Don Knapp

Born in Louisiana in 1949, Don Knapp arrived in Australia in 1971 on a baseball sponsorship agreement. One year later Knapp travelled to Queensland as part of the Western Australia state team that played in the Claxton Shield, with his performance earning him the Helms Award. He served as the team captain for Western Australia from 1972–79, 1982–83, and 1985, winning the Claxton Shield on four more occasions (1977–79, 1985). In the late 1970s Knapp also represented the Australian national team at the 1978 World Championships, during the 1978–79 Korean tour of Australia, and for Australia’s tour to Korea and Japan in 1979.

Following his playing career Knapp became a noted baseball coach, including leading the Australian team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. One year earlier he was appointed the CEO of the Australian Baseball Federation, staying in the role for 12 years, which saw Australia win silver at the 2004 Athina Olympics. Knapp received multiple honours throughout his life for his contribution to baseball, including being inducted into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Baseball WA Hall of Fame in 2021.