NatsU has been indefinitely postponed due to the day/night doubleheader with the Braves caused by a previous rainout. Those who already bought tickets will be automatically refunded. No ETA on a makeup date is available at this time. Bummer!

Wow, look, a Baseball 101 photo from RFK days! (Last year’s Nats U at Nats Park)

Anyway, Nats U is returning again for the annual day women get to take to the field, bullpen and batting cages for a day of instruction and fun. It starts at 10 AM on July 21st and again begins with breakfast. Included in the two price level cost is a ticket to the game (Scoreboard $50 or PNC Diamond Club $150) that night and the postgame concert by the Wallflowers (yay!). The $50 ticket also includes a $10 concession voucher.

Other perks should be forthcoming, such as getting to watch BP from behind the dugout and a happy hour (and now I see the ticket page has been updated with that information as I hit publish…). I guarantee the day is a blast and worth it.

Tickets can be purchased now at nationals.com/natsu

Well, poop, I found the embed code, but apparently the answer is no, you can’t.

There has been lots of chatter about Michael Morse’s “Beast Mode” shirt this season and much love for his use of A-Ha’s “Take On Me” in about every other at bat. Well, now you get to revel in it with a bit of Morse rapping too. LOVE!

According to the blog post, the clip will air on “Hoppus On Music” at 11 PM tonight on Fuse, which I just learned in channel 716 on my FiOS system. *If* the game ends by 11 at Baseball on the Barn tonight, maybe we can flip over to it!

I had no idea what to expect, but am very relieved to report no wardrobe malfunctions occurred! Part of the Dream Foundation package was field passes and watching the game from the Presidents Club, which in itself is pretty darn awesome. While on the field, we had our photo taken with second baseman, Danny Espinosa (who I complimented, but fear jinxed since he didn’t hit too well that game). Then we wined and dined and made it to our seats for the start of the game. I only had one glass to try to help how nervous I was getting. I didn’t want to run to the wrong base or something with more. I also had learned my run would be timed and even if I didn’t make it in the allotted 30 seconds, I’d still get to keep the base, of course.

Wait! 30 seconds?! Have you seen how far it is from the center field wall to 2nd base?! I thought ok, maybe I can do it since I’ll be empty handed on my sprint out.

Wrong! I was escorted through the “bowels” of Nats Park past the bullpen (which had a garage-style door rolled up and I could see into) “Ooh, can I stop and snap a photo?!” (no, no time) to the holding pen where the racing presidents enter the field in the middle of the 4th. I spotted a shiny clean base on the floor up against the wall. Uh oh, what’s that for? All the better to run with, my dear! As I would learn later.

Let me tell you, you cannot see a thing from behind the outfield wall. I had no idea what inning it was, how many outs there were — nothing! You can’t even see the jumbotron. Once I gathered it was the top of the 3rd, every time the crowd cheered, I guessed another out was made (although, even that is hard to gauge given how many visiting fans come to Nats Park). Entertainment director Tom Davis joined us and confirmed each out and I was relieved to hear they upped the time to 45 seconds. The PA guy asked via walkie-talkie, “What if she doesn’t make it in 45 seconds? What do I say?” and Tom replied, “she’ll make it.” showing more confidence than I was feeling in myself as a very sporadic and admittedly lazy runner (but former — very former triathlete).

“One more out, get ready!” Davis announced. He, two Nat Pack girls and I huddled behind the hidden door in the outfield wall and I mentally entered “the zone”, tuning out almost everything else except my single focus on when I was told to “go” and the base oh so far away in front of me and the heavier-than-it-looks awkward clean one in my arms (I’ve been told they weigh just over 14 pounds, plus have a pole sticking out the bottom). I heard the PA announcer, but didn’t really pay attention to what he was saying. Once I was told to go, I tried to take off like a shot (and ever so gracefully nearly tripped) and then my focus was entirely singular, except for one thing…

YOU NATSTOWN!! I heard you! The cheers penetrated my “zone” and fueled me on. I wondered if the players are unable to tune out the cheering as well and if we cheered more as a whole, would the team fare better? Well that thought flitted through my mind briefly with what little thought I was able to have, anyway. Oh, this distance is pretty far…. Almost there… Wonder how much time is left? Glad I pulled those hanger straps off my shirt so they don’t flop out… Turn around… 17 seconds left. I can make it… Whoa, those cameras sure can do a close-up (as I peeked at the jumbotron)! Thank goodness holding this base covers my belly….

I admit, I slowed up as I neared the finish line since I could clearly see how much time was left on the scoreboard and knew I’d make it. Whew! Was I faster than a speeding Coffey? That was my main goal!

So thank you NatsTown for the energetic cheering and support! Loved it! Also, apparently I was a guinea pig and the organization would like to do more of these. So stay tuned on how you too may possibly be able to run on the field during a game without getting tackled or tazed by security. For now, I have the glowing feeling of being the first non-employee to ever run on the field at Nats Park during a game with permission. Kinda cool.

On the way back, I did get that shot of the bullpen from the tunnel, and bullpen coach Jim Lett gave me a thumbs up and said, “nice running, Cathy!” Awesome sauce.

Many thanks to the Dream Foundation and especially Vera, who coordinated this for us, Danny Espinosa for being so nice, and my husband who I know really wanted to be the one who ran on the field but let me do it instead. And hey, the game was the first of a 3-game winning streak for the Nats. Coincidence? I think not!

Stealing 2nd: Wait? I have to run out with a base too?!

Stealing 2nd: Can’t see a thing waiting for 3rd out

Stealing 2nd: Waving to the crowd (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: Here we go! (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: Faster than a speeding Coffey (but getting pooped)

Stealing 2nd: Smiling! No security tackle so far!

Stealing 2nd: Waving to the crowd before I begin

Stealing 2nd: (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: Dropping new base about to pull up used base

Stealing 2nd: (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: Here we go part 2!

Stealing 2nd: (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd:

Stealing 2nd: (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: I heard you NatsTown! Your cheering was awesome! (Courtesy of Cheryl Nichols)

Stealing 2nd: Success!

Stealing 2nd: Passing bullpen on return to seats, coach Jim Lett gives me a thumbs up

 

May I say, I have a pretty good pitching arm! My hitting, however, not so much. Pat Corrales chided me for imitating Michael Morse’s pre-batting leg kick since I completely whiffed my bat over the ball after doing it. “Do your own thing that you’re comfortable with.” My next one, sans the batting-stance-girl imitation, was a solid line drive.

I’ve heard they’re showing a highlight video of the event on the scoreboard occasionally between innings. Well, ok, I’ve heard they showed it once. I sure hope they show it again since I wasn’t at that game!

Nats U 2011: Mimosas and breakfast before taking the field

Nats U 2011: Heading down to the field after breakfast

Nats U 2011: Partial group photo (thankfully taken before we get all sweaty!)

Nats U 2011: Partial group photo (thankfully taken before we get all sweaty!)

Nats U 2011: Partial group photo (thankfully taken before we get all sweaty!)

Nats U 2011: Coaches introduced

Nats U 2011: Coaches introduced

Nats U 2011: Coaches introduced (pitching coach Steve McCatty)

Nats U 2011: Coaches introduced (bullpen coach Lett)

Nats U 2011: Coaches introduced (3B coach Bo Porter)

Nats U 2011: Coaches introduced (bench coach Pat Corrales)

Nats U 2011: Trainer Mike McGowan comes on field to warm up the ladies

Nats U 2011: Warming up

Nats U 2011: For Jenn

Nats U 2011: McCatty gives instruction in the bullpen – first station we hit

Nats U 2011: In the bullpen

Nats U 2011: Fielding and throwing drills on the field

Nats U 2011: Batting practice

Nats U 2011: Batting practice

Nats U 2011: Batting practice

Nats U 2011: Batting practice

Nats U 2011: Amanda eyes the shortness of the tee

Nats U 2011: Pat Corrales gives Amanda personal instruction

Nats U 2011: Batting practice

Nats U 2011: Batting practice

Nats U 2011: Batting practice

Nats U 2011: This gets me every time – painted on tunnel to dugout’s wall

Nats U 2011:

Nats U 2011: Speaker panel after field – Adam Cromie

Nats U 2011: Speaker panel after field – Bo Porter with Joanna from Eastern Women’s Baseball Conference

 

During the Dream Gala live auction, I was busy chit chatting while my husband actually bid on something. I wasn’t even paying attention. Normally, live auction items get so expensive that we end up priced out of the cool stuff. Although, I’m a shark when it comes to the silent auction tables.

Anyway, surprisingly, he won a “Stealing Second Base” experience and it will come to fruition tomorrow night. We get to wine and dine in the Presidents Club. Then before the top of the 4th inning, we will go out on the field with the grounds crew and walk away with the removed 2nd base, which will later by autographed by (upcoming rookie of the year!) second baseman Danny Espinosa. Suh-weet!

Ok, so maybe the base won’t be stolen as in a theft. And maybe we won’t be running from first to second during game action. But still… it’s fun and I’m super excited.

However, as Mr. Chatter has been arranging this, during the last phone call he was informed they’re going to make a *big deal* about it on the field and now I’m a little embarrassed/terrified. So uh, I guess if you’re at the game tomorrow, watch for us on the scoreboard or something? I’ll give my best Miss Iowa wave to the crowd. But now I think I have to dress especially cool for this. Beast mode shirt? Generic jersey? Evening gown? (Ha, kidding on that one!). Help?

I’ve always been a promoter and advocate of the Nationals charitable and community involvement efforts. I guess I’ll just try to view this as another step in that direction.

And woo! Think of the photos I’ll get from the prez club!

I’m torn between liking the brutal honesty and the appearance that Johnson takes these losses personally. On the other hand, part of me cringes at the same time because his facial expressions and tone in the moment after the game made it seem like he was throwing Zimmermann, usually a solid pitcher, under a bus. Instead of using typical phrases like, “sometimes a pitcher doesn’t have a feel for the ball, but Zimmermann’s an outstanding young pitcher and I’m confident he’ll bounce back for his next start,” he used, well, something else.

Do the players need this kind of tough love with high expectations? Or is this something that can cause some resentment in the clubhouse? Who knows….

Video here on masnsports.com | Transcript below

Debbi: Davey, starting with Jordan Zimmermann, I know he’s a tough kid, but that had to have affected his pitching after he was hit…

DJ: Well, I mean, the thing that bothered me the most that whole ballgame is I’m not one over my whole career with good young pitchers, good arms, and I have a couple guys in scoring position, I’ve got a base open – if he gets ahead of the guy, I don’t expect him to make bad pitches. I expect him to hit; the hitters got to hit a pitch off the plate. A nasty pitch. And he hung a slider right down the middle. It was flat and drove in two runs and uh or drove in a run. And then the squeeze – didn’t cover first. Those things upset me. I mean, I thought he battled and maybe he didn’t have his best stuff, but the one thing, when you’ve got two strikes on a hitter, you just basically don’t give them a cookie. There’s a lot of times during the course of the year I have situations in the middle of the lineup where I definitely don’t want to have to give in and give a really good hitter a pitch to hit. But that was the toughest thing tonight that got me the most.

Debbi: Some opportunities that were missed – you know, you look at Jerry Hairston, and that was aggressive getting thrown out at 2nd base and a couple other things.

DJ: Well, you know Jerry swung the bat great all night and you got to try to make it. The ball, unfortunately it came right back to them. It’s going away from us and he makes a perfect throw. I know he’s out and I know if there was any doubt, Jerry would have been out there arguing till the sun went down. I didn’t see it on the replay, but the ball beat him easy, so I figured that he was out. But uh, just breaks. We battled hard, I was proud of the team, we kept battling and right back in the ballgame. That big run we gave up tot he bottom of the order again with Coffey, so I’m just, you know, a lot of things bad happen.

Debbi: Michael Morse though, I mean, he’s just been really rock solid out there. How well is he swinging the bat right now?

DJ: He’s unbelievable. He’s on fire. Everything he hits hard. I don’t think they hit him on purpose in the last inning. You don’t put the tying run on with some guys who can go out of the yard. I think they were trying to pitch him in but you know, it’s just a tough game. I liked the offense. Didn’t like our pitching as much.

Q: Davey, was there something with Jordan that was different tonight that you could pinpoint?

DJ: Well, the one thing he was doing that I hadn’t noticed before is, you know and I guess he gets in the habit sometimes, his elbow was dropping on his breaking ball. The elbow was coming here [gesturing] and it was flat. Didn’t do it all the time, but the one time he really did it was to Barmes with the guys on 2nd, 3rd and two strikes. He just threw a flat slider right down the heart. But he’ll learn. I mean, he’s a young pitcher, got a great future, but those kinds of mistakes are hard to stomach.

Q: Do you mean the at bat with Barmes – the 2nd at bat before the squeeze play?

DJ: Yeah, you know, I mean any other situation with the catcher coming up 7th hitting .250, if he gets ahead of him, you know make a good pitch and get him out. If he doesn’t, walk him and try for the double play. But then you have to give in to the hitter and he needs to learn how to do that.

It’s the date I look forward to every year, Nats U for women (formerly Baseball 101) at Nationals Park! This year’s event will take place this Saturday, July 9th, at 10 AM and includes a ticket for the Nats vs. Rockies game that night. There are two ticket options this year – $50 for outfield reserved seating for the game or $150 for an upgrade to the PNC Diamond Club (includes food and draft beer/ house wine).

Women get on-field, in-bullpen and in-batting cage instruction from Nats coaches for a couple hours. No matter your skill level, there is something for everyone! Best of all, the event provides and exclusive opportunity to test your baseball skills on the MLB field itself. Prior to the evening’s game, there will be a Nats U happy hour as well.

Even better, the date is the same as the HEIST at Nationals Park, so some baseball Twitter friends from the New York area will be joining in the fun! Can’t wait! See you there?

Purchase Tickets Here