Take Doug Krantz, and his accordion, out to the ballgame
Doug Krantz of Canonsburg entertains during the seventh-inning stretch at Washington Wild Things games.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Doug Krantz of Canonsburg tips his cap after playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch at a Washington Wild Things game.
It’s a beautiful, warm July night at Wild Things Park in Washington.
The Washington Wild Things trail the Lake Erie Crushers 8-2 midway through the seventh inning, but the crowd is in a jovial mood. It’s fireworks night, chocolate chip cookies and milk were doled out during the fifth inning, and Wild Thing, the mascot, is entertaining the crowd and posing for pictures between innings.
Now, it’s time for the seventh-inning stretch, and the fans in the ballpark turn their attention to the home team’s dugout.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Doug Krantz of Canonsburg sings and plays “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch at a Washington Wild Things game.
There, standing on the blue roof of the dugout is Doug Krantz, affectionately known as “Accordion Man,” who launches into “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on the squeezebox as the crowd sings the words along with him.
Krantz performs the song – baseball’s unofficial anthem – during the seventh-inning stretch of every one of the Wild Things’ 48 home games.
“I love it,” said Krantz, 59, of Canonsburg. “A couple nights ago when I played, everybody in the park got up and they were standing and singing, and it’s such a rush. Everybody was happy and having a good time together.”
Marketing director Christine Blaine said she believes the crowd enjoys having a musician perform the seventh-inning stretch.
“I think (the seventh-inning stretch) is a baseball tradition. People look forward to it because they get to stand up and sing along and be a part of the action,” said Blaine. “In the past, we’ve had a recording. We don’t have an organ like PNC Park and other major league teams, and having Doug play adds a big-league element to what we do. I think people really enjoy him.”
Krantz, a member of the American Guild of Organists and assistant organist at Zion Lutheran Church in Bridgeville, is also a pianist who has been playing for more than 50 years. Fascinated with the accordion, he taught himself how to play.
He loves baseball and music, and didn’t hesitate to try out when the Wild Things organization announced it was holding auditions to play “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
“I played Little League one season as a kid, and I was the worst player on the team. I was never athletic. I’m a music guy, but I love watching sports,” said Krantz. “The whole idea of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ resonates with me.”
Initially, the judges were skeptical, said Blaine.
“When he auditioned two years ago, I remember my judges going, ‘Oh my God, it’s an accordion guy, I don’t know about this,'” said Blaine. “But when he played, it turned the whole thing around.”
Playing during the mid-seventh isn’t Krantz’s only role. After playing “Take Me Out,” he remains on the dugout, where he line dances his way through “Cotton Eye Joe” before he exits to return to his seat in the stands.
He also plays “Happy Birthday” during the middle of the eighth inning for fans who are celebrating birthdays, and occasionally he plays the National Anthem.
The Wild Things have become an important part of Krantz’s life.
A longtime resident of the state of Indiana, Kratz moved to Washington County in August 2015 for his job as a major incident manager for an IT company.
On his second night, he decided to explore the city and found the Wild Things ballpark.
“I said, ‘I guess I’m going to a Wild Things game,'” recalled Krantz, now a season-ticket holder. “I found it so family-friendly and welcoming, and I came the next two nights as well. I thought, ‘Well, I’m a Wild Things fan.’ Sitting at my first Wild Things game, I thought, ‘OK, this is going to work. I’m going to be OK.'”
He also hosts Wild Things players – this season, he has provided a home for former infielder Louis Mele and shortstop Brett Marr.
Krantz confesses he has “a bit of an accordion addiction.”
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Doug Krantz of Canonsburg dances with the Washington Wild Things’ in-game entertainment team to “Cotton-Eyed Joe” after playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on his accordion.
“Some guys collect cars; I collect accordions,” he said.
Krantz currently owns four, including the Honer he purchased from the Carnegie Accordion Co., on which he performs “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Krantz plans to take himself out to the ballgame for as long as he can.
“There are so many things about baseball and the Wild Things that appeal to me. It’s the music. It’s the crowd. It’s the soft-serve ice cream. It’s the ballpark atmosphere. It’s the camaraderie of the season-ticket holders. It’s the players on the field. It’s the complexities of the game,” said Krantz. “I love the Wild Things, and I love playing during the games. When there’s snow on the ground in January, I feel like, ‘Oh, will baseball ever come again?'”