when will we know what the stadium will be called? it seems like most stadiums have their corporate name 2 years in advance, we are closing in on opening day and no name. whats the deal???

Kasten it would be simply called Nationals Park this year, with a corporate sponsor probably entering the picture in 09.

But he was working on a story, Manny. :)

Maybe more appropriate (if appropriate at all) on the prior thread but the conversations re: Screech's hygiene and minor league affiliates made me think of my last trip to see the Lynchburg Hillcats (Carolina League, plays the PoNats). They had a promotion with the Fleets Enema company - a major area employer - at which they handed out Eneman mascots. Cute little squeezable rubber figures with tall pointy hats. I invite anyone to google Eneman or Colossal Colon or Colon Club and see the possible virtues of having a franchise in Lynchburg.

PS - I do respect the good work that Fleets and these non-profits do to combat colon cancer. Not denigrating the cause or the people. It's just that the mascot is a little offbeat.

Just to clarify, the Traveler posted above is someone new, although I got a kick out of the commment!

Oh, Manny. He's funny. We should keep him. Forever.

Wow. So was the Lynchburg game a blowout?

Barry, Time for you to do a stadium piece. Are we still on time and on budget? It doesn't look like it. At least the on time part! What do you think?

Nice work, natsfan1a. That's about all there is to say on that one... and don't worry, it didn't go unnoticed.

People who really love the Post get the $.35 edition. People who can't stand commitment get the $.50 edition. It's just that simple. Barry for President.

For any and all who might be concerned about Marrero's possible defensive abilities at first, let's recall one of the great Washington first basemen, Zeke Bonura. My parents used to tell me that he had an almost perfect record, defensively, and a range that went approximately from his left foot to his right. But he could hit.

Thanks, faNATic!

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Nice work, natsfan1a. That's about all there is to say on that one... and don't worry, it didn't go unnoticed.

I like it! That gives Barry something to work with as far as differentiating the two editions.

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People who really love the Post get the $.35 edition. People who can't stand commitment get the $.50 edition.

Latest news has Scott Rolen being traded to the Blue Jays. You would think that would cement the Gold Glove for Ryan Zimmerman. I bet he gets it if Nick Johnson plays first base this year, although fools managed to give it to David Wright for some reason last year. New York blindness might make that turn into a trend.

Barry, you could always call it the <$.51 edition.

I am feeling guilty about blasting the Nats for their poor marketing efforts. I don't take back anything I said, but it is appreciated that some of the winter tour includes some charitable events. Of course, it shouldn't have to be either/or. You can do good work AND do a little more in the marketing area.

Meanwhile, it is good of Bergmann in particular to be getting out and contributing in the community. It would be nice to get a little more participation team-wide, but he is certainly doing his part. Other players I'd like to see get involved include WMP, Kearns, Rauch, Dimitri, and Cordero. Zimmerman, Hill, Patterson, and a few others get a little pass because they are rehabbing and Zimm has made some appearances in the past. Milledge, Dukes and LoDucca probably need to stay away from the media for another month, but it sure would be a nice gesture if/when they involve themselves in the community.

As a native of Lynchburg (family has had season tickets there for decades) I second the awesome marketing tactic and have actually totally forgotten about that specific night until reminded. Oh gosh, gotta love Carolina League ball - dizzy dizzy bat race all the way!

Barry,

I just read on Buster Olney's blog that Kasten is at the congressional hearing. Any news on that?

natsinthevalley,
you have a tin yurl for it?

Yes, Stan is there, he could be seen 2 heads to the left (right on screen) of Sen. Mitchell during his testimony. Further, he was pointed out by Bud Selig as being in attendance as his testimony began.

The Mitchell hearing is actually one of the stops on the ongoing Nationals Winter Caravan, they just forgot to list it on the press release. That's why Stan is there. They tried to get some players to show up too, but oddly none of them would commit. I hear Logan and LoDuca in particular wanted nothing to do with it.

Jayson Stark is blogging the hearing here:

http://tinyurl.com/2r86qu

Good one, 419+1.

Off Topic a bit, but I figured it's worth mentioning.

I got an e-mail today from MLB's "Fans at Bat" survey system, and despite entering a different team as my favorite (sorry), all the questions were about the Nationals and their uniforms. Anybody know if a uniform change/update is in the works?

Should appear in the "Post of Day" section of the print edition (but I would guess that it won't). :-)

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Good one, 419+1.

Actually, that should be Jason's WIFE Jarah. Scooped by Nats320 my friend.

http://nats320.blogspot.com/2008/01/few-minutes-with-jason-bergmann.html

Actually, no: Jason's wedding is upcoming, Feb. 9 -- still in the offseason, but hasn't happened yet.

You scooped yourself, Barry.

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"Bergmann will soon join the ranks of the married when he and Jarah wed Feb. 9. They are ahead of the game as their first child, a girl, is due in late May/early June."

The "scoop" mortality rate around here is just fearsome. Stupid facts...maybe someone should throw up a quick wikipedia page proving that Jason's married whether he knows it or not.

Oops, didn't finished reading. You scooped Nats320.

With all of these weddings, I fully expect that St. Randy will have to make a trip to the mound at some point this season to suggest appropriate presents:

"Okay, well, uh... candlesticks always make a nice gift, and uh, maybe you could find out where she's registered and maybe a place-setting or maybe a silverware pattern. Okay, let's get two! Go get 'em."

Also gotta be figuring out how to sacrifice a live chicken and deal with Nuke's pops....I mean we're dealing with a lot of stuff here

That'd be a live rooster, to take the curse off of the first baseman's bat.

Errr, first baseman's glove, I think.

that would have to be one magic #*(@#$(*&$ rooster... ;)

Scoop Mortality Rate (SMR): Noun. Blogging statistic defined, in terms of percentage, by the number of purported new stories or points that are proven to be incorrect by facts reported later (or, in rare and embarassing occasions, earlier).

Usage: "No, you can believe that guy, he's blogging with an SMR of .100!"

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The "scoop" mortality rate around here is just fearsome. Stupid facts...maybe someone should throw up a quick wikipedia page proving that Jason's married whether he knows it or not.

Well, I just I hope that at least one of them was married on the mound. Micah Bowie was (while with the Durham Bulls, no less), but he's not with us anymore. :)

I had the hiccups when I typed that... :)

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Well, I just I hope that

hmmm... i woulda figured "scoop mortality rate" had something to do a 1B trying to scoop out a 1 bounce throw to first.

I only provided the first definition.

The same percentage system would apply, I assume.

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hmmm... i woulda figured "scoop mortality rate" had something to do a 1B trying to scoop out a 1 bounce throw to first.

Awhile back we were trying to find a better nickname for Zimmerman than "Dutch," which has obvious shortcomings. I don't think anybody suggested "Scoop." On the one hand, it would cover scooping balls out of the dirt at the hot corner. On the other hand, it sounds more like a nickname for the glasses-wearing editor of a high school paper. Just throwing it out there, any better ideas?

John in Mpls: nice citation. You must have been a dictionary in a former life.

Oh man, now I desperately want to see him wearing one of those Clark Kent-style fedoras with a press card sticking out of it...

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On the other hand, it sounds more like a nickname for the glasses-wearing editor of a high school paper. Just throwing it out there, any better ideas?

If I say that's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me, does that say more about me or about my life?

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John in Mpls: nice citation. You must have been a dictionary in a former life.

I like Scoop for Zimm (and the fedora idea).

I agree re. the citation, John. Lovely!

It is hard to look at the Nats' site and see Manny Acta encouraging sick children and not hope that he becomes the Nats' Tommy Lasorda. It is amazing to say this after a single year, but what could be better than to be in on the ground floor with a Hall of Fame manager?

I am not saying he is- I am just fantasizing about the team somehow being so lucky.

Ahh, I just reentered earth entry, and it is great to be home.

One thing I have noticed, having subscriptions to a few baseball sites on the web, is how there are starting to be more Nationals questions both asked and answered (not just mine).

It seems that the moves made by the team over the winter have captured the imagination of people who look at baseball generically. Does this matter? Yes, you'd better believe it. It is a start, the beginning of everyone else starting to believe the team matters at all. Building a reputation beyond our Angelos-constrained borders means that players might be more inclined to come, and casual fans be more inclined to pay attention.

We are the ember on chats like this. We need more kindling out there to start a real fire of interest for the team.

Earth orbit, that is

One last thing: The Nats added a split-squad spring training game on Sunday, March 2, against the Houston Astros in Kissimmee. They're already scheduled to play the Orioles that day in Fort Lauderdale. My guess: Manny Acta and the mainstays will stay with the Kissimmee game (right near Acta's St. Cloud home) and a lesser squad will travel to Fort Lauderdale. Both games are at 1:05 p.m.

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Thanks, Barry.

Barry:

The Nats parking package for season's ticketholders came in the mail today. Big news, it will cost $35 a game to park in the garages next to the park. Pricing for parking is staggered from $35-$25-$20-$15 depending on how far away you lot is from the park. You get to submit your top choice and same criteria that went into seat relocation is used again.

Mentions shuttle to RFK, but no details.

Given how far away some of the lots are from the ballpark, I might be better off swimming from Virginia.

A couple of points
1) I just received my parking package today, as I'm sure everyone else did....and the deadline for payment is the 28th. How do they expect people to come up with thousands of dollars in less than two weeks (given mailing time)? I'll be on metro, except for possibly parking at my offce on weekends BUT WOW - kinda like expecting payment right at Christmas. C'mon Stan, get it together.

2) Barry, can you shed some light on the Nationals beat writer situation per MLB? I know you're not affiliated with them, but maybe have the drop on some inter-press box rumors. Bill Ladson (for better or worse) has been holding down this post since before the club moved south of the border; however, Michael Phillips has been putting out some of the more recent articles on nationals.com. Is there a transition going on?

haven't gotten my parking stuff yet, but less than two weeks to pay? you've gotta be kidding... someone just doesn't get the concept of public perception and alienating people...

of course, it could just be that there are so few spaces, they're hoping that, at least for this year, it'll keep as many people from trying to buy a space and getting rejected.

I didn't get the package either, but how would the payment date be the 28th if you don't know what price category they are going to assign you to? Seems like you'd have to submit your choice by the 28th, maybe with a deposit, and then pay the rest after you're assigned, just like with the tickets.

Cosmo, if you pay for a more expensive parking package and they assign you a less expensive one, you'll either get a credit to your ST account or a refund.

I don't have a car so my only beef with the parking package is the typo on the letter page. Big, glaring "seaon" for "season".

(thought you'd like that one natsfan1a)

Any word on Craig Heist?
When will we hear about Charlie?

Now that the Atlanta Braves will be leaving Richmond, how soon do we think the Washington Nationals will leave Columbus. Me thinks, fairly soon.

What's the deal, Barry? Couldn't you put on an apron, pack a few meals and still get your story?

I think the point is more that he was not supposed to a part of the story. He was there to report it.

The proofreading elves must have been at lunch. :-)

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I don't have a car so my only beef with the parking package is the typo on the letter page. Big, glaring "seaon" for "season".

(thought you'd like that one natsfan1a)

what's going to happen to Chief Knockahoma? We could put a huge Screech out there.

Anyway that's great news. localize the minors fast as possible. that is good for so many reasons.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/business/?p=64

that stadium sounds worse than RFK. excellent, excellent!

Wow, the Baseball America link makes it sound like the Bravos' move from Richmond is a done deal.

Also, on Craig Heist:

"Heist Out Of Hospital - 1/14 - DCRTV hears that WTOP sports reporter Craig Heist was released from Washington Hospital Center on Monday, just two days after being moved out of the intensive care unit. He collapsed last Tuesday during a Wizards game at the Verizon Center. "Heist is out of the hospital now and at home resting," we're told....."

Nats Farm Authority has some good stuff on the AAA issue here (scroll down to the second story).

http://www.farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/

Maybe we could link up with Durham (although Tampa's probably not going to want to move north) or alternatively, convince New Orleans to move to Richmond (if a new stadium is in the works).

So I was checking out the Spring Training packages on the official site last night. After selecting my hotel, t-shirt size, and games to attend, the price came back.

One million dollars. Honestly.

Keep in mind, this doesn't include the flight.

Now, I love my Nats, but if I had a million bucks to blow, I probably wouldn't spend it on a trip to Viera.

I ran it again, using the link for different dates, and selected the same hotel and the same number of games (yes, and the same t-shirt size), and the price was $838.

I'm thinking that's closer to the right price.

I have a question way off the topic but I was hoping someone could answer it. I have noticed when TV shows a pitcher warming up before he throws he will either point his glove, or pull it in, or turn it over, or move it from side to side. I am assuming he is telling the catcher what he is about to throw. My question is does anyone know what movements signal what pitches. I have searched online and found nothing. Thanks.

Bruce, It varies from pitcher to pitcher. From my experience in college ball it would be a point for a fastball (ususally one point for a 4-seam and 2 - like a pump - for a 2-seam), a flip of the wrist or rollover for a curve or slider....not many of these are thrown during warm-ups except one or two just to get stretched and motion back. On the last toss you would kinda throw your glove up over your shoulder to signal the throw down coming to 2nd. Now that was just my experience, not saying it's the standard....but, help any?

The 50-cent or less version says Richmond might have to settle for a lower-level affiliate (not a AAA team).

Seems kind of odd that Richmond wouldn't be able to support a AAA team -- although it's understandable if drainage issues, etc., are a factor.

Of course, it'd be nice to be able to bring some attendance numbers up on my screen, but either they're scarcer than hens' teeth or I'm just a poor searcher. The numbers at MiLB.com all read zero... perhaps they've reset their data bases in anticipation of 2008?

I can't find the attendance figures either, Hendo, but I don't think that's the reason Richmond is perceived as unlikely to get another AAA team. That team would have to come from the International League, and apparently no other IL teams are interested in moving. Geographically, the Eastern League (AA), Sally League (A) and possibly the Carolina League are better fits. All of this comes from the Richmond Times-Dispatch here:

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports/more.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-01-16-0154.html

Also, new post.

Yes Corey, thanks. I was just curious about it.