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

Sure, his session was still full of cliches, but delivered in an endearing manner and always giving props to his teammates, both pitchers and position players (they’re all hitters). He also admitted he can never turn down an autograph or hand shake, so chooses to wear headphones with music as his subtle way of letting people know he’s not willing to be distracted at the moment, generally while preparing for a start. Starting pitchers are funny like that – teammates don’t usually talk to them in the dugout between innings during their start and media do not talk to them before the game.

Another tidbit Gio revealed is that he does not want scouting information on hitters he’s facing. If he knows a hitter generally misses one particular spot, he will try to be too perfect hitting that one spot. He prefers to let his catcher, who knows the hitters and their strengths/weaknesses, do the studying and call the best game he can. “If I give up a homerun, it’s on my catcher. It’s not on me.” Ha.

Thanks to a tip from a little birdie, as well as questions from the audience, he broke away from the cliches. Did you know Gio gets his hair cut before every start? That’s a hair cut every 5 days, even on the road. No wonder his hair is so short!

Thanks to doubleuefwhy for manning my Flip cam so I didn’t look like a doofus holding it up while asking a question.

Video (YouTube):

In my day job, if I were to get hit by a truck while scootering to the office, the other person on my team would likely get my “Lead” role by default. Good for him. Bad for me. I’ve been wearing more safety gear lately just in case no matter how hot it is.

In baseball, injuries both break and make careers in an odd yin and yang sort of way. No one wants to cheer an injury with the knowledge the only reason a player is “in the show” is because somebody else got hurt. The mere fact of it guiltily steals a little of the natural joy and elation brought by promotion.

Remember when Jesus Flores was a promising young everyday catcher? He was one of my favorite players and I was crushed when his shoulder injury sidelined him from play. And then sidelined him again. And again. While he underwent surgeries and rehab, another promising young catcher, Wilson Ramos, replaced him by necessity and largely lived up to the duties required of him. He became a beloved player too. As time went on without Flores in the starting role, it became clear Wilson had earned retention of that position. Good for Ramos, not so good for Flores, who became the default backup catcher. I still felt Flores deserved a starting position and while I’d hate to see him go, hoped maybe he’d be traded to a team who would use him in that role after he worked so hard to return.

Yet with the twist of a knee, now Ramos is out and Flores is in the every day role. The injury is crushing for Ramos. Will he return to the starting role next season? Or will the seesaw now stay tipped in Flores’ favor long-term now? Injuries are harbingers of tragedy and triumph, but triumph without elation.

With the rash of injuries so far this season, a groundswell of fans (including me) have been clamoring for Davey to play the kids over bench players on a regular basis. This isn’t to discount the regulars like Werth, but more in response to putting a young guy in as opposed to say, Xavier Nady. Welcome Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore to the show! While it’s exciting to get a chance to see the up and comers play, Werth’s broken wrist was disastrous. Yin. Yang. Then there was the one kid who came up to play backup catcher, but poor Sandy Leon ended up experiencing both the elation of promotion and devastation of injury on the same day. During his MLB debut, Leon sprained his ankle in a collision at the plate.

As Tyler Moore said during blogger day, being one of those kids who is up because of injuries, “It’s been fun but at the same time you hate it for those guys because they work so hard in the offseason and spring trianing. It gets into the depth we have. You hate to see that happen, but at the same time team just keeps going.”

Injuries have been a major part of the game forever, although the Nats seem particularly affected this year (and every other year, but really moreso this year). Yes, the beat goes on and the games much continue. It’s such a shame that the eagerness of seeing a prospect make his debut, not to mention said prospect’s own joy at promotion is tampered by the fact that someone got hurt to afford the opportunity.

The more fans who RSVP, the better the seat upgrade. I say we overwhelm them and end up in the Prez Club. What say you?

The Nats will reward fans who arrive early with prizes and offer additional pre-game games and activities.

So if you aren’t already following @Nationals, do so now to stay tuned.

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!