206 days until opening day
The Wild Things released their 2010 schedule today. For the third year in a row, Washington will open the season at home, but if the Wild Things return to the Frontier League playoffs for the first time since 2007, then they'll likely clinch a postseason spot while away from Consol Energy Park.Washington opens the season Friday, May 21 against the Oakland County Cruisers (formerly the Midwest Sliders) at Consol Energy Park.
Washington ends the season with a nine-game road trip, Aug. 27-Sept. 5 at Windy City, Lake Erie and Traverse City. The home finale is Aug. 26 against Lake Erie. Washington also plays nine consecutive road games in July - at Evansville, Florence and Oakland County - but that's broken up by a four-day all-star break.
The home schedule includes a July 4 game against the Florence Freedom, eight Friday nights, seven Saturday nights (one less than in 2009) and eight Sundays.
The schedule offers some brutal traveling for the Wild Things. For example: Washington plays at the Gateway Grizzlies June 1-3, then return home for a series against the River City Rascals June 4-6. That's 565 miles without a travel day. Then, after playing Gateway at home June 8-10, the Wild Things play River City in O'Fallon, Mo., the next night. That's a 605-mile overnight trip. The night after finishing the series at River City, Washington is at Lake Erie for a series. That's another 570 miles without a travel day.
Look at the schedule 2010 schedule and you'll wonder why Washington isn't playing at River City June 4-6 and at home against the Rascals June 11-13.
posted by Chris Dugan at
3:16 PM
14 Comments:
Chris:
What is the latest word on the taxpayer turf?
ALL TEAMS submitt a priority list of dates for home games to the league prior to scheduling.
Once again, by not knowing what is going on in the community or really caring for that matter, they will have scheduling conflicts with the PONY world series and the Washington County Fair. I'm sure that will help their attendance in 2010.
In addition, it's obvious this ownership group does not have the clout with the league that it once had when it comes to scheduling. Washington is no longer the fair hair child but more the red headed step child.
Anon (5:19 am)--both the Washington Wild Things and the Frontier League office were fully aware of the PONY League World Series.
From Tournaments, Incorporated standpoint, WWT playing at home opening weekend of the World Series is not an issue. We would prefer that they not be here at the end of the Series, as has been the case most of the time over the 8 years of Wild Things baseball. This year, that doesn't happen to be the case.
I think the conflict with the Fair is far more impactful. Not only are the Wild Things home for the opening weekend, but also T-W-Th of Fair week, that includes Wednesday--High School Band & Bus Demo Derby.
If the Wild Things are going to spin the turnstiles this year, they better get off to a great start. There are only 21 home games after July 4th (63 days).
From what I've seen, judging by past years, the Pony series and the fair have little to no impact on WT attendance. From what I can tell, WT seem to draw better in August than in June. Seems to be a different crowd that goes to those events as opposed to WT crowds.
There is a sizable group of folks who are regulars at Wild Things games who never miss PONY World Series action.
We've talked about that for a number of years and they've always said that they'll not miss the World Series.
in early June kids are still in school.
I disagree with Bob about the 1st weekend not being a conflict with the PONY World Series. The Washigton Pony team is usually out of the tournament after playing 3 games, which means more local people attend early than late.
Also, if the FL and the Wild Things knew the dates for the PONY World Series, why was there not an exception made? There are exceptions made for other teams in the league.
Like the above Anon said, the ownership group does not have the clout with the league anymore.
"I disagree with Bob about the 1st weekend not being a conflict with the PONY World Series. The Washigton Pony team is usually out of the tournament after playing 3 games, which means more local people attend early than late."
I said, from Tournaments, Inc. standpoint, EARLY PLWS attendance is not affected by the Wild Things being in town. Washington's participation in those early games certainly draws people to Lew Hays PONY Field.
You misread what I was saying.
The World Series definitely impacts WT attendance EARLY in the World Series. Later in the week, it all depends on how the Washington team is doing.
PONY League???...Little League is King!!!
To answer Natural Grass' question, from what I've been told work on the turf could start next week, though I'll believe it when I see it.
As for attendance at Wild Things games on the same nights as the Pony League World Series and Washington County Fair, I haven't noticed any dropoff. The Wild Things draw their biggest crowds from the final week in July until school starts. They played three games this past season opposite the PLWS and twice drew more than 3,400, which were two of their biggest crowds. There might be some dropoff opposite a Steelers preseason game. There is definitely a noticeable dropoff when the Wild Things are home opposite a Penguins playoff game. This, of course, only happens deep into the postseason.
So, who REALLY cares about the PONY League? Or, who REALLY cares about the turf issue. Bob Gregg only cares about the PONY League crap because he is in it up to his nose! We also have Mr. Gregg's involvement in the turf thing.
Mr. Gregg is the Washington, PA version of Barack Obama - it's ALL ABOUT HIM!!
Ken
And who really cares what Ken thinks?
Who really cares what anybody thinks?
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