Mason joins the Revolution

The Wild Things will have a new manager - their fourth in as many years - when the 2010 Frontier League season begins.

It was announced today that Mark Mason is leaving the Wild Things to become the pitching coach for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League. Mason started his pro coaching career in the Atlantic League with the Atlantic City Surf in 2001.

Mason guided the Wild Things to a 43-53 record and fourth-place finish in the East Division last season. A Waynesburg University and Canon-McMillan High School product, Mason managed four seasons in the Frontier League, two with the Chillicothe Paints (2007-08) and one with the Ohio Valley Redcoats (2005). While with Ohio Valley, one of Mason's pitchers was Chris Jakubauskas, who was was picked up on waivers Friday by the Pittsburgh Pirates after winning six games last season for the Seattle Mariners.

Mason also spent four seasons (2002-04 and 2006) as an assistant coach with the Wild Things and is a former head coach at Washington & Jefferson College.

Mason followed Greg Jelks (2008), John Massarelli (2004-07) and Jeff Isom (2002-03) as Wild Things managers.

York had a 53-87 record last year and its 4.88 ERA was second-worst in the league. York's manager is former Baltimore Orioles catcher manager Andy Etchebarren.

No turf until 2011 season

There will be at least one more season of baseball on grass at Consol Energy Park.

The Wild Things have decided not to have a synthetic playing surface installed this winter and will wait until the end of the 2010 Frontier League season to make the switch to the fake stuff.

This doesn't come as a surprise when you consider that, when the 2009 season ended, the organization didn't have plans finalized for payment of the turf. The money that comes from the hotel tax is spread over a 10-year period. From what I was told, the Wild Things have three years to use the money from the state grant that was earmarked for new turf.

From Frontier League to the Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move Friday, dropping pitcher Jeff Karstens from the 40-man to add right-handed pitcher Chris Jakubauskas, pictured, who spent much of last season with the Seattle Mariners.

You might recall that Jakubauskas spent three years in the Frontier League – two with Florence and one with Ohio Valley where his manager was Mark Mason.

Karstens was 4-6 with a 5.42 ERA with the Pirates last season. He was acquired from the Yankees in 2008. Jakubauskas was 6-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 35 games after unexpectedly making the majors at age 30.

Avon calling: A taxing problem

Here's a link to a story about the city of Avon trying to get tax exempt status for 2009 for All Pro Freight Stadium, home of the Lake Erie Crushers.

According to the story, the city received a partial tax refund last year for the ballpark and the surrounding recreational complex and the state approved an exemption for 2009. However, there are questions as to whether the city misled the state on its prior application. Avon has field an amended application for 2009.

Here's the problem: The Ohio Revised Code exempts such a stadium from taxes if it is "used by a major league professional athletic team or a class A to class AAA minor league affiliate of a major league baseball team for a significant portion of its home schedule." The Crushers obviously are not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

According to Avon's mayor, tax exempt status for the ballpark will save the city $18,000 to $20,000 a year.

Read the story here.

Option plays

According to the Frontier League web site, The Wild Things have picked up 2010 contract options on the following players: OF Jacob Dempsey (pictured), C Josh Eachues, RHP Justin Edwards, RHP Zach Groh, RHP Aaron Guinn, RHP Rob Hedrick, LHP Chris Ingoglia, OF Phil Laurent, RHP Michael Lucas, RHP Brian McCullough, RHP Keith Meyer, LHP Jason Neitz, C Keith Obal, INF Michael Parker, RHP Nick Peterson, INF Chris Raniere, C Alan Robbins, C Kris Rochelle, RHP Andy Schindling, OF Chris Sidick, RHP Jace Smith, LHP Craig Snipp and OF Matt Sutton.

This is basically anyone who wore a Wild Things uniform last year and was either on the active roster, retired list or injured reserve at season's end. The one surprising name was pitcher Jace Smith, who was put on the DL and then retired during the first week of the season. He didn't appear in a game all year.

If you eliminate the aged-out players and the releases of Michael Darrah, Chris Kupillas and Josh Blackstock that were announced in September, there is one player who has not appeared on any list: outfielder Ryan Groth, who was acquired in the Ernie Banks trade. Groth batted .215 in 24 games with Washington.

Change that bookmark

Because "Wild about Things" was changed from Blogger's server to the Observer-Reporter's server Monday, you might have to create a new bookmark for the blog. Make sure you bookmark:

http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/wildaboutthings/

Unbalanced schedule

The first pitch is months away from being thrown in the Frontier League and already the Wild Things, Kalamazoo Kings, Traverse City Beach Bums, Windy City ThunderBolts and Oakland County Cruisers are starting in hole. The Lake Erie Crushers released their schedule today and included was this interesting nugget: The Crushers will play three more home games than other teams in the division. The Crushers make only one trip to Oakland County all season and host the Cruisers for three series. Lake Erie has 51 home games. The Wild Things will play 48 at home.