Spring Break
Round Table
Issue date: 7/8/09 Section: Sports
Knights set record
On a festive night at the ballpark, 3,506 fans packed Goss Stadium to set a new West Coast League single-game attendance record. The old mark was set by Bend this season as 2,679 fans attended the Elks' home opener.
Knights fans enjoyed a great game, a beautiful summer evening and a spectacular post-game fireworks show.
The record crowd witnessed the Knights' record-setting 18th straight win, a 9-2 victory over division rival Bend and a monster home run by first baseman Dylan Jones that careened off the netting protecting the park's video scoreboard.
The standing room-only crowd gave Jones a standing ovation as he touched home plate.
"The electricity at the park was amazing," said team president Dan Segel. "This is a night we'll never forget."
"We thank everyone for coming out, and for helping us set a pretty cool record.
"The crowd was much bigger than we could have ever imagined, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by long lines.
"I can assure fans we will be better prepared next time with alternative food kiosks in the park and possibly food stands in the plaza to better accommodate our customers for events like this," said Segel.
With the huge crowd, the Knights average attendance shot up to 790. In total, 15,027 fans have attended Knights games this summer with 11 regular season home games remaining.
Corvallis drew an average of 640 fans last summer and an average of 439 in the team's inaugural season at Goss Stadium.
- Corvallis Knights
Shining Knights
Many former Knights are performing strongly in the professional ranks.
Former Aloha Knight and 2005 West Coast League Pitcher of the Year, Tommy Hanson is having a strong rookie season for the Atlanta Braves. Hanson, who attended Riverside Community College, is 4-0 with a 2.56 ERA.
The ace of the 2006 Aloha Knights pitching staff, Mark Rzepczynski was scheduled to make his Major League debut last night as the Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher in their game against Tampa Bay.
Another member of the 2005 squad, Bud Norris is slated be the starting pitcher for the Pacific Coast League All-Stars in the 2009 Triple-A All-Star game, to be held in Portland's PGE Park.
On the opposite side of PGE Park will be the International League All-Stars, which will include catcher Chris Stewart of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
Former Knight and Oregon State closer Kevin Gunderson was recently called up from Double-A to the Braves Triple-A affiliate the Gwinnett Braves.
- The Summer Barometer
On a festive night at the ballpark, 3,506 fans packed Goss Stadium to set a new West Coast League single-game attendance record. The old mark was set by Bend this season as 2,679 fans attended the Elks' home opener.
Knights fans enjoyed a great game, a beautiful summer evening and a spectacular post-game fireworks show.
The record crowd witnessed the Knights' record-setting 18th straight win, a 9-2 victory over division rival Bend and a monster home run by first baseman Dylan Jones that careened off the netting protecting the park's video scoreboard.
The standing room-only crowd gave Jones a standing ovation as he touched home plate.
"The electricity at the park was amazing," said team president Dan Segel. "This is a night we'll never forget."
"We thank everyone for coming out, and for helping us set a pretty cool record.
"The crowd was much bigger than we could have ever imagined, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by long lines.
"I can assure fans we will be better prepared next time with alternative food kiosks in the park and possibly food stands in the plaza to better accommodate our customers for events like this," said Segel.
With the huge crowd, the Knights average attendance shot up to 790. In total, 15,027 fans have attended Knights games this summer with 11 regular season home games remaining.
Corvallis drew an average of 640 fans last summer and an average of 439 in the team's inaugural season at Goss Stadium.
- Corvallis Knights
Shining Knights
Many former Knights are performing strongly in the professional ranks.
Former Aloha Knight and 2005 West Coast League Pitcher of the Year, Tommy Hanson is having a strong rookie season for the Atlanta Braves. Hanson, who attended Riverside Community College, is 4-0 with a 2.56 ERA.
The ace of the 2006 Aloha Knights pitching staff, Mark Rzepczynski was scheduled to make his Major League debut last night as the Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher in their game against Tampa Bay.
Another member of the 2005 squad, Bud Norris is slated be the starting pitcher for the Pacific Coast League All-Stars in the 2009 Triple-A All-Star game, to be held in Portland's PGE Park.
On the opposite side of PGE Park will be the International League All-Stars, which will include catcher Chris Stewart of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
Former Knight and Oregon State closer Kevin Gunderson was recently called up from Double-A to the Braves Triple-A affiliate the Gwinnett Braves.
- The Summer Barometer
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