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Wednesday, May 29, 2002

By Pohla Smith, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Four years after a citizens group decided to seek a minor-league team for Washington, Pa., the Washington Wild Things open their inaugural season tonight against Frontier League rival Canton.

	More on the Washington Wild Things: THE FIRST GAME Game: Canton Coyotes vs. Washington Wild Things in the inaugural game for the Wild Things When: 7: 05 p.m. Tickets: Sold out Where: Falconi Field, I-70 Exit 15, North Franklin Township, Washington County Of note: The Wild Things are a member of the independent Frontier League. ... Gov. Mark Schweiker will throw out the first pitch. Related article Wild Pitch for the Wild Things How much support can Washington's Frontier League team field?

Yesterday, workers were putting finishing touches on flower beds at the new Falconi Field, located off I-70 Exit 15 in North Franklin Township. General Manager Ross Vecchio said everything but a picnic area and a field-level hot tub available for fan rentals will be ready for a sold-out crowd of about 3,500.

Though spring training was a mere two weeks, Manager Jeff Isom said the 22 young players on the roster (maximum age is 27) were confident after winning two exhibitions over the weekend against the Johnstown Johnnies, another Frontier League team.

"Unfortunately exhibition games don't count," Isom said.

The starting pitcher for the Wild Things will be Matt Baber, a right-hander who last season had the second-best ERA in the Frontier League (2.33). He played for the former Canton Crocodiles, the team that became the Wild Things.

"He comes right at you," Isom said. "He doesn't mess around. He doesn't throw curveballs. He throws fastballs."

The Frontier League, an independent association, uses both wooden bats and a designated hitter. Tonight, Isom said the DH probably would be Tony Taylor, a rookie who last played for the University of Louisville.

Isom said the leadoff batter probably would be second baseman Mike Check, followed by center fielder Casey Stone, left fielder Tony Cuervo, a Weirton, W.Va., native, and, in the cleanup spot, first baseman Travis Copley.

The rest of the order: right fielder Lee Morrison, third baseman Chad Ehrnsberger, Taylor, either Bridgeville native Brad Hensler or Allen Clay at shortstop, and, in the ninth spot, catcher Shaun Argento.

Isom said he expects Brett Giodrone, a left-hander from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, to be his stopper.

"He's a Kent Tekulve-type pitcher," Isom said. "He's not a great fastball pitcher. He hides the ball enough in a funky way to get people out. He has a good sinking fastball. He gets ground balls. The way this ballpark plays, that's what you need."