Washington Wild Things

Independent baseball team
name = Washington Wild Things
founded = 1997
city = Washington, Pennsylvania

cap
current league = Frontier League
current division = East
past league =
currentname = Washington Wild Things (2002-present)
* Canton Crocodiles (1997–2001)
colors = Black, Red, White, Purple
color box|black color box|red color box|white color box|purple
ballpark = CONSOL Energy Park
pastparks =
leaguechamps = 1 (1997)
divisionchamps = 4 (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)
owner = John Swaitek
manager = Greg Jelks
gm = Ross Vecchio
media = [http://observer-reporter.com Washington Observer-Reporter]
website = http://www.washingtonwildthings.com 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.

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. The team's success has also gained them somewhat of a strong following in the area due to the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates in nearby Pittsburgh having struggled for several years.

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

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

easons

Official websites

* [http://www.washingtonwildthings.com/ Washington Wild Things]
* [http://www.frontierleague.com/ Frontier League]

Official websites

* [http://www.oursportscentral.com/sports/?t_id=964 Wild Things page at OurSports Central]