Knothole Gang Reunion and Community Open House will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Engel Stadium. The community is invited to join with former members of the famous Knothole Gang to celebrate the legacy of minor league baseball, Joe Engel and historic Engel Stadium. The Knothole Gang was created by Strang Nicklin in the 1920's and expanded by Joe Engel in order to teach local youth the importance of doing well in school, being a good neighbor and citizen. In return, members were given tickets to Lookouts baseball games. Please plan to attend in order to hear from members of the Knothole Gang, see the major renovations that have taken place at Engel Stadium and learn about the Engel Foundation. It will be a night of inspirational speakers, great baseball memories, food, fun and friends.
The third annual “Legends of the Game” baseball clinic, led by Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching coach Rick Honeycutt will be Sunday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at McCallie School. The event is sponsored by the Engel Foundation along with co-sponsors YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department, Dizzy Dean Baseball, the McCallie School, Bi-Lo, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Episode 49, Academy Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods and 100 Black Men of Chattanooga. This year’s clinic will honor the Knothole Gang, the popular youth baseball organization promoted by Joe Engel, former owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts. Part of the mission of the Engel Foundation is to perpetuate the legacy of Engel and the stadium which bears his name. Among those who will help Honeycutt with the clinic include Atlanta Braves pitcher Cory Gearrin; former major league pitcher Clay Parker; former major league outfielder Tim Costo; and veteran minor league manager and hitting coach Sal Rende. The skills-based clinic will feature hitting, fielding, base running and pitching for boys and girls ages six through 18. The clinic is free but space is limited.