P-Nats confirm Pfitzner lease until 2020, continue new stadium search

The Single-A Potomac Nationals confirmed at their Hot Stove Banquet on Sunday that the club has extended its lease to play at Pfitzner Stadium until the 2020 season. They also have the option to end the lease early if they are able to find the opportunity to move into a new stadium elsewhere.

Owner Art Silber, who continues to spearhead the new stadium campaign, could not provide specifics, but confirmed the location would be at least within a "30-mile radius" from their present location in Prince William County.

Silber said the "franchise continues to pursue multiple options in multiple localities with an aim at the 2020 season, ideally within a 30-minute drive from our current facility."

Loudoun County is obviously less than 30 miles from Prince William County, while Fredericksburg, Va., is 34 miles from the location. Stafford County is also a good option along the Interstate 95 corridor and there has been talk in the past regarding Alexandria, Va.

Despite Pfitzner Stadium not reaching all of the minimum requirements, Minor League Baseball has provided waivers for the P-Nats to continue to play there, understanding the team's commitment in searching for a new, state-of-the-art baseball venue.

The club also is very adamant in its pursuit of a location that would keep the team in Northern Virginia.

Bryan Holland, the P-Nats general manager of sales who has been with the club since 2012, said the stadium location is not only critical for fans of baseball in the area, but is also a very important reason why the Nationals value having their high Single-A franchise so close to Nats Park for rehab assignments.

"It's a win-win for the Nats fans and the Nats baseball club," Holland said. "We want to keep the P-Nats in Northern Virginia because it is a baseball hotbed and a viable, thriving area."

The club continues to pursue partnerships as it seeks out a new stadium location, but it now has a buffer zone of at least three more seasons to make sure it finds the right spot so baseball can remain in Northern Virginia.