The Washington Wild Things are a professional baseball team based in Washington, Pennsylvania The team competes in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the Central Division in the Midwest Conference, and is owned by Stu and Francine Williams. They play their home games at Wild Things Park, a 3,200-seat stadium built 30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh.
| Washington Wild Things | |||||
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| Information | |||||
| League | Frontier League (Central Division) | ||||
| Location | Washington, Pennsylvania | ||||
| Ballpark | Wild Things Park | ||||
| Founded | 1997 | ||||
| League championships | 1 (1997) | ||||
| Division championships | 9 (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2024) | ||||
| Former name(s) |
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| Colors | Red, black, white | ||||
| Playoff berths |
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| Retired numbers | 12 (Chris Sidick) | ||||
| Ownership | Stu and Francine Williams | ||||
| Manager | Tom Vaeth | ||||
| General Manager | Steve Zavacky (Managing Director) | ||||
| Media | Observer–Reporter MSA Sports Network | ||||
| Website | www | ||||
The Wild Things franchise won the Frontier Cup in their inaugural season in 1997 (as the Canton Crocodiles), defeating the Evansville Otters 2 games to 0.
Season-by-season record
edit| Canton Crocodiles (Frontier League) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | W–L | Win % | Place | Postseason |
| 1997 | 45–35 | .562 | 2nd in FL East |
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| 1998 | 41–38 | .519 | 2nd in FL East | Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 2–1. |
| 1999 | 33–51 | .393 | 5th in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2000 | 38–46 | .452 | 5th in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2001 | 47–37 | .560 | 3rd in FL East | Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 2–1. |
| Total | 204–207 | .496 | — | |
| Playoffs | 6–4 | .600 | — | 3 Playoff appearances, 1 championship. |
| Washington Wild Things (Frontier League) | ||||
| 2002 | 56–28 | .667 | 1st in FL East |
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| 2003 | 54–34 | .614 | 2nd in FL East | Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Gateway Grizzlies 2–0. |
| 2004 | 62–34 | .646 | 1st in FL East | Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Evansville Otters 3–0. |
| 2005 | 63–32 | .663 | 1st in FL East | Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 3–2. |
| 2006 | 59–37 | .615 | 1st in FL East | Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 3–1. |
| 2007 | 55–40 | .579 | 1st in FL East |
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| 2008 | 48–48 | .500 | 3rd in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 43–53 | .448 | 4th in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 38–57 | .400 | 5th in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 42–52 | .447 | 5th in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2012 | 44–52 | .458 | 6th in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2013 | 41–55 | .427 | 6th in FL East | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | 57–39 | .593 | 3rd in FL East | Frontier League Playoffs: Defeated Evansville Otters in wildcard game. Lost in 2nd round to River City Rascals 2–0. |
| 2015 | 42–54 | .437 | T-9th in FL | Did not qualify |
| 2016 | 46–49 | .484 | 6th in FL | Did not qualify |
| 2017 | 53–43 | .552 | 3rd in FL | Frontier League Playoffs: Lost in 1st round to Florence Freedom 3–1. |
| 2018 | 54–42 | .563 | 1st in FL East |
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| 2019 | 37-59 | .385 | 5th in FL | Did not qualify |
| 2020 | -- | -- | -- | Season not played due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | 56-40 | .583 | 1st in FL |
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| 2022 | 62-34 | .646 | 1st in FL West | Frontier League Division Series: Lost to Schaumburg Boomers 2–0. |
| 2023 | 47-49 | .490 | 4th in FL | Did not qualify |
| 2024 | 67-28 | .705 | 1st in FL West | Frontier League Division Series: Defeated Lake Erie Crushers 2–0. Frontier League Championship Series: Lost to Quebec Capitales 3–1. |
| Total | 781–634 | .541 | — | |
| Playoffs | 16–25 | .390 | — | 8 Division titles, 12 Playoff appearances. |
Current roster
edit| Active roster | Coaches/Other | |||
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Pitchers
Utility players
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Highlights
edit- First ever perfect game in Frontier League history, (Matt Sergey, August 24, 2014)
- Frontier League Organization of the Year Award (2002, 2004, 2005)
- Second team in Frontier League history to make playoffs four straight years (Evansville, 1997–2000)
- Led Frontier League in wins four straight seasons
- 2002 (56–28)
- 2003 (54–34)
- 2004 (62–34)
- 2005 (63–32)
- In 2005:
- 35–12 second half of season (Since July 18)
- 23–5 the month of August
- 13-game winning streak (July 27 – August 9)
- 11-game winning streak (August 12 – August 23)
- 14 straight home wins (August 3 – August 23)
- Hosted the Frontier League All-Star Game in 2005 and 2013
New Frontier League records up to 2005
edit- Only perfect game in Frontier League history (August 24, 2014, thrown by Matt Sergey)
- Wins in a season: 63 (old record – Washington Wild Things, 2004)
- Triples: 46 (old record – 33; Springfield, 1999)
- Runs: 645 (old record – 612; London, 1999)
- At Bats: 3,357 (old record – 3329; Rockford, 2004)
- Hits: 999 (old record – 962; Rockford, 2004)
- RBI: 567 (old record – 550; London, 1999)
- Base on Balls: 433 (old record – 427; Dubois County, 2002)
- Saves: 34 (old record – Washington Wild Things, 2004)
- Total chances: 3740 (old record – 3,687; S/O 2004)
- Individual saves by a closer, Jonathan Kountis
Managers
edit- 2002–2003: Jeff Isom (110–62)
- 2004–2007: John Massarelli (239–143)
- 2008: Greg Jelks (48–48)
- 2009: Mark Mason (43–53)
- 2010–2011: Darin Everson (80–110)
- 2012: Chris Bando (44–52)
- 2013–2014: Bart Zeller (72–74)
- 2014: Bob Bozzuto: (36–18)
Following the 2003 season, Jeff Isom resigned as manager and moved to the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League. After the 2007 season, Massarelli and the Wild Things parted ways. He took 2008 off and was named the first manager in Lake Erie Crushers history. In 2008, Greg Jelks was named the new manager of the Wild Things, but failed to lead them to the playoffs and finished the season at 48–48.
Mark Mason returned to the Wild Things in 2009 as manager after coaching the Paints for two seasons. In November 2009, Mason left the Wild Things to become pitching coach of the Atlantic League's York Revolution. On February 16, 2010, they announced Darin Everson as their new manager. After the 2011 season, Darin Everson and the Wild Things parted ways following an 80–110 record over two seasons. On October 18, 2011, the Wild Things hired former MLB catcher and Triple-A coach Chris Bando as the 6th manager in Wild things history. In March 2013, Bando announced that due to complications from hip surgery in January he would resign as manager. Recently hired Bench coach Bart Zeller, who had managed the Joliet Slammers the last two seasons and won a championship, was promoted to manager. During the 2014 season at 31–19 headed into the All-Star break, manager Bart Zeller resigned due to health concerns. He was scheduled to manage the Eastern All-Stars. After the break, Bob Bozzuto took over as manager.
Notable alumni
edit- Kalen DeBoer (1998)
- Vidal Nuño (2011)
- Chris Smith (2011–2012)
- Zac Grotz (2016)
- Pat McAfee (2018)
- James Meeker (2018–2021)
- Chris Kwitzer (2020)
- Rob Whalen (2021–2022)
- Isaac Mattson (2022)
- Brandon McIlwain (2024–present)
Championships and awards
edit- 2002 Frontier League Eastern Division Champions
- 2002 Frontier League Organization of the Year
- 2002 Jared Howton, Most Valuable Pitcher
- 2002 Jeff Isom, Manager Of the Year
- 2003 Josh Loggins, Most Valuable Player
- 2004 Frontier League Eastern Division Champions
- 2004 Frontier League Organization of the Year
- 2004 John Massarelli, Manager Of the Year
- 2005 Frontier League Eastern Division Champions
- 2005 Frontier League Organization of the Year
- 2006 Frontier League Eastern Division Champions
- 2006 John Massarelli, Manager Of the Year
- 2007 Frontier League Eastern Division Champions
- 2018 Frontier League Eastern Division Champions
- 2021 Frontier League Eastern Division Champions
- 2022 Frontier League West Division Champions
