nationals buzz

Ladies and gentlemen, choose your bobblehead

March 31, 2011, 10:16am

The Nationals have released the list of fan choice bobblehead candidates for the Sept.10 game against the Houston Astros. Options include Adam LaRoche, Ryan Zimmerman, Jordan Zimmermann, Drew Storen and Danny Espinosa. Fans can vote and encourage friends to vote through social networking. Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond will also be honored with bobbleheads in 2011. Last season's fan choice bobblehead winner was Ivan Rodriguez. The winner will be decided April 4, so vote early and vote...

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Did you know?

March 31, 2011, 8:45am

Nationals

With his start Thursday, catcher Ivan Rodriguez has started 20 consecutive opening day games behind the plate. This is the longest streak in Major League Baseball regardless of position. Meanwhile, starter Livan Hernandez made his ninth opening day start. Hernandez is 4-3 with a 4.65 in previous opening day games. He's also tied for most opening day starts and wins among active pitchers. Of course, Ryan Zimmerman has started the most consecutive opening day games for the Washington...

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Nationals release suite tickets for opening day

March 30, 2011, 11:45am

Nationals

Still looking for Nationals tickets for opening day? Enjoy the climate controlled atmosphere of a suite for just $145 (with a two-seat minimum purchase). The available suites are on the Jefferson suite level and have comfortable leather seats, as well as access to the Stars and Stripes Club. Most importantly, you'll avoid any inclement weather. Suite tickets are available at Nationals.com. The team will also sell 400 game-day tickets for $5 on Thursday beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the...

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Popular Shake Shack headlines new concessions at Nationals Park

March 30, 2011, 7:40am

Nationals

The Nationals announced on Wednesday that renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer and his Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) will bring the very popular Shake Shack concessions concept to Nationals Park this season. This will mark the third sports venue location for the hot spot, which is also very popular at Citi Field and Saratoga Race Course. The Shake Shack features ShackBurgers, hot dogs and frozen custard. Fans can enjoy the new items at the Miller Lite Scoreboard Walk. Other new concepts...

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Larry King takes the mound

March 28, 2011, 7:52pm

Nationals

Retire. Start a foundation. Help save lives. Work on your strike zone. One of the most beloved broadcasters of our time will be making a stop at Nationals Park on April 2. The one and only Larry King is slated to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Nationals host the Braves on Saturday. A die-hard baseball fan, King even penned a book about his passion for the national pastime. The 77-year-old will be appearing at Nationals Park to promote the work of his foundation, the Larry King...

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Baseball themed musical opens April 9

March 29, 2011, 6:19am

Nationals

"National Pastime," the musical comedy will make its world premiere at the District's Keegan Theatre on April 9. The production, directed by Mark A. Rhea and Susan Marie Rhea, tells the story of a near-bankrupt radio station inventing a fictitious baseball team to spark ratings in mid-1930's Iowa. Tony Sportiello wrote the play while his colleague Al Tapper provided the music and lyrics. The show runs from April 9-May 15, 2011 and tickets cost $35-$40. The Keegan Theatre at Church...

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Details for opening day

March 28, 2011, 7:27pm

Nationals

The Nationals will celebrate opening day 2011 without presidential fanfare. According to a team release, the first pitch will be thrown by five flag officers representing each branch of the military. The team's military tribute will include a pregame ceremony and military children lining up to greet Nationals players on the red carpet. The ceremony is scheduled to include a flyover by the 113th Fighter Wing stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. The Nationals will also be the new home of the...

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Rain or shine - and Suns

March 28, 2011, 11:23am

Nationals

A quick note to pass along on NatsFest. The third annual NatsFest will take place rain or shine on Wednesday afternoon. More details can be found here. Also, for those of you western Maryland, the Hagerstown Suns are hosting a "Meet the Suns" event Monday, April 4 from 6-9 p.m. at Cancun Cantina. While Suns season ticket holders will participate in an exclusive autograph session, the public can meet and greet Suns players between 7-9 p.m. Bryce Harper is expected to be in attendance....

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New details and full schedule released for NatsFest

March 23, 2011, 2:02pm

Nationals

New details and full schedule released for NatsFest

On Wednesday afternoon, the Nationals announced some new details about NatsFest, scheduled for Wednesday, March 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Nationals Park. According to the release, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Derek Norris, Chien-Ming Wang and Cole Kimball are all scheduled to attend the team's third annual NatsFest celebration. Upon entering the ballpark at 4 p.m., fans can watch the Nationals take batting practice until 5:45 p.m. Following practice, at approximately 6:15 p.m., fans will be...

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Nationals set to build baseball field for special needs children

March 22, 2011, 5:24pm

Nationals

The Nationals are hard at work creating yet another opportunity for local youth to experience the magic of baseball. In association with the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, the Nationals will partner with the Miracle League of Montgomery County and other local civic organizations to build the Washington Nationals Miracle Field in Germantown, Md., this summer. The Miracle League of Montgomery County will give children with mental or physical challenges the opportunity to play competitive...

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Guest bloggers joining Nationals Buzz

March 14, 2011, 10:47am

Nationals

After a week of visiting with familiar faces in NatsTown South, I remembered how close-knit this community of baseball lovers can be at times. It certainly feels like a family - or to reach back to a favorite sitcom theme song, "a place where everybody knows your name." As you probably know, fans in this market are lucky to have so many quality fan-generated blogs covering this team and providing unique perspectives in sophisticated ways. You may already be reading the dozens of popular,...

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Getting to know new MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo

March 10, 2011, 12:26pm

Nationals

Getting to know new MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals fans, please give a warm welcome to MASN's newest color analyst, F.P. Santangelo. The energetic young broadcaster shared his thoughts in this Q&A with Nats Buzz at Space Coast Stadium on Thursday afternoon. What are your thoughts about the Nationals heading into this season? "Well, I just think they are playing really good baseball. I don't really want to get caught up in wins and losses in spring training, but I think when you are coming off of a tough year, it's...

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Win front row Nationals tickets for April 30

March 10, 2011, 10:03am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Want to win eight front row tickets to watch the Nationals beat the World Series champion Giants this April? Venga, a new website and mobile phone application, is running a contest to generate buzz about their new platform. The program will allow users to track happy hours, social events and special deals in restaurants, bars and music venues with a custom-built mobile application for iPhone and Android. "It's built so you get just the information you want, and only when you...

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Riggleman concerned with safety of children in stands

March 10, 2011, 6:21am

Nationals

Riggleman concerned with safety of children in stands

VIERA, Fla. - In the wake of the news that Atlanta Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar was struck by a foul ball and hospitalized on Wednesday, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman reflected Thursday on the many hazards of baseball. Several baseball-related accidents in recent years have created a greater awareness about the safety hazards - for both team personnel and fans sitting close to the action. "You're not going to a game thinking about a foul ball," Riggleman said. "It almost...

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Strasburg, Harper on Twitter

March 10, 2011, 8:59am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - It's official. Fans can now follow two of the Nationals' brightest stars on the popular social networking platform, Twitter. Stephen Strasburg will be tweeting from @stras37. Bryce Harper's @BHarp34 account has also been confirmed by the Nationals. In addition, fans can follow newcomer Todd Coffey (@ToddCoffey60). Other tweeting Nationals players include Drew Storen, Craig Stammen, John Lannan and Collin Balester.

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On the ground

March 09, 2011, 7:59am

Nationals

A quick update for our Nats Buzz readers. I landed in Melbourne, Fla., this afternoon along with nearly a dozen Nationals fans (including this guy) just in time to hear Shuttle Discovery's final sonic boom. Starting tomorrow, I'll be at Space Coast Stadium all week to bring you Nats Buzz, off-the-field type updates as often as I can. If you have any questions or topics you'd like me to explore, leave your suggestions in the comments. If you're down in Viera this week or for the Yankees...

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Cherry blossoms for opening day

March 03, 2011, 12:27pm

Nationals

For some, the best sign of spring is the president of the United States throwing the first pitch at a Nationals game. Or Ryan Zimmerman's first home run of the season. Or simply the sound of "Play Ball" echoing through the ballpark. For others, it's not spring until the beautiful cherry blossoms bloom around the District and tourists from all over the world travel to the tidal basin en mass with their best photographic equipment. Ah, the joys of spring in the nation's capital. On...

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Save Nats Park on April 14

March 01, 2011, 11:02am

Nationals

Opening day 2010 remains one of the worst, most painful memories for Nationals fans in this team's brief history. When thousands upon thousands of Phillies fans marched into Nationals Park last April and declared it their southern headquarters, Nationals fans were outraged. Phillies fans were unapologetic about their stunt, suggesting that if Nationals fans truly cared about their team, they'd show up night after night. This season, Nationals fans have an opportunity to drown out those...

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Looking for Viera suggestions

February 28, 2011, 4:18pm

Nationals

In the past few years, I've posted my recommendations for travelers heading to sunny Viera, Fla. More recently, MASNsports.com's Ben Goessling offered his suggestions, too (good reading because he's the spring training pro). But I want to hear from you. Many of you have been to Nationals spring training many times. Some of you have already returned from your first trip this season. Where do you like to go? What are your favorite restaurants? Are there any can't-miss attractions that we...

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Lerners hope to break ground on new urban baseball academy in May

February 23, 2011, 7:47am

Nationals

Lerners hope to break ground on new urban baseball academy in May

It was a dream that always seemed far off into the future - an obscure plan to host an urban youth baseball development academy in the nation's capital. That day is arriving, or will be arriving soon, and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is busy moving forward at a frenzied pace after overcoming complex bureaucratic obstacles. It's something the Lerner family has poured its hearts into since assuming ownership of the team in 2006. And this past winter, the final piece fell into...