Wild Things, WYB form partnership
Wild Things general manager Steve Zavacky, left, and Washington Youth Baseball president Rick Herrnberger stand by the Wild Things’ Volkswagen Beetle after announcing an agreement of a partnership between the two organizations.
Wild Things general manager Steve Zavacky, left, and Washington Youth Baseball president Rick Herrnberger shake hands after announcing an agreement of a partnership between the two organizations.
The Washington Wild Things and Washington Youth Baseball announced a partnership that will help both organizations better promote baseball in the area.
As part of the partnership, announced Wednesday, the Wild Things will hold several special events catered toward Washington Youth Baseball, which consists of about 600 children in the Trinity and Washington school districts. Among those will bethree WYB Night at the Ballpark events. The first, scheduled for May 21, will include a WYB parade of teams.
The team and league also will share some fields, with WYB teams using Consol Energy Park at times and the Wild Things using some of WYB’s fields at Washington Park for the many youth baseball tournaments they hold throughout the spring and summer.
“Out front office really feels a responsibility to promote youth baseball in the area as much as possible,” said Tony Buccilli, Wild Things director of team operations. “We want to give them the opportunity to walk through the gate, enjoy the experience on the field and sit in the stands and cheer on the Wild Things.”
The Wild Things also will sponsor teams in WYB and offer the services of several players to help coach players.
“Having our opening day here will be great,” said Washington Youth Baseball president Rick Herrnberger. “We will have the dedicated teams with the Wild Things name and they’ll be bringing out players to serve as coaches. Being that they’re in the community, this is a win-win for us. These young kids will come to the games, they’ll get to know these guys by name. They’ll be coached by them. It’s just a good thing.
“There wasn’t anything we really had to do other than partner with them and get our kids here to see the game. Hopefully, that’s more community involvement for the Wild Things.”