Sens to honor the life of Jim Knight
Please join us WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 AT 5:00 PM as we celebrate the life of Helena umpire legend Jim Knight. We will be presenting the Third Annual Jim Knight Memorial Award to one of our Senators players.
Knight's son and current MLB umpire Brian Knight will present his father's namesake honor to a Helena Senators player who "best demonstrates integrity, sportsmanship, character, and Jim's passion for the game of baseball."
Knight was the home plate umpire for Jon Lester's no-hitter in 2008, and Josh Beckett's in 2014. He was the plate umpire in the deciding game 6 of the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Knight attended Capital High School in Helena and William Jewell College before enrolling in umpire school in 1995.
First pitch between the Helena Senators and the Bozeman Bucks is at 5:00 PM.
About Jim Knight
Post 2 of the American Legion and the Helena Senators celebrate the life of Jim Knight. Jim passed away August 12, 2021 after his 5-year battle with cancer. He became a familiar sight at the ballfields throughout Helena in his 32-year career as an official for ASA, American Legion, MLB Pioneer League, and the NAIA Frontier Conference. Jim was one of THE GREATEST supporters of all umpires, especially to those from the MLB minor leagues and American Legion baseball here at Kindrick Legion Field. Mr. Knight is also the father of current MLB umpire Brian Knight.
The Award
The Helena Senators will honor Mr. Knight with the Jim Knight Memorial Award. This award is voted on by the Helena umpire pool, led by former UIC Mike Taylor, and is presented to the player that best demonstrates integrity, sportsmanship, character, and Jim’s passion for the game of baseball.
The first Jim Knight Memorial Award was presented by Jim’s long time companion Candace Girvan and loved ones Jinny and Jim English. Jim’s sons, Brian and Kevin Knight and daughter, Kelly Todd, express their gratitude and congratulate the Jim Knight Memorial Award winner.
Award Winners
- 2024 - Brayden Beatty
- 2023 - Walker Bennett
- 2022 - Tyler Tenney
Jim Knight, who inspired son's career as MLB umpire, to be honored by Helena Senators
By Daniel Shepherd, 406mtsports
HELENA — Brian Knight has carried a piece of the Helena American Legion baseball program he was a member of growing up with him to every MLB park he’s worked in over the last year.
Knight, who said 2023 is his 29th year in professional baseball, is working on year No. 13 as a full-time MLB umpire. His father, Jim Knight, was a leader in the Helena community and spent a lifetime officiating ASA Softball, American Legion, Pioneer League, and Frontier Conference (and everything in between) games.
