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July 2, 2011: Potomac Nationals vs Wilmington Blue Rocks

By Maggie on July 3, 2011

Starting Pitchers: Chien-Ming Wang (#38, 2.57) vs Elisaul Pimentel (#25, 4.07)
Final Score: Nationals – 14, Blue Rocks – 1

What are the elements of a beyond-awesome minor league game? How about a rehab appearance by an experienced major-league pitcher? How about players wearing jerseys that are as far as you can throw-back? How about an awesome giveaway item? How about a dominant offensive performance that included 4 home runs by the home team? And how about fireworks to top it all off?

Saturday night Ashley, Drew and I all attended the Potomac Nationals “History of Baseball Night”, which featured Abner Doubleday Bobbleheads, players wearing throw-back uniforms in the style of 1860s/Civil War soldier teams, and an excellent color guard in period dress (which means an all-wool uniform). We had fantastic seats – front row of the field box, right next to the visiting team dugout, which allowed us a good view of Wang as he pitched, and into the P-Nats dugout. The best part – these seats cost us $14 apiece and included seat-service for concessions so you don’t have to miss anything.

Wang pitched 4 excellent innings, and it was fun to see the Taiwanese media and all his fans watching with rapt attention to every move of his arm. It was also great to see the hot young players (particularly Hood and Peacock) doing great things for the offense – hitting home runs and just playing excellent ball. Since minor-league games tend to be more experiential, enjoy a few more pictures.

(full album from this game can be seen here)

Vote Michael Morse to the All-Star Game in the FINAL VOTE: http://atmlb.com/l1pGE4

June 11, 2011: Potomac Nationals vs Salem Red Sox

By Ashley on June 14, 2011

If you see Uncle Slam, you know that one of the First Ladies must have been enjoying herself at a Potomac Nationals game! In this case, it was Ashley, accompanied by husband Drew and camp friend Sarah.

After an unbearably hot week, a big thunderstorm rolled through Virginia late Saturday afternoon. Although this delayed the game an hour, the weather was crisp and cool – perfect for a night of minor league baseball.

There were three first pitches for the game, but Ashley’s favorite was by George Mason’s new basketball coach – Paul Hewitt. Hewitt coached at Georgia Tech while Ashley was a student there and took the team to the Final Four. Hopefully Mason will have as much success!

Because of the rain delay, Ashley, Drew, and Sarah had lots of time to relax and watch the players warm up. As always, they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Above, Higley shows his friends a little dance.

These two played catch in the outfield to limber up. They seemed a bit more focused than their teammates.

The pitcher warmed up while ignoring the hijinks around him.

Like this! (Although you have to admit, that takes talent).

The boys in the bullpen drew pictures in the dirt.

Finally, we all stood for the National Anthem and the game got underway.

The first several innings went by quickly (the entire game was about 2.5 hours) with both teams evenly matched. The light faded pretty quickly by the time the action started to heat up, so there aren’t as many pictures of the game as normal. However, in the bottom of the 6th, the P-Nats scored on an error and took the lead. In the 7th, they scored again on a sac bunt and kept the momentum to win the game.

It’s a bit blurry, but here you see the start of a double play in the 8th. The P-Nats tagged a runner out at third and the batter (#10) decided to try to make it to second base. Right about now, #10 is realizing that he can’t get to 2nd, so he decided to turn back to 1st…

And was rewarded for his judgement with a tag out at the base. Great job P-Nats!

The night ended with a refreshing chill and a fabulous fireworks show. On our way out, Chairman/CEO/First Base Coach Art Silber was at the gate to shake hands with the fans. It was a small gesture that meant a lot – it’s great to see how invested he is with the team. We can’t wait to get back down to Pfitzner Stadium again soon!

(full album from this game can be seen here)

April 9, 2011: Potomac Nationals vs Lynchburg Hillcats

By Maggie on April 12, 2011

Neither Maggie nor Ashley can resist a deal. So when Groupon posted a deal a few weeks ago for tickets to the opening weekend to see the Potomac Nationals, we had to take advantage. $6 for a grandstand seat and a hot dog. Not bad at all. Add in a beer and splitting parking, and this was a $15 outing to see professional players, sit 4 feet from the PNats bullpen, and take advantage of a fabulous minor league team.

Fabulous because they’re coming off a year as the Carolina League champions. The players received their rings at Spring Training, but this was an opportunity for the team to celebrate with the fans who go to their games on a regular basis. And we weren’t disappointed. Eury Perez had a slick first inning where he stole two bases, and scored a run. Steven Souza had an amazing diving catch in the 4th inning, and a towering 3-run homer in the 9th (which brought the team within 1).

It may have been cold (pitchers in the bullpen were wearing at least 3 long-sleeved layers in the 47-degree weather), the scoreboard may have shown the same pictures for all the Nationals players during the first four innings (no, the entire team isn’t identical to Jeff Kobernus) and eventually gone completely dark during the ninth inning, and troops of tween girls may have tromped loudly on the bleachers while bugging pitchers for autographs, but there’s nothing like it.

But where else can you go where the mascot comes and pulls your hat over your eyes, sits down for a while to show you his replica championship ring, and even lets you try it on (all the while ignoring mob of children who have suddenly invaded)?

Where can you get THISCLOSE to a pitcher as he warms up to close the game, and then ask him about the logistics of minor league teams after he gets the save? (the question – do visiting teams have to bring their own rosin? answer – yes, opposing teams don’t/can’t provide equipment).

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: minor league baseball is great. Get yourself to a game – you don’t have a lot of excuses. The Potomac Nationals are in Woodbridge. The Frederick Keys (an Orioles affiliate) are in Frederick (a short 45 minute drive north from DC). The Hagerstown Suns are in Hagerstown (northwest Maryland), which is about 90 minutes away, but has the additional draw of Bryce Harper. Next time you’re visiting family or friends who don’t live near a big city…do a quick search online, and find a team nearby (they’re EVERYWHERE).

Normally we give you more specific details on the game, so here are a few of those. Danny Rosenbaum started for the Nationals, and Arodys Viscaino started for the Hillcats. Jason Lowey got the save for the Hillcats, as he finished things out with a 6-5 win for Lynchburg.

(full album from this game can be seen here)

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September 4, 2010: Potomac Nationals vs Kinston Indians (DOUBLEHEADER)

By Maggie on September 4, 2010

Game: Potomac Nationals vs. Kinston Indians (doubleheader!)
Final Score: Nationals: 2, Indians: 0 ; Nationals: 5, Indians: 7
Who was there: Maggie
Where did she sit: Field Box 3, Row D, which was very close to the P-Nats dugout.

Other Observations:
- In the past, Ashley has done photo blogs to describe these games, and now Maggie understands why! The games lend themselves more visually than to stats and box scores. It’s more of an experience than anything else.
- If you’ve never been to a minor-league game (especially at the lower levels), it’s a mix between high-school football game, family reunion, and small-town Fourth of July. Players, fans, and coaches have more of a chance to interact, and some of the players even have their livelihood supported by members of the booster clubs. It’s more community than entertainment.
- This particular evening provided that elusive baseball experience – the doubleheader. With single-A ball, this is more doable for the regular person. The game lasts for 7 innings instead of 9, which meant that the first game only lasted 2 hours. Unfortunately, the second went a little later, and because Maggie had an event on Sunday and a long drive home, she ditched after 2 hours with the P-Nats down by 3 (and going on to lose).
- Uncle Slam, the Potomac Nationals mascot spent most of the two games flirting and blowing kisses to Maggie.
- It appears that a number of the P-Nats have decided to take up mustache-growing with the end of the season in view. It was a fairly impressive showing.
- With a win in the first game, the Nationals take first place. Yay!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpQywi6k3EE]

(the rest of the album from this game can be seen here)
(videos from this and other games can be seen here)

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July 4, 2010: Potomac Nationals vs Wilmington Blue Rocks

By Ashley on July 10, 2010

Game #83 Potomac Nationals vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks
Starting Pitchers: Frias (2-4, 6.75) v. Lamb (4-2, 1.55)
Final Score: P-Nats: 4, Blue Rocks: 13

I’m going to take this opportunity to veer from our classic post and tell you how much fun minor league games are. Although there were a few great plays (amazing snags from 3rd and 1st base), for the most part, this game was not good baseball (unless you were a Blue Rocks fan). Still, let me show you why you should go to a P-Nats (or minor league team of your choice) game:

Minor League mascots: Uncle Slam is a blue headed… patriotic… thing. But, the kids loved him and he seemed to have a good time despite the heat. It was America’s birthday after all!

Minor league seats: The first picture shows you the seats I purchased. My seats were $10 and right behind home plate. I later moved to the grandstand (would have cost me $8) to take some pictures without the net in my way. Look at how low and close to the field I was!

You can get away with a lot more at minor league games. At a Nationals game, noise makers are prohibited. At a P-Nats game, they sell vuvuzelas!

Great stories about coaches and players. The man on the left is Art Silber. He is Chairman, CEO, and 1st base coach for the P-Nats. According to the program he is both “the oldest first base coach in minor league baseball” and one of only two people in professional baseball who is authorized to wear the #42 jersey.

And, the games are fun too. In addition to some old standbys like “spin around a bat as many times as possible” and “sack races” there was this gem. Fans had a chance to purchase a bag of (numbered) tennis balls during the game. Afterward, hula hoops were put out on the field and fans tried to get their tennis ball to land inside. If you made it, you got a prize!

So, I highly suggest getting yourself to a minor league game. You may not watch Strasburg pitch, but it’s a cheap, fun way to spend an afternoon with your friends.

The rest of the pictures can be found here.

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