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The East Texas Knights finished the Inaugural season as 2009 Fall World Series Runner-ups in Deep East Texas Select League play! They continued to play through the Spring 2010 Season and played up in the 10U Division of Deep East Texas due to the lack of 9U Teams that season. The Knights were highly competitive at this higher level and we expect that the Fall 2010 campaign will benefit our kids greatly now that they will be back competing at their own age level.
This Select Baseball Organization based outside of Tyler, Texas has been formed by a group of parents committed to the development of athletes, not just on the field of play, but as young persons of character. Baseball is our national pastime and a great environment to prepare our kids, the leaders of tomorrow, for future success. We seek to win championships, but we will also celebrate the accomplishments off the field of our kids as they represent our organization to the area, state, and nation. This is the pinnacle for which we will always strive.
The intent is for the Knights Organization to have multiple teams competing at many different age levels. The key to building a successful organization for the long term is to start with the fundamentals of the game. The inaugural team competed in the 9U age division and we have already been approached by others seeking to join our group at other age levels and hope to have 8U, 10U, and 11U Teams for Fall of 2010. Feel free to contact us if you would like to be considered for additional Knight's Teams.
Another exciting component of our organization is the commitment to give back to the community in which we live and thank them for the support of our effort. The East Texas Knights Select Baseball Organization and the Flint-Gresham Community Improvement Association, Inc. have signed an agreement to renovate the former Flint-Gresham Ballpark and make it our permanent home. We have begun the renovation project and intend to utilize the facility as soon as possible. It is our intention to provide the community with a wonderful facility to watch some high quality youth select baseball, but also use our involvement to leave the area with facilities that can bring the community together on a more regular basis for a multitude of events. We can not do this alone, and we will need the help of business and community leaders to raise the funds necessary to make this effort a success. If you, or someone you know, can help to revitalize this cornerstone of the community, please contact us or you can click on the button to the left titled Sponsorships and make a donation immediately. All donations made towards revitalizing the Flint-Gresham Ballpark and Community Center are tax deductible. This initiative culminated with the Grand Opening of the Ballpark on May 11, 2010. Come check it out!
We are thrilled to be residents of our "Camelot", East Texas. We invite you to join us as we showcase the athletes and kids of character that have earned the right to be members of the East Texas Knights.
The Teams
The East Texas Knights are a Select Baseball Organization whose sole purpose is to develop the character and skills of our players while providing an environment of fun & fellowship that will lead to success both on and off the field of play. The Players
•We
seek to recruit players who love the game of baseball.
•We wish to
instill in each player that baseball is a game whose very
nature presents situations to provide competitive and
character challenges that once overcome will prepare the
player for their adult life.
The Parents
•Success
for each player
will only be possible with support of the parents.
•
In selecting our players, the parents will play a key role in determining whether we can reach our goals. In the end, the support of the parents is more important that the skill of the player. •
Each Family must be willing to support the East Texas Knights unequivocally and this support combined with other Team families will provide an environment that will allow our Coaches and Staff the ability to prepare our players to compete at level we seek.
Management and Staff
Charlie Franklin - Hitting Instructor
Charlie Franklin is a native East Texan and attended Texas Christian University on a baseball Scholarship. Charlie was named "First Team All Southwest Conference" and led the conference in total bases and RBI's while hitting for a .382 average. Maybe his biggest claim to fame is that he had 121 plate appearances and did not strike out once! Charlie works with each of our teams on a periodic schedule and is also available for private instruction on a more regular basis. He has taught the "Art of Hitting" to some of the most successful baseball players to have ever come out of East Texas. instruction@etknights.com
John Wilson - Coach
Originally from San Antonio, John Wilson is a respected and well known Coach in the East Texas area. He has coached at many levels with Little League, Texas Teen-age, etc. and has years of experience developing the youth of East Texas. John works for Life Gas, www.lifegas.com, and is also a volunteer at the local United Methodist Church.
Kas Smith - Coach
Kas joined the Knights in the Spring of 2010 to provide periodic instruction in the area of conditioning and physical preparation based on his experience as a professional athlete. He is the 5 time (consecutive) Club Champion at Emerald Bay C.C. and currently competes in various professional golf events around the region.
Rick Perez - Coach
Rick joined the Knights for the Fall 2010 Season. Rick has many years of experience coaching at the select level. He has been an active member of the Whitehouse Youth Baseball Association and works for Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. http://www.tmfhs.org/TMFhomepage
Sam Smith - General Manager
Sam is the CEO of Mercy Ships, www.mercyships.org, an international global charity that utilizes hospital ships manned by a volunteer crew to deliver hope and healing to the forgotten poor. He has coached in numerous leagues at a variety of levels and utilizes his championship experience in athletics to provide a platform for the Knights staff and athletes to excel on and off the field of play.
Todd Hensley - Coach
Todd joined the Knights Nation in the Spring of 2010. He was effectively recruited by, engaged to, and has now married one of the founding maidens of the Knights Organization, Melonie Watts Hensley. Todd grew up playing baseball in Lindale, TX and has a passion to help kids develop on the playing field. Todd works for Haliburton in Kilgore. www.haliburton.com
Wes Hall - Coach and Pitching Instructor
Wes Hall joined the Knights Staff in the Summer of 2010 and has brought his wealth of knowledge to the development of our athletes. Wes has served on the Board of Directors of the Whitehouse Youth Baseball Association and is also a respected member of the East Texas Umpire Association. instruction@etknights.com
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About East Texas Knights
The finest Select Baseball Organization in Texas!
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