Top 10 moments in Uptown to celebrate the Knights’ 10th season in Uptown
CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — For the past 10 years the Charlotte Knights have been making memories in Uptown. As they celebrate their 10th season in the heart of the city, we asked them to give us their top ten moments since they made the move from Fort Mill.
#10- Negro Leagues Night
It’s a tradition that started in 2014, the Knights first season in their new ballpark. It’s grown every year since.
“We couldn’t have launched it without Eddie GG Burton. This was a guy that was a former Negro Leagues player, lived here in Charlotte and was so passionate about baseball and the Negro Leagues and just telling that story,” said Tommy Viola, VP of Communications for the Knights.
#9- Fourth of July Games
Every July 4th with the Knights in Uptown has been one to remember. If you live in or around Charlotte, you know Truist Field is the place to be for Independence Day. The Knights put on the largest firework display in the Southeast.
#8- CLT hosts the 2014 Triple-A Championship
Not only did the Knights open their new ballpark in Uptown in 2014, they also hosted the Triple-A Championship. Almost 9,000 fans packed the stadium to watch the Ohama Storm Chasers beat the Pawtucket Redsox 4-2.
#7- Charlotte hosting the ACC Championship
Uptown has played host to the ACC Baseball Championship twice so far. First in 2021, then again in 2022. They’ll host them again this upcoming May.
“To have ACC baseball here is really special. It’s a week worth of baseball.15 games in one week. It’s a lot of fun and it’s coming up this May. So, I’m looking forward to that,” said Viola.
#6- The White Sox play the Knights in Charlotte
The parent club for the Knights has come to visit twice since they moved to Uptown for exhibition games. They played the Knights in 2015 and 2018, giving fans a taste of major league baseball in Uptown.
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#5- Charlotte O’s and Charlotte Hornets reunion in 2014
During the Knights first season in Uptown, they paid tribute to teams of years past by hosting reunions for the Charlotte Orioles and the Charlotte Hornets, both minor league teams that played in the area. They also gave a special nod to the Crockett family and Francis Crockett who brought baseball back to Charlotte in 1976 after they purchased the Asheville Orioles and moved them to Charlotte.
“I mean, there were just so many people that were here and it was the fans that we talked to that day that remembered baseball, remembered going to Crockett Park and that’s what really brought it full circle,” Viola said.
#4- 2016 Triple-A home run derby
The summer of 2016, Charlotte hosted the Triple-A Homerun Derby and All-Star Weekend. The Homerun derby saw local stars team up with participants. Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. won it all with outfielder Chris Marrero.
#3- 2016 Triple-A All-Star game
Following the HR Derby, Uptown played host to the Triple-A All-Star Game. The International League topped the Pacific League 4-2. 2019 was the last time the game was held but hasn’t returned since the pandemic.
#2- The Queen City Outdoor Classic- January 2024
The only non-baseball moment to crack the Top 10 comes in at number 2. Truist Field transformed into a winter wonderland with an ice hockey rink in the infield to host the Queen City Outdoor Classic. AHL teams the Charlotte Checkers and Rochester Americans facing off in front of a sell-out crowd. The Checkers won 5-2.
“Over 11,000 fans in this ballpark, it was unbelievable to see. I’m not the biggest hockey fan, but I loved hockey that night. I really did. It was just an amazing experience,” Viola said.
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#1- The Knights first game back in Charlotte
Of course the top spot, the Knights first game back in Charlotte on April 11, 2014. After years of legal battles and construction baseball, fans rejoiced in Uptown when the Knights took the field.
Former Charlotte Knight Jim Thome threw out the first pitch. “You have to pinch yourself in a way and say is this real?” said Viola. “It was special to see and then when the ballpark was sold out and seeing the fans come together, it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in minor league Baseball.”
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