of the post season, pitching the Knights to a 5-4 victory and Oakes pitched in key games during the regular season and had many relief appearances in the playoffs. The most notable return, is the Knights stand out arm last season, Rob Bibisi. Rob was nominated for a bunch of awards last season including Performance of the Year where he shut out the Elmer’s Angels after they scored 21 runs in the previous two games. Rob was also second in the CTL in games pitched and innings pitched compiling 15 games and 65 1/3 innings respectively. 

The Knights did however suffer a few losses for this upcoming season, the most notable being Julio Ortiz-Rivera. Ortiz-Rivera was the runner up in the MVP race last season and was also the runner up in the batting race as well. Ortiz-Rivera compiled a .450 average and led the league in total bases with 39. Julio was the Knights lead-off hitter and centerfielder in twenty games last season and will definitely be a huge hole the team will look to fill. Julio will take the season off and hopefully will be able to rejoin the team next season.

As mentioned previously the Knights did add a few nice additions to the roster adding some infield help and some help on the mound. The first edition is a familiar name for Bristol Natives, Noah Plantamuro joins the Knights and adds a great glove to the infield. Plantamuro was a two-time all-conference selection at Bristol Central High School and now is playing ball in Willimantic at Eastern Connecticut State. Another Bristol native to join the Knights is Howard Rebhun, Howard also played his high school ball at Bristol Central and now plays his college ball in Waterbury at Post University. An interesting fact about Howard is that he is an ambidextrous pitcher, meaning he can pitch with both arms! Rebhun looks to add some much needed pitching depth for the Knights whether it be with his left arm or his right. Another addition for the Knights and looking to increase the pitching rotation depth is Bristol native Eric Trahan. Trahan attended Bristol Eastern High School and went on to play his college ball at Becker College in Leicester, Massachusetts. Another key pitching addition for the Knights will be Joe Persechino. The left hander hails from Torrington but attended St. Paul Catholic High School and went on to play ball at Newbury College before the college closed down and now is a Junior at Curry College in Milton, Mass. Joe also adds corner outfield depth for the Knights which will help down the stretch. Another middle infield addition for the Knights is Terryville native Zack Rinkavage. A recent graduate of Terryville High, Rinkavage was a member of the All Bristol Press team last season posting a .458 average and .559 OBP. Rinkavage will head to Groton, CT to continue his baseball career at UCONN Avery Point. The final addition for the Knights should add another big bat in the heart of the order and man the hot corner at third base and his name is Colby Jones. Jones is from West Hartford where he attended Conard High School and was an All-State performer. Upon graduation Jones went to Central Connecticut State for his first year of college where he was a redshirt on the baseball team. Since then Colby has transferred to Eastern Connecticut where he looked to continue his baseball career before the collegiate spring sports seasons were cancelled. 

The Knights look to follow up last seasons close but no cigar season coming hot out of the gate and riding the momentum through the shortened season. It took a little longer than we would’ve like but Bristol Knights baseball is back.

2022 CTL Award Winners: