Syracuse Chiefs Visit Golisano Children's Hospital

Syracuse Chiefs Visit Golisano Children's Hospital
Check out this video of the Syracuse Chiefs visiting the Golisano Children's Hospital on August 9th. Andrew Kown, Josh Wilkie, Pete Orr, Chase Lambin, Jeff Mandel, Adam Carr and Seth Bynum were among the players who took time away from their busy schedules to lift the spirits of a few Syracuse area children coping with medical problems. Bynum even plays the piano in the clip. "This is a great opportunity for our players to make a positive impact on the community," said Chiefs General...

Zimmerman Hosts "A Night at the Park"

Zimmerman Hosts "A Night at the Park"
On an off-night after a long West Coast road trip, nine Washington Nationals skipped a night of rest and family time to support Ryan Zimmerman's inaugural ziMS Foundation event in Washington D.C. "A Night at the Park" formally launched the foundation in the nation's capital, introducing Nationals fans and Washington elite to Zimmerman's important cause. "This has been my home for the past five years. I've grown fond of this city," Zimmerman said. "We ultimately want to make the...

Last chance to purchase tickets for ziMS Foundation event

Last chance to purchase tickets for ziMS Foundation event
In case you haven't already purchased tickets to attend tonight's A Night at the Park event benefiting the ziMS Foundation, it appears that tickets will be on sale for a few more hours. A general admission ticket for $75 includes access to the Mutlu and Amos Lee live performances, as well as the silent and live auctions. This is the inaugural event for the ziMS Foundation in Washington D.C. and it begins at 7:00 p.m. with NBC's Chuck Todd as the Master of Ceremonies. Senator Dorgan,...

Best of 2010

Best of 2010
Express, the free Washington Post publication widely read by morning commuters, is asking for your submissions for their Best of 2010 issue. You can make nominations until August 13th about D.C.'s favorite people, places and things. Final voting will take place on September 7th. Some of the categories you may want to consider: Coach: Manager Jim Riggleman D.C. Team: Washington Nationals Local Athlete: Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, Adam Dunn, etc! Offseason Acquisition: Pudge...

With Nats in Arizona, Batista addresses immigration legislation

With Nats in Arizona, Batista addresses immigration legislation
Back in April, the state of Arizona -- home to the Diamondbacks and the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game -- passed controversial new immigration legislation to help identify illegal immigrants in the state. The law was set to go into effect on July 29th, though a federal judge blocked some of the most problematic parts of the law. The Washington Nationals are the first team to visit Arizona since the law went into effect last week without its most controversial provisions. "We're...

Thank Zimmerman for his Walk-Off Home Run

Thank Zimmerman for his Walk-Off Home Run
On Saturday night, Ryan Zimmerman sent Phillies fans home miserable with just one swing. It was quite the present for Nationals fans who get tired of dealing with Nats Park visitors from the City of Brotherly Love. Did you know that you can thank Ryan for that special moment? Just like fans channel messages to Ryan in MASN's Defining Moments advertisements, you can send a warm thank you to the third baseman and help a good cause at the same time. One week from today, on Monday, August...

Desmond Visits Baseball Clinic in Prince George's County

Desmond Visits Baseball Clinic in Prince George's County
On Saturday morning, Nationals rookie Ian Desmond visited with boys and girls in Prince George's County to participate in a baseball skills clinic. Desmond was a big hit with the kids. He taught them how to field infield grounders and they practiced throwing to various bases. They also practiced flipping short double plays. One child made a barehanded grab and fired a laser to first base. Desmond reacted by humming the theme to Sports Center and telling the youngster that he made a...

Is this heaven? No, it's NatsTown

Is this heaven? No, it's NatsTown
Katherine Connors, the laid-back beauty queen from Iowa, threw the ceremonial first pitch tonight at Nationals Park. Connors met with Miguel Batista before the game and the reliever provided some first pitch tips. Batista urged Miss Iowa to take a few steps toward home plate, instead of throwing from the mound. He also encouraged her to throw high to avoid bouncing the pitch. She listened. It was high and a little outside, but Batista managed to snag it. One of the most anticipated...

Slaten, Balester Assist with Neighborhood "Green-Up"

Slaten, Balester Assist with Neighborhood "Green-Up"
Some community service projects sponsored by the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation take years to develop. Whether its fundraising for a world-class diabetes care clinic for children or developing a baseball academy for disadvantaged youth, making an impact takes time. But sometimes, one small project can also make a big difference. Just a few hours of service time can have a lasting and visible effect on the community. That was the case today as the Nationals hosted their 2nd annual...

Miss Iowa Goes To Washington

Miss Iowa Goes To Washington
It's official. Katherine Connors, Miss Iowa USA, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday evening's game against the Phillies. It's perhaps the most anticipated ceremonial first pitch since President Obama's on Opening Day. The Nationals extended the invitation to Miss Connors after pitcher Miguel Batista compared himself to her after his surprise start on Tuesday. Connors immediately challenged Batista to walk the runway, quipping, "I know I can throw a pitch or...

What a relief

What a relief
When Jim Riggleman managed the Seattle Mariners in the latter part of 2008, he had a journeyman reliever in the bullpen available for a variety of situations. Whether it was for a spot start, in relief of a starter's early exit or to protect a late inning lead, Riggleman could call on and trust Miguel Batista. Earlier this season, on April 18th, the skipper turned again to his trusted veteran, asking Batista to warm up quickly and save the rest of the bullpen from a 10-run, first inning...

NatsTown Green-Up

NatsTown Green-Up
Here in this Nats Buzz space, I often have the opportunity to write about the many ways that Nationals players and front office staff give back to the community around Nationals Park and in the greater Washington D.C. metro area. Well, on July 30th, you can get involved right alongside those players and front office staff in an effort to "green-up" the area around the ballpark. The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is teaming up with the Earth Conservation Corps to host a NatsTown...

Get to Know: Joel Peralta

Get to Know: Joel Peralta
You asked (through Ben Goessling's in-game chats), and Nats Buzz answered. We'll try to do more of these throughout the season, featuring new faces and players who you don't usually hear much about. First up is Joel Peralta, new to the organization after stints with the Angels, Royals and Rockies. Peralta was called up to join the Nationals on June 21st after going 2-0 with 20 saves and a 1.08 ERA in 28 appearances with the Syracuse Chiefs. Since the callup, Peralta has pitched in 13...

Lunch with a Legend: Stan Kasten

Lunch with a Legend:  Stan Kasten
Join Nationals president Stan Kasten and ESPN 980 personalities Thom Loverro and Kevin Sheehan for "Lunch with a Legend" on Wednesday. Kasten, a true "legend" in sports entertainment and business, will be the special guest at Morton's on Connecticut Ave. This event is part of a continuing series. The $40 tickets include a salad, main course, sides and dessert and the opportunity to participate in and watch the live show. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. with a reception. Lunch and...

Relive Stephen Strasburg's Debut

Relive Stephen Strasburg's Debut
On Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., MASN will re-air Stephen Strasburg's debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of the network's Nationals Classics programming. It's the perfect way to enjoy the All-Star break. Watch as the rookie phenom strikes out 14 and picks up his first major league win. The game will re-air again on Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Nationals also announced that they will distribute commemorative DVD copies of Stephen Strasburg's historic debut to the first...

Pudge Wins Fan Choice Bobblehead

Pudge Wins Fan Choice Bobblehead
In the first ever fan vote for a Nationals bobblehead, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez prevailed over teammates, mascots and the manager. Pudge will be honored with a bobblehead on Saturday, August 28th when the Nationals face the St. Louis Cardinals. The first 15,000 fans will receive the bobblehead, so plan to arrive early. Fans voted online for this fan choice bobblehead between March and April. The Fan Choice bobblehead is the last in a three-part series. First was Ryan Zimmerman's Gold...

Nats Buzz Winners for the First Half

Nats Buzz Winners for the First Half
With the All-Star break bringing our first half of the season to a close, Nats Buzz tallied up the totals for both the Where at Nats Park contest and Fantasy Baseball. And now, we have two winners to congratulate. Shoshana and Terp4Life, your prize packs will be on their way out shortly. Please send your mailing address to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Shoshana crushed the competition in Where at Nats Park. She scored 10 points so far this season. NatsFan1a and Cheryl were close...

Unexpected setbacks taking toll on Flores

Unexpected setbacks taking toll on Flores
On Saturday, General Manager Mike Rizzo announced that Jesus Flores experienced another setback in his long road back to the big leagues, saying the team will give Flores several days off from his throwing program after he recently experienced pain, once again, in his shoulder. Flores hasn't played with the team regularly for over a year and he's been rehabbing his shoulder since he had surgery to repair a torn labrum last September. The Nationals had hoped Flores would be ready by Opening...

Nats, USO and Microsoft Salute the Troops

Nats, USO and Microsoft Salute the Troops
On Sunday, the Nationals teamed up with the USO and Microsoft for an all-out military appreciation day to say thank you to local servicemen and women who continue to make sacrifices overseas and here at home. "This is a big deal for us," said USO Metro DC president Elaine Rogers. "It's a great way for volunteers to come together to say thank you to our troops and their families." Wounded warriors were treated to a special pre-game BBQ while over 100 volunteers made care packages for...

Christmas in July

Christmas in July
Think snow! We're now just 168 days away from Christmas -- the most wonderful time of the year (besides baseball season). And so, for the fifth year in a row, the Nationals will host a Christmas in July Toy Drive during this weekend's series against the San Francisco Giants. As always, the program benefits the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The toys collected will be distributed to non-profit organizations and hospital pediatric wards throughout the region. Fans can...