Washington Wild Things
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeagueFrontier League (West Division)
LocationWashington, Pennsylvania
BallparkWild Things Park
Founded1997
League championships1 (1997)
Division championships8 (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2018, 2021, 2022)
Former name(s)
  • Canton Crocodiles (1997–2001)
ColorsRed, black, white
     
Retired numbers12 (Chris Sidick)
OwnershipStu and Francine Williams
ManagerTom Vaeth
General ManagerSteve Zavacky (Managing Director)
MediaObserver–Reporter MSA Sports Network
Websitewww.washingtonwildthings.com

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 won the Frontier Cup in their inaugural season in 1997, defeating the Evansville Otters 2 games to 0.

Season-by-season record

Canton Crocodiles (Frontier League)
Year W–L Win % Place Postseason
1997 45–35 .562 2nd in FL East
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
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
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: Lost in 1st round to River City Rascals 2–1.
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
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
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
Total 714–606 .541
Playoffs 16–25 .390 7 Division titles, 10 Playoff appearances.

Current Roster

Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 31 Zach Blankenship
  • 23 Anthony Boix
  •  3 Kobe Foster
  •  8 Robert Gonzalez
  • 16 Christian James
  • 21 Spencer Johnston
  •  1 Stephen Knapp
  • 25 Kaleb McCullough ‡
  •  9 Andrew Mitchell
  • 13 Arrison Perez
  • 19 Hayden Shenefield
  • 33 Justin Showalter
  • 10 Lukas Young



 

Catchers

  • 27 Melvin Novoa
  • 11 JC Santini

Infielders

  • 28 Andrew Czech
  •  4 Scotty Dubrule
  •  2 Nick Gotta
  • 30 Tristan Peterson
  • 17 Abraham Sequera
  • 18 Ian Walters

Outfielders

  • 34 Anthony Brocato
  • 14 Brett Carson
  • 26 Robert Chayka
  •  6 Wagner Lagrange
  •  5 Harrsion Ray
 

Manager

  • Tom Vaeth

Coaches

  • Alex Boshers (pitching)
  • Ryan Whithorn (bench)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated June 6, 2023
Transactions

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

References