Washington Wild Things
Founded in 1997
Washington, Pennsylvania
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Team Logo | 
Cap Insignia | |
| League affiliations |
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| Name |
- Washington Wild Things (2002-present)
- Canton Crocodiles (1997–2001)
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| Team Colors |
- Black, Red, White, Purple
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| Ballpark |
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| Championships |
- League titles: 1 (1997)
- Division titles: 4 (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)
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| Owner(s)/Operated By: Francine Williams |
| General Manager: Ross Vecchio |
| Manager: |
| Media: 95.3 WJPA-FM Washington Observer-Reporter |
| Website: washingtonwildthings.com |
The Washington Wild Things are a professional baseball team based in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The Wild Things are a member of the East Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2002 season to the present, the Wild Things have played their home games at CONSOL Energy Park.
[edit] History
From 1997 to 2001, the franchise played in Canton, Ohio, and was known as the Canton Crocodiles. The Crocodiles won the Frontier League championship in their inaugural year of 1997, defeating the Evansville Otters in the Championship Series. Canton broadcaster Tom Delamater authored a book about the championship season titled "Crocodiles Rock!"
The Wild Things reached the playoffs in each of their first six seasons, setting the Frontier League single-season win mark twice.
[edit] 2005 Highlights
- Frontier League Organization of the Year for third time in four years (02, 04, 05)
- Second team in Frontier League history to make playoffs four straight years (Evansville 1997–2000)
- 35–12 second half of season (Since July 18th)
- 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)
- Led Frontier League in wins four straight seasons
- 2002 (56 – 28)
- 2003 (54 – 34)
- 2004 (62 – 34)
- 2005 (63 – 32)
- Set Frontier League record for wins in a season.
- Hosted the League All Star Game
[edit] 2005 Set New Frontier League Records in the Following
- 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)
- Wild Things pitchers led league in saves each of four seasons
- 2002 Robert Garvin 18 Saves
- 2003 Anthony Kozol 16 Saves
- 2004 B.J. Borsa 19 Saves
- 2005 Jim Popp 17 Saves
[edit] Managers
2002-2003: Jeff Isom (110-62)
2004-2007: John Massarelli (239-143)
2008: Greg Jelks (48-48)
2009: Mark Mason (43-53)
Following the 2003 season Jeff Isom resigned as Mananger 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 the Lake Erie History.
Greg Jelks was named the new manager of the Wild Things and he failed to lead them to the playoffs and finished the season at 48-48.
Mark Mason returned to the Wild Things 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, leaving the Wild Things without a manager.
[edit] Championships
Since moving to Washington, the Wild Things have played in two championships. The first was in 2002, their first season, which the lost to the Richmond Roosters. The second series was in 2007. They played the Windy City ThunderBolts. The Wild Things took an early two games to none lead. They then lost the next three games and the series.
[edit] Seasons
| Canton Crocodiles (Frontier League) |
| Year | W-L | PCT | Place | Postseason |
| 1997 | 45–35 | .562 | 2nd in FL East | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Johnstown Steal 2–0.
Won Frontier League Championship vs. Evansville Otters 2–0. |
| 1998 | 41–38 | .519 | 2nd in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Chillicothe Paints 2–1. |
| 1999 | 33–51 | .393 | 5th in FL East | |
| 2000 | 38–46 | .452 | 5th in FL East | |
| 2001 | 47–37 | .560 | 3rd in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff 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 | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Kalamazoo Kings 2–0.
Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Richmond Roosters 3–1. |
| 2003 | 54–34 | .614 | 2nd in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Gateway Grizzlies 2–0. |
| 2004 | 62–34 | .646 | 1st in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Evansville Otters 3–0. |
| 2005 | 63–32 | .663 | 1st in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Chillicothe Paints 3–2. |
| 2006 | 59–37 | .615 | 1st in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Chillicothe Paints 3–1. |
| 2007 | 55–40 | .579 | 1st in FL East | Won 1st Rd. Playoff vs. Gateway Grizzlies 3–0..
Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Windy City ThunderBolts 3–2. |
| 2008 | 48-48 | .500 | 3rd in FL East | | |
| 2009 | 43-53 | .448 | 4th in FL East | | |
| Washington | 440–306 | .600 | | |
| Playoffs | 9–17 | .346 | | 5 Division Titles, 6 Playoff Appearances, 0 Championships. |
For the first time in team history, in 2009 the Wildthings will have a losing season.
[edit] Official websites
