Telegraph photo by TOM KING Silver Knights players donned their masks following a workout earlier this week at Holman Stadium.

NASHUA – It’s game time for the new manager.

The day first-year Nashua Silver Knights manager Kyle Jackson has been patiently waiting for is finally here.

“I’m excited, very excited,” he said, talking about tonight’s 10th season opener at Holman Stadium vs. North Shore, something which was on and off for months. “Just to get the community back into a place where something live is happening.

“To be part of an organization that is going to be the first (at Holman) to do it is an honor. I’m excited with the team we have and the chance to get back to some normality.”

Jackson, had filled in about nine times before as manager for previous longtime skipper B.J. Neverett during his six-year stint as pitching coach. That is a position now held by Ariel Ramos. Jeff Dupont is back as a bench coach, mainly for home games.

Jackson feels this year’s team, put together by him and general manager Cam Cook, is versatile.

There are about a dozen returnees from the 2019 team that lost to these same Navigators in the first round of the FCBL playoffs. Nashua, which has won four FCBL crowns in the league’s 10 years, haven’t won it all since 2017.

“Every outfielder can play every position, we have multiple catchers who can play first base or third base, the infield can rotate,” Jackson said. “I have no problem putting any of them at third, short or second.

“And the pitching staff, you have your hard throwers, your soft throwers, in-between, you have your junk throwers. Pretty much you have it all in one team, which is pretty hard to do.”

Jackson said he’s hoping to get four innings out of lefty starter Geoff Mosseau of Bedford (St. John’s). Then he will use four or five relievers, all on pitch count or innings limits. The rosters are larger this season and there are 21 pitchers.

Jackson has looked at the rosters around the league, which also includes besides tonight’s teams mainstays such as the Worcester Bravehearts, Brockton Rox, Westfield Starfires, and the new New Britain Bees. The Pittsfield Suns, saying they can’t make Wahconah Park pandemic-safe to their and that city’s satisfaction, are on hiatus for one year.

“The league is very talented,” Jackson said. “North Shore has a lot of talented lefties, part of the reason I’m throwing Mosseau. These guys want to win, they’re very competitive. I’m going to do what I can to put the best lineup against the other team.”

There are some good hitters returning from last year, including Northeastern junior outfielder Jared Dupere and Franklin Pierce catcher Dylan Jones.

The roster includes four recent high school grads (incoming freshmen), including Bishop Guertin grad first baseman Brett Anderson (University of Hartford bound). Other locals include infielder Nick Perkins (Endicott), plus pitchers Stephen McLendon (Babson sophomore) and Jordan Hiscoe (AIC senior). The latter two are Guertin grads.

Both Jackson and general manager Cam Cook said the players are ready to conform to all safety protocols necessary to be allowed to play.

“I think the kids are beginning to understand how big this is to be a part of,” Jackson said, “and how much scrutiny we’re going to be under.

“I’ve told the kids they’re going to be under a microscope, this league is going to be under a microscope. We’re the first (to play in New England).”

The key, Jackson said, will be what the players do away from Holman. Hopefully, he says, they will stay away from large gatherings, and avoid bars, etc.

“I said, ‘If you guys think you shouldn’t do it, then don’t do it’,” he said. “Don’t put yourself and the team in jeopardy. As a person, you’re responsible for the league.”

And now his official debut as manager is here.

“This has been a whirlwind of emotions,” Jackson said. “The field looks great and the kids are ready.”

And so is the manager.

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