Kyle Helisek

WASHINGTON, Pa. — Stepping on the mound for the Frontier League's Washington Wild Things is a neat feeling for Cranberry Township resident Kyle Helisek.

Sure, the independent baseball league doesn't give Helisek an easy road to advance toward Major League Baseball.

But when he pitched for the Palm Beach Cardinals, a High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, his grandmother couldn't make the trip to see him pitch.

“It's really nice,” Helisek said. “A lot of my family members and friends who couldn't watch me play when I was with the Cardinals have seen me play.”

Helisek, 25, has settled into the Wild Things rotation and given family and friends plenty of reason to make the trip.

After being slowed by a hamstring injury earlier this season, Helisek has a 3-2 record with a 1.82 ERA in five starts and has hopes of catching back on with an affiliated minor league team.

Joining Washington wasn't something Helisek was sure he wanted. After not making the Cardinals roster out of spring training, Helisek, started looking at work outside of baseball.

He has a degree in Accounting and Management Information Systems from Villanova and was planning for a career after baseball.

When another Frontier League team, the Evansville (Ind.) Otters, called he told Field Manager Andy McCauley he wasn't interested.

“I called him back not too long after and I told him I didn't want to give it up yet,” Helisek said. “He initiated things with the Wild Things and he was a great help.”

McCauley called Washington Field Manager Bob Bozzuto about Helisek. Bozzuto, who is also North Allegheny's Athletic Director, saw Helisek pitch for Seneca Valley High School.

Having guys with area ties is something Bozzuto likes having on the roster. als Andrew Heck (North Hills), Tim Giel (Shady Side Academy) and Tyler Ferguson (La Roche College) also played baseball in the Pittsburgh region.

“Andy and I talked,” Bozzuto said. “'He said 'I have a guy here from Western Pa. If you can use him, take him. If you don't have room for him, I will definitely take him.' We quickly signed him and brought him here.”

Helisek built up solid minor league credentials.

He started last season 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA with the Palm Beach Cardinals.

That earned him a spot in the Florida State League All-Star Game. In the second half of the season, he wasn't as sharp and ended the year with a 5-6 record and 3.80 ERA.

“I think as this season's went on, I've developed better command of my fastball and on the inner half of the plate,” Helisek said. “That's what I lost. I saw a lot more hard hit balls in the second half last year from not committing my fastball inside. That's what I've been doing since then.”

Bozzuto is most impressed with the lefties' changeup, but is also happy with the velocity he has on his fastball. He's also happy with the attitude Helisek brings.

“Number one, he has good velocity and he's left-handed,” Bozzuto said. “He's also very professional in how he goes about his business. Guys that have a starting role have to go about their business and get themselves prepared emotionally as well.”

While Helisek waits for another chance with a big league affiliate, he's happy to be pitching so close to home. Helisek lives with his parents in Cranberry Township, about a 50-minute drive from work.

“It's been a great experience,” Helisek said. “I met a lot great people here and am playing against good competition from a lot of different minor league affiliated teams. I've also seen a lot of people around here that I haven't seen in awhile, which is nice as well.”