Ft.Lauderdale Knights 2021 Preseason Preview
The Ft. Lauderdale Knights are a fairly new organization within the SFCBL at only three years old but have found some great success in their first couple of years with some established staff within the summer collegiate baseball world. The owner, Ryan Combs, is an owner of one other team in the league and the travel baseball organization The Florida Pokers. He has been an owner within the league since its inception and has had several very successful teams, that have not only seen success on the field but behind it, in the press box as well. As the Knights gather in Fort Lauderdale for the South Florida Collegiate League opener, it’s time to take a last look back at the Knights 2020 season in this 2021 preview. They went 19–18 in a winning season for the young ballclub and are looking to improve after making it to the postseason last season and achieve the ultimate goal of winning the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League championship.
Their manager Sam Martin is in only his second year as the skipper and his team has already taken significant steps towards the SFCBL title in making the postseason in his first year. As it was a learning experience for him and his team, his players took to him, among them two significant contributors; lefty starter Hunter Kloke and infielder Tim Jean, who has taken the role of captain, returning for an unheard of third year in summer ball.
“I’m very excited about having both those players return this summer,” the manager wrote. “Hunter Kloke is a graduated senior who’s trying to get some more time in front of the scouts before the draft this year and him and I will be in our third summer together. He’s a phenomenal pitcher but an even better leader. I’m very excited for him to get here and show the younger arms on the staff, just what its like to come take care of business every day. Tim Jean is Mr. Knight. I can’t say much more third year in the league this summer, all with the Knights and a two time all star. He is undoubtedly the captain of the team and I know he’s going to do big things this summer.” Of course, the team has renewed and increased expectations from just the team being happy to have made the postseason. They have championships in their sight, and within their grasp. “Fans can expect a fiercely competitive, winning team” noted Mr. Martin. Tim Jean is set to break all sorts of records this summer for the Knights, including most games played (the record is 79, Jean has 72), at bats (record’s 129, Jean has 123), hits (record’s 75 Jean has 54), RBI (record’s 27, Jean has 26) and OBP% in which Jean is .438 (the record is .483).
Jean’s enjoyment of the game keeps him coming back for more with the Knights, and he’s excited for the team to get going off the bat against the Florida Pokers, who the team struggled against last season to the tune of a 1–4 record, echoing a canard from his manager Sam Martin that they need to get hot out of the gate. “My first year in the SFCBL we won 30 games and it was a lot of fun. I want to get back to that feeling. As far as winning goes once you get the taste for it you get addicted. I love winning, I love competing, and that feeling I get when I lose only fuels my fire to win more.” Jean’s fire encapsulates the organizations goals this summer, and his feelings about the himself as a player and what his first-attitude symbolizes. “I know what it takes to be a successful team in this league and I think I can help the Knights adjust to adversity that comes with playing in this league. I take pride in what I do and I work hard not only for myself but for my teammates. I’ve always wanted to be someone that people can look up to or go to when they need advice. That’s just who I am and it feels good to gain the respect of guys.”
The Knights will once again face stiff competition for the other ten teams, but Hunter Kloke, a 6’ 1” left-hander who started the Knights playoff game last summer, and is looking forward to leading the Knights pitching staff again. The lefty went 2–1 with a 1.30 ERA in 5 starts last year. In 20 2/3rds innings, he struck out 10 hitters, keeping opposing hitters to a .175 batting average. Hunter certainly has the qualities of a staff leader. “I loved the atmosphere [and] the competition…I treat the first game of the summer just as I do the championship game of playoffs. It’s all survival mode. I hate losing. I refuse to. I’m relentless. I’m out there to win every pitch. Not every at bat. Not every game. I want to win every pitch. The game scenario doesn’t matter. All that matters is that [we] can’t lose.”
Payton Shubert, a new infielder, described his excitement joining the Knights for this summer this way: “I’m super excited to be apart of this organization. It’s a blessing to be apart of this league and the Fort Lauderdale Knights. What led me to be with Knights is the exposure and competition they offer. My goal is to play at the next level and I personally feel like the Knights can help me achieve that goal…My experience with baseball has been amazing I love this sport with all my heart.” That view symbolizes the Knights entire mindset going into this season; love, heart, passion for the game and playing for each other. That’s what the Knights will try to do every pitch, every at bat, every game this season. The organization is fired up and ready to go opening day, June 4th at 6:00 pm at Santaluces Park.