The New England Knights Baseball Club was formed to help prepare ball players for their Middle, High School and Collegiate careers with coaching and guidance from highly successful former players and coaches. With the New England Knights staff, the DK Academy and Parisi Speed School staff, we have assembled superior resources for player evaluation, player development and collegiate placement.

 NEW ENGLAND KNIGHTS MISSION 

The New England Knights want to give each athlete every opportunity to pursue short and long term baseball goals. We believe the effort, dedication, and commitment required for baseball prepares young men for lifelong success. We will provide a rich environment for learning and through this immersion anticipate improvement in all facets of each player’s game.

MIKE CHURCH

Mike's passion is helping see players increase their love and skill sets of baseball and softball.  Helping players understanding the value of having a relentless work ethic coupled with possessing great character is what motivates him to deliver the best service possible to the baseball and softball community.

Mike has had the privilege and opportunity to have been a part of many wonderful baseball opportunities  as a player, coach, manager, and front office executive including:

• 2x presenter at the World Baseball Coaches' Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT
• Director of Player Procurement and Baseball Operations, Bridgeport Bluefish, Atlantic League
• Manager and Dir. of Baseball Operations, New Haven County Cutters, Can Am League of Professional Baseball,  2004 - 07
• USA Baseball Director, New England for North Atlantic NTIS  from 2011 – 2014
• Selected to manage 2006 Can-Am League /American Assoc All-Star Game in El Paso, TX
• Northern League All-Star Catcher, 2001, Two-time Northern League Champion w/Adirondack -Lumberjacks in 2000 and New Jersey Jackals in 2001, New Jersey Jackals 5th Anniversary All-Star Team, 2002.
• Played professionally from 1995-2001
• Asst Baseball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, Central Connecticut State University, 1995-1999
• All-ECAC Catcher at Central Connecticut State University with B.A. English
• Catcher, NECBL's Inaugural All-Star Game at Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT and NECBL inaugural 10th -Player Award Winner and All-Star Game selection, 1994
• Played against Cuban Jr National Team on CT All-Star Team at Municipal Stadium, Waterbury 
• Appeared in ESPN Baseball Miniseries, "The Bronx is Burning"
• Played in ESPN CLASSIC 1940's era vintage game in Birmingham, AL
• Mike lives in Berlin, CT  with his wife and daughter

GENE GENTILE

• Long time minor league player and minor league coach with multiple organizations
• Originally drafted at age 17 by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization out of Taylor Allderdice HS in Pittsburgh, PA
• Hit a 3-run HR on the first pitch of his first major league at bat in the spring of 1983 with the Boston Red Sox
• 1-1 lifetime vs Nolan Ryan with 2 RBI’s
• Patrolled the outfield for the Bristol Red Sox during the 1980 and 1981 seasons and for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 1982 and 1983
• Coached in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization after his playing days
• Coached the Bristol American Legion team for several years in the 90’s after moving to CT
• Led the City league in hits, steals, HR’s and batting average his senior year, City league Champions in 1976
• Gene is a proud grandfather living in Bristol, CT with his wife and has 2 adult daughters

JOHN MORRELL

• Pitching Coach for West Haven Sailors of CCCBL, 2016-2021
• National Championship winner with Eastern Connecticut State University 
• Has coached in youth and collegiate leagues for the last 25 seasons
• Pitched 4 years collegiately at ECSU
• Former Hurricane was an All State HS Baseball and Basketball player at New Britain HS

AJ PIETRAFESA

• 2024 All-American from Mass Maritime Academy
• Single Season Hits Record Holder at Mass Maritime Academy
• National leader in average, slugging, OPS, OBP and WRC+
• D3 Baseball third team All American 
• All Region II 2nd Team in 2024
• All Region II Defensive Award at 1st Base
• 1st Team MASCAC All Conference

CHRIS SAWYER

• Played 8 years of minor league baseball in Sioux City, IA, Pittsfield, MA, and Quebec City, Canada
• Played 4 years collegiately as a Hatter at Stetson University
• American Legion Baseball Runner Up in National Championship
• Head Softball Coach, Lewis Mills HS 2017-present
• Longtime fastpitch travel coach
• Former Hornet was an All State HS Baseball and Football player at East Hartford High

JOHN VARRONE

• Graduated from University of Connecticut with a major in sports management
• Baseball Operations Director for Cal Ripken Baseball in Aberdeen, MD as instructor, coach, and tournament official
• New York Yankees , 2011,  John worked in player development and scouting with the Yankees in Tampa, FL
• 3 year letter winner at Seymour high school as starting catcher and served as captain senior year
• Played 1 year at DI University of Connecticut as a catcher
• President of UCONN club baseball team played where he played for following 3 seasons
• Lead the NCBA Division II in average, doubles, and RBI's in 2009
• Head coach, 14U team New England in USA Baseball NTIS North Atlantic Championships, 2012
• Head coach of USA Baseball NTIS 14U Capital Region Final Championship Team, 2012
• Coach of 16/17u team New England is USA Baseball NTIS North Atlantic Championship, 2012
• John lives with his wife and son in Southington, CT

JARED ZIMA

• General Manager of the New England Knights Baseball Organization
• 4 year letter winner at Post University
• Graduated with a  degree in Finance and MBA  in Marketing
• Played baseball and wrestled at Berlin HS
• Catcher and 1B  that trained with Diamond Kings and played with NE Knights since 7
• Owner of Zima Glove Care and www.ReliefWax.com which he started in 2020 to help those athletes battling with stress and anxiety on  the ballfield."
• Jared is a great teammate and is well respected by all of the guys in our program. He has great baseball IQ and great instincts on the field. His defense and offensive performance were major factors in our win vs AIC in 2020" - Ray Skjold, Head Baseball Coach, Post Univ

JORDAN ZIMA

• Currently a Wallingford Police Officer
• Former JV baseball coach, Avon HS
• 4 year letter winner Elms College
• All time Hits and RBI leader at Elms College
• 2x New England Collegiate Conference All-Conference selection
• East Coast Athletic Conference All-Star
• Graduated with a  degree in Accounting
• Played baseball and wrestled at Berlin HS