Washington Wild Things
The Washington 'Wild Things are a professional baseball team based in Washington, Pennsylvania. The Wild Things compete in the Frontier League as a member of the Central Division in the Midwest Conference. The team is owned by Stu and Francine Williams, and initially played its home games at the Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton, Ohio, before moving to EQT Park in Washington, Pennsylvania, in 2002.
The franchise was founded in 1997 as an expansion team as the Canton Crocodiles', and have won their only Frontier Cup in history during their inaugural season. They have the most playoff appearances in all Frontier League teams, with 15 since their founding, including nine division championships.
Season-by-season record
Current roster
Highlights
- First ever perfect game in Frontier League history,
- Frontier League Organization of the Year Award
- Second team in Frontier League history to make playoffs four straight years
- Led Frontier League in wins four straight seasons
- * 2002
- * 2003
- * 2004
- * 2005
- In 2005:
- * 35–12 second half of season
- * 23–5 the month of August
- * 13-game winning streak
- * 11-game winning streak
- * 14 straight home wins
- Hosted the Frontier League All-Star Game in 2005 and 2013
New Frontier League records up to 2005
- Only perfect game in Frontier League history
- Wins in a season: 63
- Triples: 46
- Runs: 645
- At Bats: 3,357
- Hits: 999
- RBI: 567
- Base on Balls: 433
- Saves: 34
- Total chances: 3740
- Individual saves by a closer, Jonathan Kountis
Managers
- 2002–2003: Jeff Isom
- 2004–2007: John Massarelli
- 2008: Greg Jelks
- 2009: Mark Mason
- 2010–2011: Darin Everson
- 2012: Chris Bando
- 2013–2014: Bart Zeller
- 2014–2015: Bob Bozzuto:
- 2016–2020: Gregg Langbehn:
- 2021– : Tom Vaeth:
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
- Kalen DeBoer
- Vidal Nuño
- Chris Smith
- Zac Grotz
- Pat McAfee
- James Meeker
- Chris Kwitzer
- Rob Whalen
- Isaac Mattson
- Alex Carrillo
- Brandon McIlwain
Championships and awards
- 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
- 2024 Frontier League West Division Champions
- 2024 Caleb McNeely, Most Valuable Player