Acta A Big Hit At Big Train Baseball

June 22, 2009

[ Photoset ] Last night was Nationals Night at Povich Field for Big Train Baseball, featuring manager Manny Acta and his non-profit, impACTA Kids Foundation, as well as Phil Wood and author Jim Hartley. The first 500 attendees were awarded a Manny Acta bobblehead (just don’t say the bobblehead resembles Julian Tavarez!), surely a unique collector’s item! All 500 disappeared quickly as the stadium played host to over 800 autograph seekers, t-shirt buyers, and college baseball game watchers (Big Train won, by the way). The bobbleheads were sponsored by TMS Move (who fans may know more as “Jimmy’s Parents”), Washington Parent Magazine, and nonprofit Bethesda Cares.

Being Father’s Day, much of Manny’s family was in attendance helping out with the impACTA Kids table. Many of the regular fans from around this neck of the blogosphere made the trip out as well and it was great to see familiar faces! The autograph line swelled beyond the entrance and maintained a steady flow for hours. Acta is known for his patience with the young Nationals team, and also displays that patience when it comes to fans. I don’t think the word “patience” does justice to it, actually. Manny really seems to enjoy interacting with fans and makes sure no one goes home disappointed. He did not leave the table until long after nightfall and every last person had gone through the line who wanted. Just when I thought the line would end, more fans appeared.

Jimmy got a real treat when Manny posed with his little league team!

Posted in Washington Nationals