Former Zips Player Now Minor League Manager

[Captain Kangaroo]

Team also has a former Zips pitcher on the roster

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Wild Things open camp

By Dave Mackall

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Rambling down Interstate 70 on the outskirts of Washington, Falconi Field glistened in the morning sun as workers groomed the infield and hosed down the grandstand.

At close range, the Washington Wild Things could be seen setting up shop Wednesday for the opening of training camp with 30 players reporting, including righthander B.J. Borsa, the team's reigning MVP who led the Frontier League in saves last season with 19.

"I love baseball, and the atmosphere here is better than most," said righthander Brian Burks, a former Georgia Tech pitcher who played last season for the Eugene (Ore.) Emeralds of the Northwest League.

The Wild Things must trim their roster to the league maximum of 24 players by May 25, when they open the regular season against the Ohio Valley Red Coats, and manager John Massarelli, who earned Frontier League manager of the year in 2004, will get a final chance to assess his team during three home exhibition games, including a May 20 doubleheader and a single game on May 21.

"I don't think it matters what level you are. Everyone's excited to get going. Everyone's excited to play," Massarelli said. "If you're passionate about something, you want to be the best you can be."

The Wild Things were very good last season, advancing to the playoffs for the third year in a row by posting a league-record 62 victories, which eclipsed the old mark of 56 they set in 2002.

Only eight players from last year's team, including Borsa, are back this season. Among the other newcomers is lefthander Aaron Gangi, whom Massarelli predicted has a chance to go far.

Gangi, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound former Tampa Bay Devil Rays farmhand who played collegiately at Akron, made the all-star team while with Hudson Valley of the Class A New York-Penn League in 2003. But he faltered last season, partially because of a digestive disorder, at Class A Charleston (S.C.) of the South Atlantic League and was released by Tampa Bay during spring training this year.

"He has all the potential and tools to pitch in the big leagues," Massarelli said.

Gangi, his arms folded and his glove securely attached to his right hand, smiled at the notion.

"I hope he means that. I think I've got some potential, but we'll see," he said. "I'm just happy for the chance to get back out here."

Gangi said he got a call from Massarelli shortly after he was released and jumped at the opportunity to join the Wild Things, who are not affiliated with any major league club.

"It's definitely a confidence-booster. I don't take anything for granted," Gangi said.

A total of 15 pitchers -- half of the preseason roster -- are in the Wild Things' camp. In addition to Borsa, who, posted a 7-1 record a year ago, other hurlers back are righthanders Kyle Augsburger, Brendon Davis, Eric Holt and Jim Popp.

The remaining holdovers are catcher Randy McGarvey, infielder Joel Buchenauer and outfielder Mike Arbinger, who led the team with 106 hits.