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Home of the Wild Things
It’s always about baseball… and more than just baseball
By Ellen Diamond & Kathleen Smithnosky
The Washington Wild Things kicked off
their seventh season at CONSOL
Energy Park this May. The team has
been successful both on and off the field
during their brief tenure.
“We’ve met with huge success,” says the
team’s managing partner, John Swiatek of
Upper St. Clair. “I think this team has
surpassed everyone’s expectations. We’ve
operated the ballpark at over 100 percent
capacity each year. Our goal is to keep it fresh
and new, so we can continue to offer
affordable, family entertainment.”
The Wild Things have advanced to postseason
play each year since 2002, and are
among the top teams in the Frontier League,
which spans several states, including Illinois,
Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky,
as well as Pennsylvania.
“During our first year, Kent Tekulve, who
was the director of baseball operations,
summed our product up by saying that we
offer three hours of
entertainment, interrupted by
nine innings of baseball!” adds
Swiatek. “That’s really what
we’re all about…our fans
come to CONSOL Energy
Park to kick back, laugh and
enjoy the evening.”
The Wild Things
perform at about the same
level as affiliated Class A. In
addition, the Wild Things
offer special clubs: The Paw Patrol is for kids
14 years old and younger and the Silver
Sluggers is for big kids…aged 50 and over.
Members get tickets, food vouchers, special
promotional items, T-shirts, and they
get to either run or stroll the bases after
the game!
Fans visiting CONSOL Energy
Park see nine innings of competitive
baseball, plus water-balloon bashing
contests, ice cream eating contests, the
Wild Things’ own version of “Let’s
Make a Deal”, and people singing for
their supper. Fans also enjoy a great
outdoor party pavilion located on the
left field line. This party area includes
an all-you-can-eat buffet. Fans dine prior to
the game and then move to their reserved seats
for the game. CONSOL Energy Park also
features a unique party deck
with its own hot tub for fans
who want to watch the
game from the water!
CONSOL Energy Park features all the
amenities that a Major League Ballpark has
with one advantage…its size. The park is
extremely intimate; the least expensive seat
is a
mere 17 rows from the baseball diamond. The
seats are so close to the bases, you can smell
the leather!
Besides great food, great baseball, and
great entertainment, the Wild Things offer
affordable family fun…. the most expensive
ticket is $11. “Our mission is to provide an
affordable form of entertainment for
everyone,” added Swiatek.
Information about all the events at
CONSOL Energy Park is featured on the
team website at
www.washingtonwildthings.com.
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