Manfred knows Washington politics well

Manfred knows Washington politics well
New Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred was in the nation's capital on Wednesday to visit with kids during a tour of the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. While posing for a picture, one of the youngsters asked Manfred which major league team was his favorite. Manfred, not wanting to name a team for obvious political reasons, opted for what he thought was a safer answer. "The first game I ever went to was a Yankees game," said Manfred. The kids, mostly from D.C.'s Wards 7 and 8,...

What's new at Nationals Park for 2014

What's new at Nationals Park for 2014
The Nationals provided a "What's new at Nationals Park" media tour Thursday to show off improvements, additions and changes at the ballpark for this season. The tour included technological advancements, expanded and improved concession offerings, new concession concepts, concession stand expansions, new menu items and more. Further ballpark element changes include the new Norfolk Southern Club, which replaces the Stars & Stripes Club in sections 206 through 221, the Gold Glove Club, the...

Report: Nats hoping to install roof over Nationals Park

Report: Nats hoping to install roof over Nationals Park
Mark Segraves of NBC4 has fired off an interesting tweet tonight, reporting that the Nationals are interested in installing a roof over Nats Park. In order to fund the roof, Segraves is reporting that the Nationals are asking taxpayers to put up around $300 million. The discussions are reportedly in the preliminary stages, but Segraves cites multiple sources who say that executives with the team approached several District officials, including Mayor Vincent Gray's office, to propose the...

Nationals and Baseball Tomorrow Fund inspiring baseball's next generation

Nationals and Baseball Tomorrow Fund inspiring baseball's next generation
Although my baseball-playing days began and ended at a young age, I'll never forget the time my parents handed me my first glove and T-ball bat. While I never lit up the infield or threw a no-no, I'm certain that the beginning of my baseball enthusiasm began the first time I tried on my glove. Whether it's someone like me or a major league player like Ryan Zimmerman, there was a point at which we were both introduced to the game. And now, the Nationals are giving you the chance to inspire...

Rachel Levitin: Scouting the perfect seating locations at Nationals Park

Rachel Levitin: Scouting the perfect seating locations at Nationals Park
The Nats are looking good right now. They're coming off a three-game win streak with Jordan Zimmermann holding his own as team anchor and the under-.500 Chicago Cubs coming into town for a three-game series for Mother's Day weekend. With warmer temperatures on the way, school wrapping up for the kids and summer truly around the corner, now's the time to get to the ballpark ... or at least that's what my friends keep telling me. I'm at the ballpark often enough, catching games and writing...

Nationals developing home-field advantage and opponents notice

Nationals developing home-field advantage and opponents notice
First baseman Adam LaRoche talks about it all the time. When he would come in to play the Nationals while with the Diamondbacks, they knew they could beat the Nationals, and they expected to beat the Nationals. That is not the case anymore. The Nationals are 5-0 at Nationals Park to start this season and were 50-31 at home last season, second only to the Yankees (51-30). Since 2008, the Nats have steadily improved at home. In 2008, they were 34-46 at Nationals Park, 33-48 in 2009, 41-40 in...

Grab your tickets for the "Teddy in 2012" series

Grab your tickets for the "Teddy in 2012" series
Forget the Mayans. When Teddy Roosevelt finally wins the Presidents Race, we'll know the world is ending. Everyone's favorite lovable loser has yet to win the Nationals' mid-game ritual and, frankly, it's overdue. But while Teddy still sports a goose egg in the win column, the Nationals are presenting him with some time in the spotlight. The Nationals will dedicate the last homestand of the 2012 regular season to Teddy when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies from Oct. 1-3. Known...

Braves-Nationals game rescheduled

Braves-Nationals game rescheduled
After rain washed out the game between the Braves and Nationals back on June 1, the team today released its plans to move the game to July 21. The two division foes will play a split doubleheader at Nationals Park, with the first game beginning at 1:05 p.m. and first pitch for the second game to follow at 7:05 p.m. The two games against the Braves on July 21 will require separate admission. Season Ticket Holders and Mini Plan Holders with game tickets to the postponed June 1 contest may use...

Over capacity with room to spare

Over capacity with room to spare
When is a sellout not a sellout? How about Saturday night, when the nationally televised Orioles-Nationals game drew 42,331 to Nationals Park? Despite exceeding the stadium's listed capacity of 41,487 (see page 122 of the team's 2012 media guide), the throng that saw the middle game of the first "Battle of the Beltways" inteleague series this season won't go down in the record books as a sellout. No, your grasp of basic mathematics hasn't failed you. I can assure you that 42,331 is...

Nationals select Neary as Honorary Bat Girl

Nationals select Neary as Honorary Bat Girl
How's this for a Mother's Day present? The Nationals and Major League Baseball have announced that Laurie Jo Neary, a mother of three who was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in 2008, is the winner of the team's Honorary Bat Girl program. The program recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and have demonstrated a commitment to "Going to Bat" in the fight against the deadly disease. Neary was diagnosed with the breast cancer four years ago and has since undergone...

Homestand kicks off with All-Star balloting

Homestand kicks off with All-Star balloting
The Nationals return home after a six-game road trip out west. Things started out well, as the Nats took two of three in San Diego, but a sweep by the Dodgers has Washington looking to rebound upon its return to Nationals Park. One thing a homestand also ensures is another set of perks and incentives for fans to get out to the ballpark and root root root for the home team and it kicks off with the annual All-Star voting beginning Tuesday when the Nationals open a series with the...

Nationals to unveil new menu options at home opener

Nationals to unveil new menu options at home opener
Dinner's ready, y'all! Come and get it! Alright, since it's way too hard to type and ring my triangular dinner bell at the same time, let me just get straight to the point: Nationals Park is a food lover's paradise. It's true. It seems like each season the fine folks in our nation's capital are adding more and more options for baseball fans to sink their teeth into. This year is no different. The Washington Nationals and Union Square Events are pleased to introduce the newest fanfare...

News and notes from Nats Park

News and notes from Nats Park
Greetings, Nationals fans. As we draw closer to the start of another season of Nationals baseball, there are a number of things to discuss and opportunities to present before opening day. First off, for those fans who applied to become a 2012 Nationals ball girl, the 25 finalists have been chosen and will take part in the tryouts portion of the process Saturday at Nationals Park. The finalists who met a series of requirements must prove they have a strong knowledge of the game of baseball...

Nationals launch "Take Back the Park" initiative

Nationals launch "Take Back the Park" initiative
There aren't many things baseball fans hate more than watching a game in their home stadium when it sounds like they're sitting in the stands of the visiting team. Orioles fans suffer through it during every Yankees and Red Sox series, while the Nationals are forced to endure thousands of Philliy Phanatics each year. Well, no more, cry the Nationals. Last week, the Nationals launched the "Take Back the Park" initiative. This program is an effort to bring more Nationals fans to the park...

Nationals to hold auditions for ballgirls, national anthem performers

Nationals to hold auditions for ballgirls, national anthem performers
Attention those who boast a set of golden pipes, or can at least sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" better than Carl Lewis or Roseanne Barr. The Nationals are searching for performers to sing the national anthem during the 2012 season. Those selected will get the chance to sing our nation's hallmark song in front of thousands of Nationals fans and then enjoy some good ol' fashioned baseball. Applicants are required to submit a resume (audio or video performance) along with a recent photo to...

Nationals get brand new field grass for 2012 at Nationals Park

Nationals get brand new field grass for 2012 at Nationals Park
I had the opportunity to visit Nationals Park twice in the last month and viewed progression of installation of the brand new field grass. In November, the top picture shows the entire outfield in dirt after the original grass was removed and the new grass was being installed in the infield portion. The bottom picture, taken Tuesday night, shows the new outfield grass in place to match that put in the infield in November. Fortunately, the weather has been fairly mild to start the winter...

Stuff those stockings with Nationals tickets

Stuff those stockings with Nationals tickets
The holidays are less than two months away and, let's face it, nobody wants another itchy sweater or a deluxe meat and cheese platter. Looking for something special to put under the tree or for that sixth night of Hanukkah? How about a three- or five-game ticket plan for the Nationals? Right now, fans can purchase Nationals Holiday Gift Packs, complete with tickets to either three of the Nationals' 2012 games or, for a few bucks more, five games. One option is the Opening Day Pack. At...

Tickets on sale for "America's Night of Hope"

Tickets on sale for "America's Night of Hope"
Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual "America's Night of Hope." The event, hosted by Joel and Victoria Osteen, will take place April 28 at Nationals Park. "America's Night of Hope" draws thousands of attendees from across the nation for an evening of celebration and hope. In previous years, the event was held at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and U. S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. For more information or to purchase $15 tickets for...

My day as the P.A. Announcer at Nationals Park

My day as the P.A. Announcer at Nationals Park
Last week, when the Washington Nationals faced the Los Angeles Dodgers, I was asked to be the public address announcer for game one at Nationals Park. It was indeed an honor to be back in the booth. But I have to admit I was a little nervous and had the adrenalin going. After all, I had been the public address announcer for the NBA Washington Wizards, MLS D.C. United and at college at Virginia, but it had been awhile. Okay, they were called the Bullets back then. So, that gives you an idea....

Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win

Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win
This season, MASNsports.com has seen tremendous growth, thanks in large part to its ability to interact with fans through social media. With in-game alerts via text message, breaking news broadcast through the @masnNationals Twitter account and the MASN Nationals Facebook page, which has created a daily forum for fans to gather together to discuss and cheer for the Nationals, social media has become our best tool when it comes to delivering the latest information to you, the fans. So, as a...