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March 31 Storybook Opener For The Record Books Welcome Home Indeed!
What a fantastic home opener to begin the new era of baseball in Washington! President George Bush was on hand for the opening pitch and ESPN beamed television coverage nationwide for the opening of the brand new Nationals Park in Southeast Washington. Fans were treated to a chilly but electric atmosphere with all the pomp and pagentry that's typical in our influential town.
The Nats didn't disappoint the fans even after allowing the Braves to tie in the 9th inning because of a heart breaking pass-ball committed by new catcher Paul LoDuca. The home team still managed a spectacular 3-2 victory over their division rival Atlanta Braves after third baseman Ryan Zimmerman belted a two out, nobody on, walk-off homer in the bottom frame of the ninth inning securing the first win of the 2008 season.
 Peter Angelos' Worst Nightmare Comes To Life On Your Television In Real HD
I myself will be attending my first game at Nationals Park during the first weekend homestand on Friday, April 11th (with a very pregnant wife I might add) and can't wait to experience our new digs. Prior to that however, I will be going to the Potomac Nationals Booster Club "Meet The Players Banquet". In addition, I plan on being at the public media event on April 3rd at Pfitzner Stadium. I hope to take photos and video and have requested media credentials to cover the P-Nats for the 2008 season.
I updated the P-Nat roster list as released this afternoon. I really think Potomac is going to be an exciting venue this year. I am especially looking forward to watching Ross Detwiler on the mound as he attempts to climb the ladder. I would anticipate Chris Marrero to be moving on rather early in the season and I want to catch him again this season before he winds up in Harrisburg or Columbus.
 I Swear I've Seen These Photos Before!?!
The big boys will be traveling to Philadelphia today for an early 3PM game at the Phillies home opener. Then they will fly to St Louis to take on Albert Pujols & Company. Nationals Park will reopen it's gates on Monday April 7th against the Florida Marlins and they will stay at home for a full week. This is a young and exciting team that could truly entertain us this season...especially with the obvious injection of power.
There is one thing that bothers me however: the home runs last night appeared to be line drive frozen ropes. Now remember, this was during 40 degree weather at the end of March. Come July & August when the heat and humidity turns Washington into it's yearly tropical sauna, what's going to happen to the ball? Will the DC stadium become a new bandbox due to heat much like the Rangers Park in Texas? Grab your glove and find a seat in the "Red Porch" ...it might be a good year for souvenirs! March 15 2008 Promotions at PotomacThe P-NATS just announced their tentative promotional schedule for the season, and here's the highlights. Opening day is April 8th against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and will feature a color guard ceremony by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW). Also, Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart (who intends to run for Lieutenant Governor in the next election) will be throwing out the first pitch.
 During the first weekend homestand on April 11 & 12, the Potomac Nationals will be giving away schedule magnets on Friday and Saturday night. As with all Saturday games at the Pfitz, the 12th and the 19th will have firework shows at the conclusion of the game. On Sunday afternoon April 20th there will be a team photo giveaway and players will sign autographs on the field for fans.
In May the feature of the month will be an appearance by actor and former "CHiPs" star Erik Estrada. Mr. Estrada will be at Pftitzner Stadium on May 24th to promote his partnership with the Safe Surfin' USA Foundation which educates young people on the dangers of surfing the internet. "Ponch" will be present throughout the game to greet fans and emcee between innings with contests and prizes for kids. Unfortunately, I can find no indication whether Mr. Estrada will be sporting a helmet and sunglasses for the traditional playing of Y-M-C-A by the Village People in the bottom of the 3rd.
  On the following day, May 25th - the PNATS will give limited edition Disabled Veterans baseball card sets featuring Potomac Nationals players to the first 1,000 fans. On May 31st there will be an "Outdoor Expo" at the stadium in which several auto dealers, power sports, camping, home improvement companies and resort properties will be present offering information and materials to fans. Washington Nationals mascot and racing president George Washington will be on hand this day as well.
June 8th will be the ever popular batting helmet day and the first thousand fans will receive a free life size Potomac Nationals replica batting helmet. Later that month on June 22nd, the Potomac Nationals will have "Biker Night". There will be a Motorcycle Show outside the stadium two hours before the game and a "bike parade" in the outfield just prior to the first pitch. In addition, the first 1,000 fans will get a nifty P-Nat bandana to show their colors during the game.
With July of course comes fireworks and according to the press release, The Potomac Nationals boast the largest 4th of July fireworks show in Northern Virginia. There will be shows both on the 4th and the 5th, but the 5th will also feature everyone's favorite Washington National mascot Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy will attempt to break his perfect losing streak by taking on P-NAT mascot "Uncle Slam" in an exciting race to the plate at the Pfitz. The next day on the 6th the first thousand fans will get a free P-NAT umbrella which will sport the Potomac Nationals circular "regional logo" (which I guess must be the same logo I have on the wallpaper for this blog). The 18th and 19th should prove to be popular days as the P-Nats are going to be giving out free P-Nat caps to the first 1,000 fans and the 19th will also have Washington Nationals mascot Abraham Lincoln attending.
 August 2nd will offer another P-Nat cap opportunity for the first 1,000 fans, the next day, August 3rd will present another chance to get a Potomac Nationals team photograph and players will again be on hand to autograph for fans before the game. The first thousand fans on this day will also receive P-Nat visors. Another Outdoor Expo will be presented on August 23, in addition to Justin Maxwell bobbleheads being given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gate. Thomas Jefferson will also be on hand on the 23rd as the last of the Washington Nationals "Racing Presidents" to grace the confines of Pfitzner Stadium. Finally, on August 24th the first 1,000 fans will get Potomac Nationals cooler bags which will be the last scheduled promotion of the season.
The Potomac Nationals front office will be releasing their daily promotions schedule next week. If you wish to learn about some of these and all the other promotions scheduled for the upcoming season such as the Scouting Nights, Kids Run The Bases, Busch Gardens Nights and more - refer to the official Potomac Nationals website. March 05 2008 Top Prospects Current Top Prospects Of The Washington Nationals
(excluding those that reported to major league camp at the beginning of Spring Training)
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