Charlotte, NC, January 23, 2026
The Charlotte Knights have officially announced Chad Pinder as their new manager for the upcoming baseball season. The experienced Pinder, who has played in Major League Baseball for seven seasons, will lead the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, accompanied by a strong coaching staff. This leadership change sets the tone for the Knights’ twelfth season in Uptown Charlotte, which is set to include an exciting schedule of home games and significant events.
CHARLOTTE
Charlotte Knights Announce Chad Pinder as New Manager for 2026 Season
The Charlotte Knights have named Chad Pinder, 33, as their new manager for the upcoming 2026 baseball season. This significant leadership change for the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox was announced recently, setting the direction for the team’s twelfth campaign in Uptown Charlotte. Pinder will be joined on the coaching staff by Scott Aldred as Pitching Coach and Cam Seitzer as Hitting Coach, among other key personnel.
Pinder’s Path to Managerial Role
Chad Pinder brings a wealth of professional baseball experience to his new role with the Knights. Born on March 29, 1992, in Richmond, Virginia, Pinder had a notable career as a utility player in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics from 2016 to 2022. During his seven seasons in the big leagues, he participated in 553 games, recorded a career batting average of .242, hit 62 home runs, and accumulated 197 runs batted in. He was widely recognized for his versatility, having played every position on the field except catcher.
Pinder was a collegiate baseball standout at Virginia Tech, where he earned All-ACC First Team honors in 2013. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round, 71st overall, of the 2013 MLB Draft. After retiring from playing in May 2023, Pinder transitioned into coaching. His first managerial appointment came in 2025 with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the Chicago White Sox’ Single-A affiliate, where he guided the team to a 64-68 record in his debut season. Pinder has expressed that the opportunity to manage where he resides in Charlotte, coupled with his strong belief in continuous player development, makes this role particularly appealing.
Experienced Coaching Staff Joins Pinder
Supporting Manager Chad Pinder will be an experienced coaching team. Scott Aldred will return as the Pitching Coach for the Charlotte Knights, a role he has held since 2025. Aldred is a former MLB pitcher who played for several teams, including the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, during his career from 1990 to 2000. He possesses extensive minor league coaching experience, notably serving as a pitching coach for various teams within the New York Yankees organization, including their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Cam Seitzer will serve as the Hitting Coach for the Knights. Seitzer has a history with the Charlotte Knights, having been their hitting coach in 2023-2024, and spent 2025 as hitting coach for the Winston-Salem Dash. His professional baseball background also includes playing in the minor leagues from 2010 to 2018 and playing college baseball at the University of Oklahoma. He is the son of former MLB player and hitting coach, Kevin Seitzer. The full coaching staff for the 2026 season also includes Pat Listach as Bench Coach and Ángel Rosario as Catching/Development Coach.
Anticipating the 2026 Charlotte Knights Season
The 2026 season marks the Charlotte Knights’ twelfth season in Uptown Charlotte. The Triple-A schedule is set to feature 150 games, with 75 of those being home games played at Truist Field. The season will commence with Opening Knight on Friday, March 27, 2026, as the Knights host the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, for a three-game weekend series. The Knights are also scheduled to host the Memphis Redbirds, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, for the first time in an early-season homestand from April 7-12. Additionally, the team will welcome the Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, to Truist Field for a six-game interleague series from June 9-14, which will be the only interleague series of their 2026 season.
Charlotte’s Dynamic Sports Calendar in 2026
Beyond the baseball diamond, Charlotte is gearing up for a bustling sports year in 2026. The city is slated to host a variety of significant events, highlighting its vibrant athletic landscape. Banana Ball is scheduled to make its return to Charlotte in 2026. [cite: 5 in initial prompt] Additionally, the U.S. Men’s National Team will play in Charlotte in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [cite: 8 in initial prompt] The city will also honor a local legend with the retirement of Dell Curry’s No. 30 jersey by the Charlotte Hornets. [cite: 6 in initial prompt] Furthermore, outdoor college hockey is set to return to Truist Field. [cite: 9 in initial prompt] In a recent development illustrating the dynamic nature of sports scheduling, an NBA game between the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets on January 24, 2026, had its tipoff time adjusted to noon ET due to the anticipated impact of Winter Storm 2026 in the Carolinas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the latest news regarding the Charlotte Knights?
- The Charlotte Knights have named Chad Pinder, 33, as their new manager for the upcoming 2026 baseball season.
- Who are the other key coaching staff members for the Charlotte Knights in 2026?
- Joining Chad Pinder on the coaching staff will be Scott Aldred as Pitching Coach and Cam Seitzer as Hitting Coach. Pat Listach will serve as Bench Coach and Ángel Rosario as Catching/Development Coach.
- What is Chad Pinder’s background?
- Chad Pinder is a 33-year-old former MLB utility player for the Oakland Athletics from 2016 to 2022. He played in 553 big league games, had a career .242 batting average, and was known for his versatility. His first managerial role was with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in 2025.
- When does the Charlotte Knights’ 2026 season begin?
- The Charlotte Knights will begin their 2026 season with Opening Knight on Friday, March 27, 2026, at home against the Durham Bulls.
- What are some other notable sports events happening in Charlotte in 2026?
- Other significant sports events in Charlotte in 2026 include the return of Banana Ball, the U.S. Men’s National Team playing ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Charlotte Hornets retiring Dell Curry’s No. 30 jersey, and outdoor college hockey returning to Truist Field. [cite: 5, 6, 8, 9 in initial prompt]
Key Features of the Charlotte Knights’ 2026 Season and Leadership
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Manager | Chad Pinder |
| Manager’s Age | 33 |
| Pitching Coach | Scott Aldred |
| Hitting Coach | Cam Seitzer |
| Team | Charlotte Knights (Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) |
| Season Start Date | Friday, March 27, 2026 |
| Home Games (2026) | 75 |
| Total Games (2026) | 150 |
| Home Field | Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte |
Now Happening on X
- @WFAE (January 22, 2026, 10:15 AM) The Charlotte area is preparing for dangerous winter weather, with efforts including a mobile-friendly website version for power outages and CMS weighing school cancellations. View on X
- @USEmergAlerts (January 23, 2026, 12:44 AM) Motor vehicle accident reported at E Independence Blvd & Eastway Dr in Charlotte, with fire department on scene, unknown injuries, and traffic slowdown. View on X
- @NENA_Alerts (January 23, 2026, 12:46 AM) Fire department responding to a motor vehicle accident at E Independence Blvd & Eastway Dr in Charlotte, unknown injuries reported, causing traffic slowdown. View on X
- @CBJnewsroom (January 20, 2026, 2:20 PM) High-profile shootings and rising crime in uptown Charlotte have prompted multi-pronged public safety initiatives to improve perceptions and security. View on X
- @CBJnewsroom (January 16, 2026, 3:45 PM) Addressing crime spikes and shootings in Charlotte’s uptown through comprehensive efforts to enhance public safety and community confidence. View on X
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
