1. First Properties Of The Carolinas
City: Fort Mill, NC
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (877) 751-0131
Address: 2222 Gold Hill Rd.
Description: Established in 1980, First Properties is a key player in the real estate market in Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, and Fort Mill. The firm has more than 30 agents and offers a relocation and referral service.
2. Charlotte Knights
City: Fort Mill, NC
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (704) 357-8071 (NC)
Address: 2280 Deerfield Dr.
Description: Minor-league baseball has been a Charlotte tradition for more than a century, bringing us numerous all-star selections, postseason berths, championships, and one trip to Las Vegas for the Triple-A World Series. The city’s history with hometown baseball dates to 1901 with the Charlotte Hornets, and includes such notable players as Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray, Ken Singleton, Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, and Brian Giles. The best name is Charlotte baseball history belongs to Drungo La Rue Hazewood, an outfielder for the Double-A Charlotte O’s in the late 1970s and early 1980s.The Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, have played at Knights Castle in Fort Mill since 1990. Though team officials hope to move to a new Uptown stadium, for now it’s a 12-mile drive down I-77 to exit 88. Knights Castle features 10,000 seats, the 250-seat Home Run Cafe overlooking the field, a 75-seat meeting room, and a Family Fun Zone with a carousel, minigolf, speed-pitch machine, rock-climbing wall, and playground. Adults can kick back in Lancelot Lounge; youngsters 12 and under can join the Knights Kids’ Club for T-shirts, autograph books, game tickets, birthday cards, and player meet-and-greets. The team’s season in the International League runs mid-April through early September, with 72 home games.The Knights hold many promotions, the most popular of which being fireworks shows after Sat home games. There are also Thirsty Thursdays, an annual train ride to play the Durham Bulls, and discounted tickets through Harris Teeter and Time Warner Cable. Kids love to chase foul balls and hug Homer the Dragon.Game time is generally 7 p.m. Mon through Sat and 2 p.m. Sun. There are occasional “business day specials” that provide early afternoon starts on weekdays.
3. Knights Stadium
City: Fort Mill, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (803) 548-8050 (SC)
Address: 2280 Deerfield Dr.
Description: Known locally as “Knights Castle,” this 10,002-seat stadium is home to the Charlotte Knights, the top minor-league farm team of the Chicago White Sox. Families, college kids, and the after-work crowd enjoy baseball games, two picnic areas, a playground, restaurant, mini-golf, beer garden, speed-pitch machine, and the humorous Knights mascot, Homer the Dragon.Knights Stadium draws its biggest crowds on evenings when a fireworks show is presented after the game. These occur frequently on Sat during the season, which runs from mid-April through early September. The largest crowd to ever watch a game at the castle was July 4, 2008, when 15,591 showed up for a game and fireworks. There are grass banks down the left field and right field sides of the stadium that accommodate overflow crowds.The Home Run Café, located on the second level behind home plate, is a great spot to watch a game while enjoying a meal and beverage, and it can be rented throughout the year for special functions. The Knights have also launched a new initiative called “Field of Dreams,” which allows groups to rent the field and hold their own softball game on the diamond.Game tickets range from $6 to $10.