June 19, 2013

CAPS: Club Scarlet Beauty Mixer

June 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

There will be a Club Scarlet Beauty Mixer Hosted by Red Door Spa on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2013 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Elizabeth Arden Spa. The event will cost $40 (includes all processing fees).

Scarlet Caps

Club Scarlet members will be treated to mini services, such as hand treatments, mini facials, hair blow outs, seated massages and make-up refreshers. Wine and cheese will be served throughout the mixer and Caps autographed items will be auctioned off along with gift certificates from Red Door Spa. All attendees will receive a complimentary Red Door Spa goodie bag and coupons for their next spa visit. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to order your tickets*.

*Please note: There is a four (4) ticket limit per account

Red Door Spa – Chevy Chase
5225 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20015

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CAPS: Brooks Laich and the Washington Capitals Make Local Teen’s Wish Come True

May 1, 2013 by
During the Capitals Fan Appreciation Night Jersey Off Our Backs ceremony, Capitals forward Brooks Laich presents Emily, 17, with his jersey. Through the Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, Emily was able to meet Laich. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

During the Capitals Fan Appreciation Night Jersey Off Our Backs ceremony, Capitals forward Brooks Laich presents Emily, 17, with his jersey. Through the Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, Emily was able to meet Laich. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich and Keymar Md., native Emily watch the Capitals versus Bruins game at Verizon Center on April 27. The Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic partnered to make Emily’s wish to attend a Capitals game and meet Laich come true. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich and Keymar Md., native Emily watch the Capitals versus Bruins game at Verizon Center on April 27. The Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic partnered to make Emily’s wish to attend a Capitals game and meet Laich come true. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

 

Brooks Laich and the Capitals Make Local Teen’s Wish Come True

When the Washington Capitals began warm-ups during their final game of the regular season, a special voice helped to introduce them.

Emily, a 17-year-old Keymar, Md., native, joined public address announcer Wes Johnson in welcoming the team to the ice.

Emily was at her first Capitals game through the Capitals and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic’s commitment to make Emily’s wish to meet Capitals forward Brooks Laich come true.

Emily suffers from Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.

Due to complications, Emily has had most of her colon removed and has had additional coronary, venous and arterial infections and clots.

“Hockey is my favorite sport and I really enjoy it,” said Emily. “Everyone in my family likes it so I figured it’d be a good thing for us to all do.”

The evening included several surprises for Emily and her family.

After riding the Olympia ice resurfacer during the first intermission and watching the game with her family from Ovi’s Crazy 8s section, Emily was invited to the press box where she met Laich. The two then watched the third period of the game together, along with Emily’s father.

“Emily was awesome,” said Laich following the experience. “A huge hockey fan – a very bright, intelligent girl. It was an honor for me to meet her.”

After the game Laich presented Emily with his jersey during the team’s Jerseys Off Our Backs ceremony, part of Fan Appreciation Night. Emily’s whole family then met with Nicklas Backstrom, Jason Chimera, Mike Green, Braden Holtby, Laich and Mike Ribeiro.

Founded in 1983, the mission of Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Foundation serves children who reside in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia and has granted the wishes of more than 7,600 local children fighting life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease.

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CAPS: Washington Capitals Fans Prepare to Rock the Red

April 29, 2013 by
Capitals fans at warmups (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Capitals fans at warmups (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

The first playoff home game is this Thursday, May 3 when the Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers at 7:30 p.m. However, fans will be “Rocking the Red” all week. Check out all of the festivities listed in the team’s press release below.

Caps Fans Prepare to Rock the Red in the Playoffs Powered by Constellation Energy
Beard-A-Thon, Viewing Parties, Contests and More to Kick off Postseason

ARLINGTON, Va. – During the 2013 Stanley Cup quarterfinal round between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, Capitals fans are invited to participate in several activities to kick off the postseason.

Game 1 will be played Thursday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Verizon Center and available locally on Comcast SportsNet HD. All Capitals playoff games will also be broadcast on CBS Radio (WJFK 106.7 The Fan) and Hubbard Radio (WFED 1500) as well as on WashingtonCaps.com and on Caps Mobile apps.

Playoff activities include:

Beard-A-Thon
The Washington Capitals, alongside Constellation Energy and media partners 106.7 The Fan and Comcast SportsNet, encourage fans to participate in one of hockey’s most visible traditions – the playoff beard. Beard-A-Thon participants can invite family members, friends and business associates to pledge money for their playoff beard. Confirmed beard-growers include Capitals players Karl Alzner, Troy Brouwer, Mike Green, Matt Hendricks, Braden Holtby, Steve Oleksy, Mike Ribeiro and Aaron Volpatti. Also participating are Caps public address announcer Wes Johnson, 106.7 The Fan’s John “Cakes” Auville, Eric Bickel, Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier. Money will be donated to Fuel Fund of Maryland for every day that a fan maintains his beard.

Fans who do not wish to or are unable to grow a playoff beard can participate by pledging a donation to their favorite Caps player, fan or media personality. For more information or to enroll in the Capitals’ Beard-A-Thon, log onto http://beardathon.com/capitals. The fan that raises the most money will win a Caps VIP Game Experience, which includes two tickets to a game during the 2013-14 season, a meet and greet with Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis and an autographed jersey from the player of their choice. All donations for the Capitals’ Beard-A-Thon are tax deductible.

Official Caps Viewing Parties at Hard Times Café
Fans are invited to attend the Official Caps Viewing Parties for each of the road games during round one. Game 3 will be held at Hard Times Café Clarendon, Game 4 at Hard Times Café Manassas and if necessary Game 6 will be held at the Hard Times Café Fairfax location. Fans will have a chance to win premium Caps giveaways at official viewing parties.

School Playoff Pep Rallies
The Washington Capitals will host pep rallies at local schools during each round of the playoffs while school is in session. Principals, teachers and students are encouraged to get their schools involved by emailing or tweeting photos of their schools rocking the red to show their Caps spirit. The Capitals will select a winning school each round to receive a pep rally featuring five stations to get the students excited to Rock the Red during the playoffs. Each student will have the opportunity to make signs to support the Caps in the playoffs, play in a street hockey scrimmage, take a photo with Caps mascot Slapshot, shoot slapshots on the Slapshot inflatable and take part in a hockey equipment demonstration. All participants will leave the Pep Rally with a Caps playoff T-shirt. Entries must be received at @CapsCR on Twitter or CapsPepRally@washcaps.com from teachers and school administers by 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, to participate.

“How Are You Rocking the Red” Contest
If “Rocking the Red” is what you do best, now is your opportunity to enter the “How Are You Rocking the Red” contest. The Caps mascot Slapshot is encouraging fans to submit photos to his Facebook page showing their decorated house, office work space, cars, kids, pets and even themselves. Just log onto Facebook.com/CapsSlapshot and share your image with Slapshot.

Watch and Listen
Games 1, 3, 4 and 5 will be televised exclusively on Comcast SportsNet in the Washington/Baltimore region, while Game 2 will air nationally on NBC. Games 1, 3 and 4 will also be televised to a national audience outside of the Washington/Baltimore region by NBC Sports Network. Television information for Games 6 and 7 will be announced at a later time along with the U.S. national television information for Game 5.

Comcast SportsNet will produce Capitals Postgame Live following every Caps playoff game through all rounds, regardless of the network carrying the game. Comcast will also present Capitals Central before every first-round game that is scheduled on Comcast SportsNet.

Stay Connected
MonumentalNetwork.com is your playoff information hub. Get the latest news and video from team practices, pregame show, interviews, live postgame news conferences, expert analysis and that latest viewing parting locations, contests and more.

SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 Washington vs. #6 NY Rangers Networks
Thursday, May 2 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington CSN, NBC Sports Network, TSN
Saturday, May 4 12:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington NBC, TSN
Monday, May 6 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers CSN, NBC Sports Network, TSN
Wednesday, May 8 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers CSN, NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Friday, May 10 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington CSN, TSN
*Sunday, May 12 TBD Washington at NY Rangers TBD
*Monday, May 13 TBD NY Rangers at Washington TBD

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Potomac Nationals Players Earn Carolina League Weekly Awards

April 24, 2013 by

Potomac Nationals LogoP-NATS SS JASON MARTINSON WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE CAROLINA LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD & RHP TAYLOR HILL EARNS CL PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS Potomac’s Jason Martinson and Taylor Hill Sweep Carolina League Weekly Awards

Woodbridge, VA—After a tremendous start to the 2013 campaign, Potomac Nationals shortstop Jason Martinson (5th Rd.,2010), a product of Texas State University, from Dallas, TX, has earned his second consecutive Carolina League’s Player of the Week Award for his production from April 15th through April 21st, the league announced today.

Martinson, the #14 prospect in the Washington Nationals Minor League system per Baseball America, entered the 4/15 week with a .303 (10-for-33) batting average, a .429 on base percentage, a .788 slugging percentage through nine games, with four home runs and 11 runs batted in.

Martinson continued his prowess at the plate into the next week by turning in a 10-for-28 performance with the bat, good for a .357 batting average in the week, while achieving an on-base percentage mark of .419, and a slugging percentage clip of .500.

The 24-year-old also cranked one double and one four-bagger, while collecting four RBIs, four runs scored, and three walks during his latest weekly tear.

The 6’1″, 190 pound Nationals prospect enters tonight’s contest with the Carolina Mudcats (Cleveland Indians) in Zebulon, NC tied for the Carolina League lead with 15 RBIs, a .635 slugging percentage, and 40 total bases. The offensive assassin is also tied for the circuit lead in home runs (5) and is 10th in the CL in batting (.317).

Sealing the sweep for Potomac in the league’s weekly awards, RHP Taylor Hill, after an absolute gem spun against the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles) in Game One of the doubleheader last Saturday on April 20th, was announced today as the winner of the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Award.

Hill, the 24-year-old whom Baseball America says has the “Best Control” in the Washington Nationals farm system, was selected in the 6th round in 2011 out of Vanderbilt University.

Hill, a native of Old Hickory, TN, is (3-0) on the season after a terrific pair of starts on April 15th at Salem and on April 20th vs. Frederick as he went (2-0) over the course of the week with victories over the Red Sox and Keys. He combined to pitch to a 0.69 earned run average over 13.0 innings in the two outings in which he surrendered just five total base hits, one earned run, zero home run balls, no hit batters, and one walk, while striking out eleven batters.

The only pitcher on the P-Nats staff with three victories, Hill dominated the Keys in his third start of the season tossing a one-hitter over seven shutout innings, and earning the complete game win.

The Nationals have now garnered three of the four Carolina League weekly awards in 2013.

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NATS/CHIEFS: Syracuse Chiefs Introduce New Birthday Perk for Fans

April 23, 2013 by

Syracuse Chiefs Press Release Header

SYRACUSE CHIEFS INTRODUCE NEW BIRTHDAY PERK FOR FANS
Chiefs are one of 22 teams to form partnership with HULEDET

Syracuse, NY–The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are pleased to announce that they will be partnering with HULEDET in order to give local fans a free ticket and hot dog for their birthday. HULEDET (http://www.HULEDET.com), a one-year old company based in New York City, partners with local and national companies to enable them to reward their loyal customers on their birthdays, and to bring in new customers with the incentive of a birthday perk.

As fans enter Chiefs home games this season, they will be given the opportunity to register to receive the birthday gift by simply providing their name, email address, birth month and day, and zip code. When the first day of their birthday month comes, they’ll receive an email from HULEDET giving them a free ticket and free hot dog voucher to use during their birthday month.

Fans with birthdays during the off season need not worry – they’ll get their gift from the team on their half birthday.

“We are very excited to work with HULEDET on this new promotion,” Chiefs general manager John Simone said. We look forward to offering a birthday present to each of our fans.”

The Chiefs are one of 22 minor league baseball teams who will be working with HULEDET during the 2013 season. Says HULEDET founder Michael Frankel, “We have seen great success with HULEDET at local restaurants and businesses, and we are excited to work with the Chiefs as we bring HULEDET gifts to sports fans around the country this spring.”

Fans may also join the Syracuse Chiefs birthday list online at http://www.HULEDET.com/SyracuseChiefs.

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Washington Redskins Announce 2013 Regular Season Schedule

April 18, 2013 by

The Washington Redskins announced Thursday night dates and times for their 2013 regular season schedule.

As expected, the (assumed) presence of Pro Bowl quarterback Robert Griffin III along with the fact that the team is coming off their first NFC East championship since 1999 meant the Redskins would be featured more in primetime in 2013. The schedule for the upcoming season is highlighted by a team-record of five nationally televised games, including the September 9th opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football”.

Here’s the full slate:

Week 1: Monday, September 9th – vs. Philadelphia Eagles (ESPN) – 7:10 p.m.

Week 2: Sunday, September 15th – at Green Bay Packers (FOX) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 3: Sunday, September 22nd – vs. Detroit Lions (FOX) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 4: Sunday, September 29th – at Oakland Raiders (FOX) – 4:25 p.m.

Week 5: BYE

Week 6:  Sunday, October 13th – at Dallas Cowboys (NBC) – 8:30 p.m.

Week 7 :  Sunday, October 20th – vs. Chicago Bears (FOX) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 8: Sunday, October 27th – at Denver Broncos (FOX) – 4:25 p.m.

Week 9: Sunday, November 3rd – vs. San Diego Chargers (CBS) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 10: Thursday, November 7th – at Minnesota Vikings (NFL Network) – 8:20 p.m.

Week 11: Sunday, November 17th – at Philadelphia Eagles (FOX) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 12:  Monday, November 25th – vs. San Fransisco 49ers (ESPN) – 8:30 p.m.

Week 13: Sunday, December 1st – vs. New York Giants (NBC) – 8:30 p.m.

Week 14: Sunday, December 8th – vs. Kansas City Chiefs (CBS) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 15: Sunday, December 15th – at Atlanta Falcons (FOX) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 16: Sunday, December 22nd – vs. Dallas Cowboys (FOX) – 1:00 p.m.

Week 17: Sunday, December 29th – at New York Giants (FOX) – 1:00 p.m.

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CAPS: Capitals Alumnus Alan May Hosts Hockey School at Manassas Park Elementary School

April 10, 2013 by
Washington Capitals alumnus Alan May instructs a student on stickhandling during a Washington Capitals Hockey School at Manassas Park Elementary School on April 5. The visit marked the team’s fourteenth assembly of the academic year. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals alumnus Alan May instructs a student on stickhandling during a Washington Capitals Hockey School at Manassas Park Elementary School on April 5. The visit marked the team’s fourteenth assembly of the academic year. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot instructs a Manassas Park Elementary School student on goaltending during a Hockey School program on April 5. Hockey School is a free instructional and interactive program that aims to expose students to floor hockey while teaching proper technique. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot instructs a Manassas Park Elementary School student on goaltending during a Hockey School program on April 5. Hockey School is a free instructional and interactive program that aims to expose students to floor hockey while teaching proper technique. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals alumnus Alan May leads his team in a chant prior to playing in a scrimmage against Slapshot’s boys team. Hockey School is a free instructional and interactive program that aims to expose students to floor hockey while teaching proper technique. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals alumnus Alan May leads his team in a chant prior to playing in a scrimmage against Slapshot’s boys team. Hockey School is a free instructional and interactive program that aims to expose students to floor hockey while teaching proper technique. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Capitals Alumnus Alan May Hosts Hockey School at Manassas Park Elementary School
As a child in Alberta, Canada, opportunities for Washington Capitals alumnus Alan May to play hockey depended on one stipulation: good grades.

“School was really important to be able to play hockey because if I didn’t bring home good grades, my parents wouldn’t let me play,” May recently told a group of 215 Manassas Park Elementary School students. “In order for me to get out of the house for my parents to let me play hockey I had to have really good grades in school. It’s pretty important, especially for kids who want to go to college.”

May, who played with the Capitals from 1989-94 as a left wing, was at the Manassas Park, Va., school for a Washington Capitals Hockey School.

Hockey School is a free instructional and interactive program that aims to expose students to floor hockey while teaching proper technique.

During the program May introduced students to hockey by sharing anecdotes about his experience playing hockey, including memories from the first time he played hockey as a three-year-old to highlights of his first professional hockey game.

Following a question and answer session, May demonstrated skills and offered one-on-one instruction to students on stickhandling, passing and shooting.
Students then played in a scrimmage with May and Capitals mascot Slapshot as their teammates.

“It was a very good group of kids – enthusiastic as always,” said May, who currently serves as Comcast SportsNet’s Capitals Analyst. “They had a lot of fun and seemed like they really love the game of hockey.”

At the conclusion of the visit, which was the team’s fourteenth assembly of the academic year, the Capitals donated a set of street hockey equipment to the school.

“It was awesome to have the Capitals come into the school,” said Manassas Park physical education teacher Ryan Bogner. “Now that we’ve received all this equipment from the Capitals – we’ve got goals, we’ve got goalie equipment, we’ve got sticks, pucks – we’re definitely going to be able to incorporate hockey more into our education curriculum.”

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NATS: Paul McCartney to perform at Nationals Park

April 5, 2013 by

The Washington Nationals released their 2013 NatsLive FREE postgame concert lineup on Wednesday.  Blues Traveler (June 8), Thompson Square (July 6), Gavin DeGraw (August 31) and Montgomery Gentry (September 21)  will all perform at Nationals Park after the games.

On Thursday, the even bigger announcement for live music at Nationals Park this summer is that Paul McCartney will be performing on July 12. The Nationals tweeted out this clue:

Official Press Release:

2013 NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Lineup
Blues Traveler, Thompson Square, Gavin DeGraw and Montgomery Gentry are scheduled to perform at Nationals Park during the 2013 season

The Washington Nationals announced today that Blues Traveler (June 8), Thompson Square (July 6), Gavin DeGraw (August 31) and Montgomery Gentry (September 21) will comprise the lineup for the 2013 NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Series following select Nationals home games throughout the summer.

“We are thrilled to be opening the NatsLive Concert Series for the Washington Nationals this year!” said John Popper, lead singer for Blues Traveler. “My visit to Nationals Park last season to perform God Bless America was so rewarding that I’m excited to return and bring the whole band with me.”

The performances will begin approximately 15 minutes after the final out of each Nationals game. Fans who wish to attend the free concerts must have a valid ticket for that day’s Nationals game, which can be purchased at nationals.com/NatsLive. The Double Play Giveaway & Concert Packs are also available at nationals.com/flex for those who want to ensure their seat for each of the four postgame concerts.

“As we saw last season, the summer experience just isn’t complete without baseball and outdoor concerts,” Nationals Chief Operating Officer Andrew Feffer said. “We’re excited for the return of the NatsLive Postgame Concert Series because it’s a great value for our fans – not only do they get to watch the 2012 NL East Champions take the field, but they’ll be able to see best-selling artists take the stage for free all summer long.”

BLUES TRAVELER: Saturday, June 8

Eighteen years after scoring the Grammy Award winning, harmonica laced Billboard Top Ten breakthrough hit that came to define pop music in the mid-90s, Blues Traveler is still finding unique ways to ensure that they don’t give their legion of worldwide fans the “Run-Around.” On their instantly infectious, musically expansive 11th studio album and 429 Records/SLG debut, Suzie Cracks The Whip, they remain creatively focused while dramatically expanding their musical horizons upon celebrating more than 25 years as a band.

THOMPSON SQUARE: Saturday, July 6

Thompson Square isn’t a real place, exactly. It’s the musical territory staked out by the husband-and-wife duo of Keifer and Shawna Thompson, an exciting and unpredictable area where country meets rock, rough meets smooth and one vagabond heart finds a harmonious common ground with another. Fans began getting to know their way around Stoney Creek Records’ Thompson Square with the release of their GRAMMY nominated #1 Platinum radio smash, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.” The 2011 iTunes’ Country Song of the Year became the Most Played Song in Country Radio (Mediabase), reached the top of the Billboard Heat Seekers Chart and spent five consecutive weeks at #1 on the Country Digital Soundscan chart and 12 consecutive weeks as the #1 Country Ringtone.

GAVIN DEGRAW: Saturday, August 31

Singer, songwriter and musician Gavin DeGraw has enjoyed great success since breaking though in 2003 with his debut album, Chariot, which sold more than a million copies, earned platinum certification and yielded the hit singles “I Don’t Want To Be,” “Follow Through,” and the title-track, “Chariot.” He followed that up with his self-titled second album, which debuted at No. 1. on the digital sales chart and at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in 2008, earning Gavin his first Top 10 album and spawning the hit singles, “In Love With A Girl,” and the gold-certified “We Belong Together.” In 2009, he released Free, a gift to die-hard fans clamoring for recorded versions of his live favorites.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY: Saturday, September 21

With a new album, a new label and a renewed sense of musical purpose, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry are poised to stake their claim as one of country music’s all-time greatest duos. The pair’s new collection, the aptly titled Rebels On The Run, brings Montgomery Gentry fans back to the beginning, but with a fresh attitude. Eddie and Troy’s latest effort will likely be remembered as their best album since the two Kentucky boys first busted onto the national scene in 1999 with the defiant “Hillbilly Shoes.” Since then, the hard driving duo has had 14 Top 10 singles, including five No. 1′s, “Something To Be Proud Of,” “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me.”

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Washington Redskins Announce 2013 Preseason Opponents

April 4, 2013 by

The Washington Redskins have announced their 2013 preseason opponents. Though the order of the games have been determined, specific dates and times for three of the four matchups are to be announced at a later date.

The team will open their preseason slate on the road against the Tennessee Titans between Aug. 8-11, then return home on Aug. 19 for a nationally televised game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on ESPN at 8 p.m. They’ll then have another home tilt against the Buffalo Bills between Aug. 23-25 before concluding the exhibition season on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers between Aug 29-31.

Every game with the exception of the Steelers matchup will be broadcast on NBC4/Comcast SportsNet.

Despite the uncertainty of whether or not quarterback Robert Griffin III would see any action in the preseason, the Redskins still managed to draw a nationally televised game.  With a dynamic player such as Griffin and with the team coming off its first NFC East championship since 1999, it’s expected that they’ll receive more national exposure in 2013.

The NFL will announce its regular season schedule later this month.

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NATS/P-NATS: Potomac Nationals Home Opener, April 5

April 4, 2013 by

Potomac Nationals Opening Day 2013 at Pfitzner Stadium is Friday, April 5th as the P-Nats host the defending Carolina League Champion, Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta Braves) at 7:05pm. Gates to The Pfitz will open at 6:00pm.

Potomac Nationals LogoPOTOMAC NATIONALS UNVEIL 2013 OPENING DAY ROSTER
New P-Nats skipper, Brian Daubach, to lead 13 returning players and 15 newcomers

Woodbridge, VA—Enter the 2013 Potomac Nationals Opening Day Roster. With first pitch of the 36th campaign in Potomac franchise history less than one week away, the P-Nats have unveiled their official roster to begin the 2013 Carolina League season.

First-year Nationals field manager, Brian Daubach, a former World Series Champion with the Boston Red Sox, in his third year within the Washington Nationals Minor League system after the last two seasons leading the Class-A Hagerstown Suns, is tasked with mentoring 13 returning players and 15 fresh faces on the Potomac roster. Daubach led Hagerstown to winning records in each of his two seasons at the helm and took the Suns to a South Atlantic League playoff appearance for the first time since 2005.

Former Major League veteran, Chris Michalak, will oversee a 13-man pitching stable that includes potential starters: RHP A.J. Cole, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Taylor Jordan, RHP Taylor Hill, and LHP Kylin Turnbull.

Cole (4th Rd., 2010) was signed for a MLB Draft fourth round record, $2 million bonus out of Oviedo High School in Florida, and showed flashed of brilliance (staff-best 108 strikeouts in 89.0 innings) with Class-A Hagerstown in 2011 before being packaged with C Derek Norris, RHP Brad Peacock, and LHP Tommy Milone in a trade to the Oakland Athletics that netted the Washington Nationals 2012 20-game winner, LHP Gio Gonzalez. Then, in the swap that shipped LF Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners this off-season, the Nationals re-acquired Cole in a three-team deal with the Oakland which instantly put Cole back on Washington’s prospect radar for 2013 (Baseball America and MLB.com Prospect #4). When in sync, Cole dominates his opposition with a steady diet of mid to upper 90’s fastballs and a budding slider that he continues to refine.

Ray (12th Rd., 2010), an exciting southpaw slinger, who owned a 3.13 earned run average over 20 starts with Class-A Hagerstown in 2011, looks to rebound from an arduous 2012 ledger. Ray, MLB.com’s #10 Washington Nationals prospect, who was signed away by Washington from a commitment to play college baseball at Arkansas, fanned 95 batters in 89.0 innings pitched just two seasons ago, and looks to build on his three-pitch arsenal and crafty potential.

Jordan (9th Rd., 2009) had a successful comeback season in 2012 following Tommy John surgery. Jordan was terrific for Hagerstown in 2011 with a 9-4 record and petite 2.48 ERA before his injury sidelined his track. The powerful right-hander went 3-4 with a 4.05 ERA in 9 starts last year to build his strength back and feel comfortable using his entire repertoire in preparation for the 2013 season. Jordan enters this year’s P-Nats slate as the 17th ranked Washington Nationals prospect by MLB.com.

Hill (6th Rd., 2011) found success in 2012 over both Class-A affiliates pitching to an 11-7 record and walking only 34 batters in 139.1 innings pitched. Hill pitched to contact but many of those balls were bounced on the ground and found the gloves per his 1.18 groundball-to-flyball ratio. Hill was promoted to Potomac in late August after going 10-6 over 24 appearances and 20 starts with the Suns. Hill saw action in three starts over 15.0 innings and finished the season 1-1 in the Carolina League. A true strike-thrower, Hill was honored by Baseball America with the Best Control designation with regards to all Nationals farm arms.

Turnbull (4th Rd., 2011) brings with him plenty of hype. MLB.com’s 17th ranked Washington Nationals prospect signed late in 2012 and began his full-season MiLB career in Hagerstown after a four-outing stint with the Gulf Coast League Nationals. A projectable southpaw that throws flames, Turnbull covets consistency in 2013 after registering a 4-5 record and 5.16 ERA in 18 appearances, 17 of those starts, a season ago. The ceiling is high for Turnbull if he can exhibit control and command with his secondary pitches, a developing slider and emerging splitter combination that could prove deadly for Carolina League opposition if he can get them over for strikes. Turnbull has a big frame and will look to maximize his very live arm that pumps heaters as high up as the mid-90s.

Potomac’s lone returning right-handed bullpen arm is Robert Gilliam, a former Oakland farmhand exchanged in the Gio Gonzalez trade, who will begin his 2013 season inactive following 36.0 innings logged with the P-Nats in which he garnered 30 strikeouts.

Nationals returning left-handed pitchers in the bullpen feature Paul Applebee, who will begin the season inactive after earning a 2-1 record in 13 appearances in 2012, Matt Grace, winner of a team-high nine games last season for Potomac, and Josh Smoker, a 2007 compensation 1st round draft pick who will also start the season inactive after just two trips to the bump for the P-Nats in 2012.

Promoted to Class-A Advanced Potomac in 2013, RHP Colin Bates, will join the P-Nats ‘pen after tossing lights out in Hagerstown where he went 8-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 29 relief outings.

LHP Ben Hawkins was terrific pitching out of the Suns bullpen as he racked up 57 strikeouts in 58.1 innings pitched while maintaining a 3-3 record and a 3.55 ERA in 30 trips to the mound.

RHP Greg Holt was a model of consistency in Hagerstown with a 5-2 record while holding opposing batters to a stingy .233 batting average.

LHP Christian Meza was arguably the most dominant force out of the Hagerstown bullpen in 2012. Meza was tied for the ‘pen lead with 8 wins and sported an anemic 2.97 ERA in 33 relief appearances and three spot starts. Meza held opposing sticks to a tiny .208 batting clip while collecting 94 strikeouts in 88.0 innings pitched with just 37 walks. Meza only received a losing decision once in 2012.

RHP Richie Mirowski was a stud relief asset for Hagerstown going undefeated in 16 bullpen trips to the mound. Mirowski overwhelmed Sally League swatters to the tune of 28 K’s in 27.0 innings and finished the ’12 campaign with a 2.00 ERA.

RHP Tyler Herron joins the Washington Nationals after a 2012 tenure spent with the independent Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks of the American Association following an arm injury in 2011. Herron, a former 1st round MLB draft pick selected 46th overall in 2005 by the St. Louis Cardinals, last pitched in affiliated baseball in 2009 with the Double-A Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates) where he fanned 18 batters in 26.0 innings but held a 4.50 ERA in eight appearances and four stars. Herron, a former Baseball America Top-10 St. Louis Cardinals prospect, will look to regain the prominence that enticed the Cards to offer him a $675,000 signing bonus.

RHP Derek Self makes the springboard jump from the Short-season-A Auburn Doubledays to Potomac as a strong closer candidate after shutting down opposing New York Penn League hitters to a .260 batting average against to complement a whopping 14 saves in 15 save opportunities, which was tied for the most saves in the circuit. Self boasted a 3.27 ERA and a 3.13 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

P-Nats hitting coach, Mark Harris, back for his second season overall with the P-Nats, who led the Hagerstown hackers in 2012, will mentor a potent starting lineup this season with Potomac.

The human backstops for the P-Nats in 2013 feature former Baseball America top-25 prospect, C Adrian Nieto, who competed for Team Spain in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The Cuban-born switch-hitter bashed to a .257 batting clip with six home runs and 39 runs batted in over the course of 70 games for Hagerstown in 2012; results that yielded his best professional season. Nieto caught over 30 percent of would-be base stealers in the Sally League last season (20 caught stealing in 66 base swipe attempts) and returns to the Class-A Advanced level after a two-game stint with the P-Nats in 2011.

Also in competition for time behind the dish, C Cole Leonida joins the Nationals after displaying his pop on the South Atlantic League circuit. Platooning with Nieto in Hagerstown last year, Leonida ripped seven doubles, a pair of triples, and four long balls while producing 24 RBIs in 56 contests. Leonida cut down 24 runners in 86 stolen base attempts good for a punch-out percentage of 28%.

The Potomac infield is set for vast power potential and terrific defense. A converted outfielder-to-infielder, 1B Kevin Keyes returns to the Pfitzner Stadium diamond after cranking a team-high 21 homers while driving in a club-best 78 runs. Keyes’ imposing .459 slugging percentage and .749 OPS make him a premier power threat in 2013. Keyes will look to round up his .223 batting average while still squaring up balls that find the gaps as he belted 27 doubles last year.

2B Adrian Sanchez will return to man the right side of Daubach’s infield where he earned a .972 fielding percentage and committed only 10 errors in 76 games at second base. Sanchez owned a solid .269 batting average in 2012 over 101 games and his 101 hits ranked 2nd on the team. Finding real estate often, the durable speedster wreaked havoc on the basepaths stealing 25 bags in 41 tries for the 2nd most swipes in the Potomac clubhouse.

SS/3B Jason Martinson had a career season in 2012 splitting his time between Hagerstown and Potomac. Martinson, MLB.com’s Nationals #20 prospect, hit .245 between the two Nationals affiliates with 123 base hits, 104 runs scored, 22 four-baggers, 106 RBIs, and Martinson stole 30 bases. Martinson’s 2012 .770 OPS swells his bam-box potential at The Pfitz and he projects to be a hallmark in the middle of Daubach’s lineup card.

SS/3B Blake Kelso brings his diverse skill set back to Potomac where he stole the most bases on the squad (27) and collected 107 total bases. Kelso was tied for 2nd on the club with 51 runs scored, and defensively owned a .976 fielding percentage in 100 games committing only 8 errors in 338 total chances while turning 32 double plays at second base, shortstop, and third base.

Infielder Cutter Dykstra, son of former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies great, Lenny Dykstra, and MiLB.com 2012 Organizational All-Star, ripped at a .291 pace last season in 110 games in Hagerstown, while connecting for 28 doubles, seven home runs, and 64 RBIs. Supplementing the fleet feet of the P-Nats roster, Dykstra took 32 bags in 35 attempts last season, good for 2nd most on the club.

Potomac Nationals veteran utility man, Francisco Soriano returns to The Pfitz to begin his fourth consecutive campaign with the P-Nats. Soriano, a fan favorite, served the Nationals well in 2012 with a consistent .270 batting average over 87 games with 44 runs scored, 11 doubles, six triples, 40 walks, and 12 stolen bases. Soriano made appearances at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, center field, and right field, and collectively, had a .961 fielding percentage (11 errors in 74 games).

Potomac is poised for a terrific outfield template with a unique combination of speed, power, on-base consistency, and rangy defense.

Outfielder Michael Taylor, MLB.com’s #5 ranked Nationals prospect, who some have said is a future center fielder contender for the Washington Nationals, returns to Woodbridge following a well-rounded 2012. Taylor, the club’s everyday center fielder, led the team with 33 doubles, while drawing 40 walks (tied for the team lead), and 19 stolen bases. Baseball America has tabbed Taylor as the Nationals farmhand with the “Best Tools” in the categories of Best Defensive Outfielder and Best Outfield Arm. It is Taylor’s unique blend of speed, quickness, range factor, power, and a keen hitters’ eye that makes him a key piece of the Potomac Nationals’ arsenal.

LF Caleb Ramsey, who was a Sally League All-Star in 2012, served as the best all-around hitter with respect to contact and pop for the Hagerstown Suns in 2012. Ramsey batted .294 in 127 games, stomped on home plate 78 times and led the team with 136 hits. Ramsey’s southpaw stick got red hot with runners in scoring position and two outs as he logged a .314 batting average in that situation. Ramsey’s 66 RBIs were 4th best on the club, and he was also 2nd in the league with 10 triples.

CF Billy Burns had a breakout season in 2012 in the SAL posting a .322 batting clip, 3rd best in the league, in 113 games, while running circles around the basepaths with 38 stolen bases. Burns was on base all the time finishing with a .432 OBP, 2nd best in the SAL landscape. Baseball America has dubbed Burns as the Fastest Baserunner in Washington’s organization.

RF Randolph Oduber competed in the ’13 WBC as Team Netherlands embarked on an underdog run deep into the tournament. Oduber was injured for a portion of the ’12 campaign with Potomac but salvaged his season with a respectable .252 batting average in 80 games along with 13 doubles, four triples, five home runs, and 27 RBIs. Oduber also grooved station-to-station for 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts.

P-NATS 2013 OPENING DAY ROSTER

ACTIVE 25-MAN ROSTER

(Listed alphabetically by position)

Pitchers (13)
Colin Bates
A.J. Cole
Matt Grace
Ben Hawkins
Tyler Herron
Taylor Hill
Gregory Holt
Taylor Jordan
Christian Meza
Richard Mirowski
Robbie Ray
Derek Self
Kylin Turnbull

Catchers (2)
Cole Leonida
Adrian Nieto

Infielders (6)
Cutter Dykstra
Blake Kelso
Kevin Keyes
Jason Martinson
Adrian Sanchez
Francisco Soriano

Outfielders (4)
Billy Burns
Randolph Oduber
Caleb Ramsey
Michael Taylor

INACTIVE ROSTER (3)

-Paul Applebee
-Robert Gilliam
-Josh Smoker

Potomac Nationals Opening Day 2013 at Pfitzner Stadium is Friday, April 5th as the P-Nats host the defending Carolina League Champion, Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta Braves) at 7:05pm. Gates to The Pfitz will open at 6:00pm.

For all three games of Opening Weekend from April 5th through Sunday, April 7th, the first 1,000 fans in attendance for each contest will receive a P-Nats 2013 Magnet Schedule presented by: Quinn’s Goldsmith. In addition, the best fireworks show in Northern Virginia will be on display following Saturday night’s 6:35pm game. Then, on Family Day at The Pfitz Sunday afternoon, a 1:05pm first pitch will usher in Kids Eat Free sponsored by: Little Caesars Team Dumfries & Haymarket as kids 12 and under will receive a free slice of pizza courtesy of Little Caesars. Kids Run the Bases will take place after the ballgame.

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