FL Washington Wild Things

Wild Things sweating the details

Published on May 13, 2004 under Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


With the first exhibition games of the season slated for tomorrow and the regular season opener just one week away, Washington Wild Things' first-year manager John Massarelli and his squad are in the fine tuning mode.

But going along with preparation is the coaching staff learning about their players and the players learning about their coach, and that is something that is a work in progress for Massarelli and his crew.

"I learn something different about this club everyday," said Massarelli. "I have to learn about how they will react and adjust in certain situations and how they deal with failure. That is the true test."

The day-night doubleheader exhibitions against the Chillicothe Paints will go a long way towards helping Massarelli and his players mesh. The largest concern at this point has been learning the traits of his pitching staff.

"The biggest thing is getting comfortable with the pitching staff and learning when they are struggling and fatiguing, when they are getting their second wind, and when they get over the hump," said Massarelli. "I need to learn all of the little idiosyncrasies."

According to Massarelli, that comfort will come with time, and with what he saw in practice today, he is confident in his crews' chances of continuing its winning tradition.

Matt McDonnell, who posted a 2.99 ERA in 16 starts for the Wild Things last season, impressed Massarelli today, throwing the ball well in the four inning intrasquad scrimmage.

It was also nice for the coaching staff to see newly acquired Bill Greenwell, who worked out with the club for the first time since being acquired from the Mid-Missouri Mavericks for pitchers Jason Elkins and Brian Dorsey. Greenwell led the Frontier League in RBI and batted .300 last season.

"It was good to see Bill Greenwell in the flesh," Massarelli said. "He will be a great asset to our club. He has a good line drive stroke, soft hands around the bag, and he'll fit nicely into the middle of our lineup."

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Frontier League Stories from May 13, 2004


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