Washington Wild Things Explained

Washington Wild Things
Founded:1997
City:Washington, Pennsylvania
Ballpark:Wild Things Park
Cap Logo:WildThingscap.png
League:Frontier League
Division:West Division
Former Names:
  • Canton Crocodiles (1997–2001)
Retired Numbers:12 (Chris Sidick)
Colors:Red, black, white
League Champs:1 (1997)
Division Champs:8 (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2018, 2021, 2022)
Owner:Stu and Francine Williams
General Manager:Steve Zavacky (Managing Director)
Manager:Tom Vaeth
Media:Observer–ReporterMSA Sports Network

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 West Division, 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.

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

Canton Crocodiles (Frontier League)
Year W–L Win %Place Postseason
199745–35.5622nd in FL East
199841–38.5192nd in FL EastFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 2–1.
199933–51.3935th in FL EastDid not qualify
200038–46.4525th in FL EastDid not qualify
200147–37.5603rd in FL EastFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 2–1.
Total204–207.496
Playoffs6–4.6003 Playoff appearances, 1 championship.
Washington Wild Things (Frontier League)
200256–28.6671st in FL East
200354–34.6142nd in FL EastFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Gateway Grizzlies 2–0.
200462–34.6461st in FL EastFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Evansville Otters 3–0.
200563–32.6631st in FL EastFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 3–2.
200659–37.6151st in FL EastFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Chillicothe Paints 3–1.
200755–40.5791st in FL East
200848–48.5003rd in FL EastDid not qualify
200943–53.4484th in FL EastDid not qualify
201038–57.4005th in FL EastDid not qualify
201142–52.4475th in FL EastDid not qualify
201244–52.4586th in FL EastDid not qualify
201341–55.4276th in FL EastDid not qualify
201457–39.5933rd in FL EastFrontier League Playoffs: Lost in 1st round to River City Rascals 2–1.
201542–54.437T-9th in FLDid not qualify
201646–49.4846th in FLDid not qualify
201753–43.5523rd in FLFrontier League Playoffs: Lost in 1st round to Florence Freedom 3–1.
201854–42.5631st in FL East
201937-59.3855th in FLDid not qualify
2020------Season not played due to COVID-19
202156-40.5831st in FL
202262-34.6461st in FL WestFrontier League Division Series: Lost to Schaumburg Boomers 2–0.
47-49.4904th in FLDid not qualify
Total714–606.541
Playoffs16–25.3907 Division titles, 10 Playoff appearances.

Highlights

New Frontier League records up to 2005

Managers

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

Championships and awards