Pulling out the foam fingers that read “We’re #1,” roasting peanuts, painting the lines on the field and taking batting practice...ahhh, the beginning of baseball season. 

The baseball team has a new head coach, Jim Diestel, a graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School and a local fireman.  Diestel served as the freshman boy’s baseball coach last season and he’s ready to take the Knights to new places. 

Diestel, who was out of coaching for a while as he coached his daughters’ softball teams, is excited to get back into the sport he loves.

“Well, I coached softball before I came here and it was good to get back in the sport of baseball,” Diestel said.

The players are glad to have him as well.  

“He’s a great coach he knows a lot about the game and teaches us a lot,” senior second baseman Casey Quinn said.

Quinn returns as one of seven seniors on a balanced squad that could do great things as the year progresses. 

“We looked really good in our scrimmage against Kent Roosevelt and I thought it was the best we looked fundamentally,” Diestel said.

The baseball team has a solid group of seniors that are leading the team in the right direction. 

“The great thing about this year’s seniors is not only do they lead on the field, they also lead off the field by making good choices and setting a good example for the younger players,” Diestel said.

Many off the field team experiences have helped the boys grow.  

“After practice we usually go to Subway and that is a good time for us to bond as a team,” Quinn said.

The Knights have a few players that will be going to the next level to play.  Casey Wilson will be going to Kent State University to play, while Tim Shaub is going to Adrian College to compete.

They have a tough schedule this year.  The home opener was against the Tallmadge and the Knights were beaten by the Blue Devils 18-2.

“They’re a very strong team they have been playing together for a long time,” Quinn said.

In the second contest against Copley on April 1, a 9-1 mark left the Knights still looking for a victory early in the season.  The Knights have an opportunity to get on the winning side with two North Coast League games against Trinity on April 6 and against Holy Name on April 8.