Nats Park 2018 lineup Part 1: Events and promotions

The sun is shining. The days are longer. The grass is freshly cut. The smell of fresh leather and the sound of bats cracking fill the atmosphere in D.C.

Baseball season is here.

Fans' offseason dreams of strikeouts, home runs, stolen bases, refreshing drinks and steaming half-smokes will soon become realities with opening day just three days away and the Nationals' home opener on South Capitol St. a little over a week away.

With the 2018 season about to begin, let's take a look at the special events and promotions happening at Nats Park this year. And we'll start with everyone's biggest offseason question: What are this year's bobbleheads?

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS

Bobbleheads

* Sean Doolittle bobblehead - On Friday, April 13 against the Rockies, the first 25,000 fans will receive a Sean Doolittle bobblehead presented by M&M's.
* Max Scherzer bobblehead - On Friday, May 4 against the Phillies, the first 25,000 fans will receive a Max Scherzer Cy Young bobblehead presented by PNC Bank.
* Ryan Zimmerman bobblehead - On Friday, June 8 against the Giants, the first 25,000 fans will receive a Ryan Zimmerman "Ryanaissance" bobblehead presented by Delta Air Lines.
* Bryce Harper bobblehead - On Friday, July 6 against the Marlins, the first 25,000 fans will receive a Bryce Harper Patriotic bobblehead presented by SAIC.
* Anthony Rendon bobblehead - On Friday, Aug. 3 against the Reds, the first 25,000 fans will receive an Anthony Rendon bobblehead presented by PNC Bank. This is Rendon's first bobblehead with the Nationals.

Apparel

* 2018 schedule T-shirt - On Thursday, April 5 (home opener) against the Mets, the first 25,000 fans will receive a 2018 schedule T-shirt presented by GEICO.
* Nationals tote bag - On Wednesday, May 2 against the Pirates, the first 25,000 fans will receive a Nationals tote bag presented by Kaiser Permanente.
* "Star Wars" Stance socks - On Saturday, May 5 against the Phillies, the first 10,000 fans will receive a pair of "Star Wars" Stance socks when the Force returns to Nationals Park for the fourth annual "Star Wars" Day!
* All-Star Game tote bag - On Wednesday, June 6 against the Rays, the first 25,000 fans will receive an All-Star Game tote bag presented by MLB Network.
* Hawaiian shirt - On Friday, Aug. 17 against the Marlins, the first 20,000 fans will receive a Hawaiian shirt presented by MASN.
* Trucker cap - On Friday, Aug. 31 against the Brewers, the first 20,000 fans ages 21 and up will receive a trucker cap presented by Budweiser.

Collectibles

* "Game of Thrones" figurine - Winter is coming! On Saturday, Aug. 18 when the Nationals play the Marlins, the first 10,000 fans will receive a "Game of Thrones" figurine as Nationals host the second annual "Game of Thrones" Night.
* Oktoberfest beer stein - On Friday, Sept. 21 when the Nationals play the Mets, the first 20,000 fans ages 21 and up will receive a Beer Stein presented by Budweiser. Put on your lederhosen, raise your stein and celebrate Oktoberfest at Nationals Park!

BUDWEISER DECADE NIGHTS

Starting with '60s Night in May, Nationals Park will be transported to a previous decade during one home game per month, presented by Budweiser. From June through September, the ballpark will host celebrations of the 1970s through 2000s, complete with a live band in the Budweiser Terrace and DJs throughout the ballpark playing music from that era. Fans who purchase a beer at the Budweiser Terrace Bar during these games will receive a decade-themed T-shirt, while supplies last.

* '60s Night - Saturday, May 19 vs. Dodgers
* '70s Night - Saturday, June 23 vs. Phillies
* '80s Night - Saturday, July 21 vs. Braves
* '90s Night - Thursday, Aug. 2 vs. Reds
* 2000s Night - Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Brewers

SPECIAL TICKET EVENTS

* K St. Section - After a successful debut in 2017, the K St. Section is back for the 2018 season. For the last Friday home game of each month, fans can purchase a special ticket package that includes a field-level ticket in the K St. Section, an exclusive T-shirt to wear during the game and a "K-card" to help cheer on the Nationals pitchers.
* Pups in the Park - Back by "pup"ular demand! Nationals fans and their canine friends can enjoy Pups in the Park presented by Budweiser on six separate occasions during the 2018 season: April 8, April 29, May 19, June 23, Sept. 7 and Sept. 25. All proceeds from dog tickets benefit the Humane Rescue Alliance.
* College Day Series - Show your school pride at Nationals Park by purchasing a special ticket for one of ten College Days! The Nationals will celebrate George Mason, Georgetown, George Washington, Howard, James Madison, Maryland, VCU, Virginia, Virginia Tech and William & Mary. With the purchase of a special ticket, fans will enjoy pregame festivities dedicated to the featured school and take home a co-branded cap.

Virginia Commonwealth University - Friday, May 18 vs. Dodgers
University of Maryland - Thursday, June 21 vs. Orioles
University of Virginia - Saturday, June 23 vs. Phillies
Georgetown University - Sunday, June 24 vs. Phillies
James Madison University - Saturday, July 21 vs. Braves
Virginia Tech - Friday, Aug. 3 vs. Reds
College of William & Mary - Tuesday, Aug. 7 vs. Braves
George Washington University - Thursday, Sept. 6 vs. Cubs
George Mason University - Friday, Sept. 7 vs. Cubs
Howard University - Tuesday, Sept. 25 vs. Marlins

* Teacher Appreciation Day - On April 28, July 31 and Sept. 21, all teachers, administrators and school employees who purchase a ticket to Teacher Appreciation Day will enjoy discounted tickets loaded with concession credit and an exclusive giveaway item.
* Nurses Appreciation Day - Sunday, May 6 is Nurses Appreciation Day at Nationals Park! Join nurses, their friends and family from around the D.C. area to support the Nationals as they take on the Phillies. Tickets purchased through the special ticket offer include discounted pricing.
* Seniors Stroll the Bases - With the purchase of a special ticket, fans ages 60 and older will have the opportunity to come down to the field, join the Racing Presidents and stroll around the bases after the Nationals play the Padres on Wednesday, May 23, and after they play the Reds on Sunday, Aug. 5. Seniors Stroll the Bases is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
* Night OUT - The Nationals invite fans to show their pride during the 14th annual Night OUT event, one of the largest LGBT nights in professional sports, on Tuesday, June 5 against the Rays. A portion of the proceeds from Night OUT ticket sales will benefit Team DC's scholarship fund.
* Big Ten Night - On Friday, June 8 against the Giants, come out and show your Big Ten pride as the Nationals host Big Ten Night! Special tickets include a Nationals/Big Ten co-branded koozie and a donation toward scholarship funds for Big Ten schools.
* Yoga in the Outfield - On Sunday, June 10 against the Giants and on Sunday, Aug. 19 against the Marlins, fans can participate in a 45-minute yoga session on the outfield grass and take home a Nationals-themed yoga mat with the purchase of a special ticket. Yoga in the Outfield is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
* Ladies Night - Join the Nationals for Ladies Night on Friday, June 22 when the team plays the Phillies. Tickets to this special night include access to an exclusive pregame party and a set of Nationals Bottle Stoppers.
* Pac 12 Day - On Saturday, June 23 against the Phillies, join fellow Pac 12 alumni, students and fans from around the D.C. area to support the Nationals. All tickets purchased for Pac 12 Day include an $8 concession credit.
* Margaritaville - All Parrotheads are invited to join the Nationals on Friday, July 20 against the Braves. Fans who purchase a special ticket will receive a $10 concessions credit and the first 500 to arrive at the ballpark will receive an exclusive Nationals Margaritaville T-shirt.
* Firefighter Appreciation Day - On Sunday, July 22 against the Braves, the Nationals will honor firefighters as they take on their NL East rival. Special tickets include a Nationals firefighter patch and a donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
* Jewish Community Day - On Sunday, Aug. 19 against the Marlins, fans can enjoy pregame fun for the whole family with special Jewish-themed programming provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Each special ticket purchased includes a donation to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
* Taste of the World International Food Festival - On Saturday, Sept. 8 against the Cubs, the Nationals will celebrate Washington, D.C.'s unique international community with a culinary event featuring flavors from all over the world. Fans who purchase a special ticket will enjoy a pregame street festival with food and beverage samples, and take home a Nationals apron.
* Faith Day - On Saturday, Sept. 22 against the Mets, fans are welcome to stay postgame to enjoy testimonies of faith from Nationals players, as well as a concert featuring local choir and gospel groups. A portion of special ticket sales will benefit The House DC.
* Halfway to St. Patrick's Day - On Sunday, Sept. 23 against the Mets, all fans who purchase a special ticket will have access to a pregame festival with food and drink samplings from around Ireland!

SPECIAL FOR KIDS

Giveaways

* Fidget spinner - On Sunday, April 29 against the Diamondbacks, the first 10,000 fans 12 & under will receive a fidget spinner presented by the Potomac Nationals.
* Superhero cape - On Sunday, May 20 against the Dodgers, the first 10,000 fans 12 & under will receive a superhero cape presented by Harris Teeter.
* Max Scherzer eye patch - On Sunday, June 24 against the Phillies, the first 10,000 fans 12 & under will receive a Max Scherzer eye patch presented by Harris Teeter.
* Batting helmet - On Sunday, July 22 against the Braves, the first 10,000 fans 12 & under will receive a batting helmet presented by Harris Teeter.
* Night Light - On Sunday, Aug. 19 against the Marlins, the first 10,000 fans 12 & under will receive a night light presented by Harris Teeter.
* Pajama Set - On Sunday, Sept. 2 against the Brewers, the first 10,000 fans 12 & under will receive a pajama set presented by Harris Teeter.

Events

* Kids Run the Bases - After every Sunday day game, all fans 12 & under are invited to run the bases following the game, weather permitting.
* Scout Day - On April 28, Aug. 5 and Sept. 8, the Nationals welcome Scout troops, families and friends to join us for Scout Day! Special tickets include a limited edition Nationals Scout patch.
* Kids Opening Day - On Sunday, April 29 against the Diamondbacks, the Nationals invite the team's youngest fans to help kick off the 2018 season. A variety of kid-friendly activities will be available before the start of the game.
* Youth Baseball & Softball Day - On Sunday, April 29 against the Diamondbacks and Sunday, May 20 against the Dodgers, it is Youth Baseball & Softball Day at Nationals Park, presented by Inova Children's Hospital. All fans with a ticket to Youth Baseball & Softball Day can participate in an on-field parade prior to the game, and fans 12 & under are invited to run the bases following the game.
* Girl Scout Day - On Saturday, June 9 against the Giants, the Nationals will welcome Girl Scout associations, service units, troops, families and friends to join us for the second annual Girl Scout Day! Tickets include a limited edition Nationals Girl Scout Day patch, the opportunity to participate in a pregame parade on the warning track, and a donation to Girl Scouts Nation's Capital.
* Camp Day - All summer camps, recreation programs and daycares are invited to the ballpark on Wednesday, Aug. 1 to support the Nationals as they take on the Mets. Discounted tickets and meal deals are available to all area campers.
* Youth Sports Day - On Sunday, Sept. 23 against the Mets, all fans 12 & under with a special ticket to Youth Sports Day will be able to participate in a pregame parade around the warning track.

For additional information on all 2018 Nationals events and promotions, visit nationals.com/Promotions.

Check out Part 2 of our Nats Park lineup series, which includes everything that's new around the ballpark for 2018!