For minor league baseball teams, providing a positive fan experience is essential. Last week, the Washington Wild Things did just that as they defeated the Ottawa Titans, 3-2, in their home opener.
Jordan DiValerio was the starting pitcher and did not disappoint. DiValerio pitched six innings and gave up five hits and two runs. This is his second year in Washington: Before the Wild Things, he played in the Red Sox organization and made it up to High-A. With his performances, he could very well make it back with an MLB organization.
Wild Thing veteran Wagner Lagrange also had himself a game. He went three for four at the plate, with one of the hits being a solo home run in the fourth inning.
After Lagrange’s home run, the team was still down 2-1. But in the sixth inning, the Wild Things started to rally, and second baseman Sammy Infante hit a two-run single that gave them the lead.
Tommy Caufield, the team’s third baseman, cited the quality at-bats with runners in scoring position, as well as the strong outing from DiValerio and the bullpen.
“Our bats really came alive with guys on base,” Caufield said. “DiValerio did good with limiting their opportunities, and our bullpen shut them down.”
After DiValerio was pulled, the Wild Things relied on their bullpen to hold the lead. They brought in Jake Carroll for the seventh, Jackson Hicks for the eighth, and Joelvis Del Rosario to close the game out. Each threw a scoreless inning and secured the home opener win for the Wild Things.
The team hopes that getting that win in the home opener will prove to be a good omen for this season.
For team CEO Christine Blaine, the Washington Wild Things have been a staple of quality baseball in the Pittsburgh area since 2002. But she said the team has yet to get over the hump and win the Frontier League Championship Series.
“We’ve lost the championship series probably five times, and it’s heartbreaking,” Blaine said. “There are some of us who have been here who have said, ‘I’m not retiring until they win this.’ ”
Blaine explained the team’s meaning to the community and long-time fans.
“Our fans adore these kids. We have a meet-the-team picnic before we open the season every year, and we probably had 300 people in the picnic area, with pouring down rain, the last two years,” Blaine said.
Caufield’s outlook on this season is optimistic.
“I think the team looks pretty good. We have a lot of talent, we were strong last year, and I think we improved upon what we had,” Caufield said. “The new guys have really stepped up.”
The Wild Things play in the Frontier League, an independent league partnered with the MLB. Many players use the Frontier League as a stepping stone to MLB organizations.
The Wild Things have produced some major league talents over their existence. Former players who reached the major leagues last year include James Meeker (Brewers), Spencer Bivens (Giants), and Isaac Mattson (Pirates). Mattson and Bivens are still on MLB rosters, with Bivens playing a key role in San Francisco’s bullpen.
The Wild Things try to make sure that their home, the newly rebranded EQT Park, offers something for everyone, from first-time visitors through longtime fans, and from families with young kids through to senior citizens.
They host at least 48 home games a year, and every game has a promotion. Wednesdays offer both $1 hot dogs for everyone and free game tickets to everyone age 50 and older. Fridays are fireworks nights, and Sundays have special giveaways for kids.
Jon Fleeman, who lives near Morgantown, W. Va., went to the Washington Wild Things’ home opener last week. It was the first time he had seen the team.
“The atmosphere here … it’s pretty cool,” Fleeman said. “We had a good time, and the kids had fun. It’s a nice place up here.”
