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JUNE 5-11, 2024
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Berlin Knights win their first tournament By TAJA JOHNSON The Sun
The Berlin Knights 8U baseball team consists of 12 boys, 7 and 8 years old. They played three scrimmages in March before beginning their first season in April.
responders in Berlin: The former is fire chief and a retired police sergeant in Berlin Borough, where Waechtler is a lieutenant. “The process began in the spring of 2023 when we brain-
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The Berlin Knights 8U baseball team clinched its first tournament win at the threeday Mid Atlantic Warriors Do or Die Baseball Tournament in Swedesboro on May 19, a significant milestone for a team formed just last August. The idea for the Kinghts came from coaches Mike Kernan and John Waechtler, who wanted their sons and friends in Berlin to play travel baseball together. Instead of joining teams in other towns, they created one that would enable the young players to bond as they competed. “The Berlin Knights 8U baseball team was formed so that my son Chase and John Waechtler’s son Mason could play competitive baseball in their town with their friends and classmates instead of playing in an outside town,” explained head coach Kernan. “We have both been coaching for the Berlin Athletic Association since our sons were in T-ball and knew that Berlin has very talented kids at this age, which aided in our decision to form the team.” Forming the Knights required significant effort and financial planning from Kernan and Waechtler, both first
stormed ideas on how to form a team,” Kernan recalled. “A big obstacle was the financial aspect, which required planning and implementing fundraisers as well as seeking community support through
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sponsorships.” Thanks to the generosity of 22 local sponsors – including King of Pizza, Visionary Brands, Timeless Med Space and the Berlin Farmer’s Market – the Knights managed to
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cover costs such as uniforms, umpire fees and tournament costs. Fundraising efforts by the players and their families were crucial. The team consists of 12 boys, 7 and 8 years old, who were selected after tryouts. They played three scrimmages in March before beginning their first season in April. The Knights compete in the newly formed South Jersey Baseball League, which includes nine local travel baseball teams who play through early June, when playoffs take place. The Knights are registered for seven tournaments through July. They played their first Swedesboro tournament game on Friday, May 17, defeating the host team, the Mid-Atlantic Warriors, 9-5. Waechtler highlighted key moments from the game. “Hits by Luciano Sabec, Mason Waechtler, Chase Kernan and Jack Boyle were crucial,” he recounted. “The team executed several advanced plays, such as a rundown between first and second base and catching several runners stealing bases.” The second game – scheduled for Saturday against Bubba Baseball Futures – was canceled due to rain, but it worked to the Knights’ advan-
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