Nats release tickets to Phillies series for DC fans only

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Presidents Race Fan

The Washington Nationals will begin taking registrations this morning for single-game tickets to just one home series — the May 4-6 games vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park.

The catch? You have to live in DC, Maryland, or Virginia.

The move was announced this morning on MLB.com, where the Nats have posted a registration page to request your tickets.

Phillies fans at Nationals ParkNats CEO Andy Feffer explained that the move was a response to the busloads of Phillies fans who’ve filled Nationals Park from advanced group ticket sales, and engaged in disruptive behavior.

“For several years now, our fans, everybody, have been screaming about the number of Phillies fans that invade our park when we have a series here at Nationals Park,” Feffer told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson. “Frankly, I’m tired of seeing the Phillies fans in our ballpark in Washington more than anything. We sat down as a group and we said, ‘You know what? It’s time to take our park back in Washington and get our fans in this park.’

Fans who register for tickets here will get an email with an invitation to purchase up to 8 individual tickets. The registration information used must match the billing address for your payment card, which must be in DC, Virginia, or Maryland.

The series includes the Nationally-broadcast ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game on May 6.

Great move Mr. Feffer!

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Nationals Promotion/Giveaway Schedule for 2012

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Presidents Race Fan

The Washington Nationals have released details of the 2012 game day promotion/giveaway schedule, including three bobblehead nights and three Saturday night post-game concerts, which were clearly added based on the success of last September’s post-game concert by Lifehouse.

Highlights this season include bobblehead nights for Michael Morse, Stephen Strasburg, and Ryan Zimmerman. The “fan’s choice” bobblehead has apparently been retired. Additional giveaways will include an opening day cap, a replica truck, a beer stein, and several additional shirts and caps.

The promo items were revealed as part of the team’s merchandising for the new 5 Game Flex Plans. The full promotional schedule, including events and celebrations such as Friday Night Fireworks, Pups in the Park, and Ladies Night will be released later this month. We’ll share those as soon as they are available

2012 Washington Nationals Promotional/Giveaway Schedule

Preliminary – Additional dates to be added soon

Tue 4/3 Schedule Magnet
Thu 4/12 Opening Day Cap
Fri 4/13 T-Shirt
Sat 4/14 Stephen Strasburg Bobblehead
Sun 4/22 Kids Jersey
Thu 5/3 Drawstring Backpack
Sat 5/19 Nationals Script Cap
Sun 5/20 Kids T-Shirt
Sat 6/2 Post-game Concert
Thu 7/5 Replica Truck
Fri 7/6 Luggage Tag
Fri 7/20 Stein
Sat 7/21 Post-game Concert
Sun 7/22 Kids T-Shirt
Sat 8/4 T-Shirt
Sun 8/5 Michael Morse Bobblehead
Fri 8/17 Retro Cap
Sat 8/18 Post-Game Concert
Sat 9/8 Ryan Zimmerman Bobblehead
Sat 9/22 Team Poster


Thanks CurlyDubs

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Nationals Racing President Auditions Set for February 18

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Presidents Race Fan

If you have presidential aspirations, it’s not too late to enter the 2012 race.

Washington Nationals Racing Presidents AuditionsAs expected, the Washington Nationals today announced their Presidents Race tryouts for 2012, to be held Saturday, February 18th at Nationals Park.

The Nats are looking for fun-loving team members between 5’7” and 6’ 6” in height, who can handle wearing a 45-pound costume for hours, and can run 200 yards in 40 seconds or less (yes, that’s with the costume still on).

Nationals presidents race tryoutsYou must also be available for at least 35 home games this year.

The Nationals have made the racing president auditions a Presidents Day weekend tradition. To score an invitation and your chance to run in the footsteps of giants, you must e-mail a cover letter, resume and recent photo to entertainment@nationals.com by February 10. Tryouts are closed to the public.

Nationals Racing President AuditionsIn previous years, candidates have been asked to race against each other, run a 40-yard dash, dance, and show their celebration skills during the tryouts, which are held rain or shine (Two years ago, auditions were held in deep snow).

For a sense of what’s in store, check out our video chronicle from last year’s auditions:

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Nat Pack and Racing President Auditions

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Presidents Race Fan

Nat Pack AuditionsThe Washington Nationals are looking for outgoing and energetic athletes, gymnasts, dancers, cheerleaders, promotional models and “overall outstanding personalities” to join the on-field entertainment team this season at Nationals Park.

Tryouts to join the Nat Pack, the team’s “fan ambassadors” who lead cheers and take part in fan promotions throughout the season, will be held
Nat Pack AuditionsJanuary 28-29 at Nationals Park, and applications are due by next Monday, January 23. Candidates are asked to send their photo, resume, and cover letter to entertainment@nationals.com. Details here.

In keeping with tradition, we expect the all-important 2012 presidents race auditions to occur at Nationals Park on February 18, but according to the team, this year’s dates have not been finalized. Presidents race tryouts traditionally occur on Presidents Day weekend, with applications due a week prior.

Stay tuned. The Nats have promised details on this as well as the national anthem tryouts soon.

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Ballpark Bus to Nationals Park gives suburban Nats fans a new transportation alternative

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Presidents Race Fan

Ballpark Bus to Nationals Park - LogoBrian Bowman was a Nationals fan with a problem.

A Nats fan “since the beginning,” Bowman, 33, never bought season tickets because his family lives in Ashburn, Virginia, and could only take so many taxing rush hour drives through suburban traffic to reach Nationals Park. “I’m not near the Metro,” Bowman says, “and the drive can be hard.”

This season, he’s teaming with two friends to do something about it.

The three Virginia natives have joined to launch Ballpark Bus to Nationals Park, a service that shuttles fans en mass from restaurant parking lots in suburban Maryland and Virginia to Nationals Park and back.

“We want to turn something mundane like getting to the game into something relaxing and fun,” said Bowman. “The Ballpark Bus adds to the total fan experience.”

Ballpark Bus to Nationals Park Website ballparkbus.comThe service will start taking reservations at BallparkBus.com in March, well in advance of the Nationals April 12 home opener. Until then, the website points to their new Facebook page, where they are asking for feedback to determine which locations have the most demand.

The service will rely on the web and social networks to schedule fan buses based on need. “It’s a new concept of mass transit on demand,” says Bowman.

Fans can request a free reservation to any game from the participating restaurant that’s closest to them. Once a request has been made, “social tools” help fans recruit additional passengers from their own social networks and on the website. When enough reservations are made, the location is officially added to the ticketing schedule, with those early reservations receiving a discounted seat price.

Ballpark Bus will drop fans off just outside the first base entrance to Nationals Park at Potomac Avenue on the Anacostia River, which should add to the appeal compared to remote parking or Metro.

In addition to the Facebook page, Ballpark bus has posted a video showing how it works:

Bowman, who is an Art Director at a local agency, plans to add some “fun promotions” for bus passengers, but isn’t pitching Ballpark Bus as a party bus. The team is still working out whether alcohol will be allowed.

Pricing has not been published, but “will be competitive with other forms of transport to the park such as Metro and parking,” said Bowman. “A top priority for us is to keep the price down so its family friendly.”

Bowman is hoping the service can help grow the ranks of Nationals fans from locations as disparate as Loudon, Fairfax, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Prince William and Anne Arundel counties, adding “We want to get information from the riders and build it around what they want.”

As of this morning, the site’s Facebook survey showed an early preference for locations along I-66 (Tysons, Fairfax, Centerville, Manassas), followed by the Dulles Toll Road (Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn), I-270 (Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown), and I-95 South (Springfield, Lorton, Woodbridge).

Photos courtesy Ballpark Bus to Nationals Park

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Video: Racing presidents grace Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker despite backstage “diva fit” by Teddy

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

For your enjoyment this Christmas weekend, the Washington Nationals released a behind-the-scenes video from the racing presidents’ guest appearance earlier this month in The Washington Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre.

The Nationals Racing Presidents appear in The Washington Ballet production of The Nutcracker - by Theo Kossenas PhotographyThe clip features an interview with director Septime Webre, who praises Thomas Jefferson for his “confident, nuanced artistry,” George Washington for his “virtuosic high kicks,” and Teddy Roosevelt for his “sophisticated” port de bras, but when pressed, he confessed that the hero of San Juan Hill was the most difficult to work with.

“Teddy did throw a diva fit at a moment during rehearsal,” said Webre, “but I had to put him in line.”

Photo by Theo Kossenas Photography via the Curly W Blog

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MLB Network: Presidents race predictions for 2012

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

Intentional Talk - Chris Rose & Kevin Millar issue presidents race predictionHosts Chris Rose and Kevin Millar gave a shout out to the blog Monday as they issued their predictions for the 2012 presidents race on The MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk.”

Rose predicts an 0-81 campaign for Teddy, but Millar was more optimistic, predicting that 2012 will be a big year for the Bull Moose Party.

Presidents Race predictions at 2:15:

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Racing presidents to appear in Washington Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” December 14

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

The Washington Nationals’ own racing presidents will make a special return guest appearance in The Washington Ballet production of Septime Webre’s “The Nutcracker” at the Warner Theatre on Wednesday, December 14.

Racing Presidents in The Nutcracker

The Nationals racing presidents in last year's Washington Ballet production of "The Nutcracker" at the Warner Theatre

A Washington tradition, the Webre production stars George Washington as the Nutcracker, and features guest appearances by local celebrities throughout the season.

This will be the second year the presidents have appeared in the classic. This video from Mojo Factory Productions shows a behind-the-scenes glimpse of last year’s appearance, including an impressive arabesque by Abraham Lincoln:

Tickets are available at the historic Warner Theatre Box Office, or via Ticketmaster.

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The Bull Moose Party is back, just in time for the holidays

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

If you’re like most Americans, you’re facing two big decisions right now: 1) what to get friends and family for the holidays, and 2) which political party to support in 2012.

I’m happy to report that Teddy Roosevelt’s Progressive Bull Moose Party is back to solve both of these problems.

Bull Moose Party 2012 Let Teddy WinTeddy Roosevelt Jayson Werth Bull Moose Party 2012 T-Shirt from LetTeddyWin.comBull Moose EarringsBull Moose Laptop SkinInspired by Let Teddy Win supporter Jayson Werth, who tried twice to interfere with the presidents race on Teddy’s behalf before famously declaring “I must be the last remaining member of the Bull Moose party,” we introduce an entire new Bull Moose Party section at LetTeddyWin.com.

Remarkably, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Progressive Party, founded by Teddy Roosevelt and nicknamed the “Bull Moose Party” after Roosevelt was shot in a failed assassination attempt and later declared “I’m fit as a bull moose!”

The party was formed by the popular former president to challenge his successor, fellow Republican William Howard Taft, whom he feared had drifted too far to the right.

Among other things, the Progressive platform of 1912 promoted social insurance, disclosure of campaign contributions, registration of lobbyists, and government regulation of the securities industry. Yes, some things haven’t changed much in 100 years.

The Bull Moose Party 2012 section is filled with new designs and items promoting a simpler platform for 2012: “Let Teddy Win!”

New items at the shop include jewelry, christmas ornaments, clocks, laptop skins, iPad covers, water bottles, nightshirts, pajamas, baby items and much more including, of course, lots of t-shirts in all shapes and sizes.

It’s been nearly two years since I last mentioned the store, so with over 150 new items, it seemed worth a post. As always, your purchases support this blog with a markup of a few dollars, sometimes less. I wish Cafepress prices were lower, but everything is backed by their no-questions-asked satisfaction guarantee.

StampDatTeddyA side note: It’s gratifying to see our readers wearing Let Teddy Win! gear at Nationals Park. The movement is strong, but oddly, our t-shirts have started showing up in some strange places. Who is this guy? (Warning: misogynist video not suitable for children).

UPDATE: CafePress has a coupon code FB50 which can be used today for free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

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Nationals quietly support candlelight vigil for Wilson Ramos

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

Vigil for Wilson Ramos at Nationals ParkThe Washington Nationals have remained silent on the Wilson Ramos kidnapping at the request of government and law enforcement officials, but that didn’t prevent the team from quietly supporting the impromptu candlelight vigil tonight in front of Nationals Park.

The vigil was organized entirely by fans via Twitter in a matter of hours. Those who braved freezing temperatures to show their support for the Ramos family arrived to find tables set up with coffee and hot chocolate, courtesy of the team.

The Nats also let it be known that the area around the center field gate fence is open territory for signs to be left in support of their catcher.

9:50pm UPDATE: The Ramos family has just confirmed that they received a call from authorities telling them that Wilson Ramos has been found and freed!

11:00pm UPDATE: Statement from Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo: “The news from Venezuela tonight is reassuring. Though details are limited and we have not yet talked directly with Wilson, we are thrilled with reports that he has been rescued and is being safely returned to his family. We greatly appreciate all the prayers and thoughts of all who have joined us in wishing for this conclusion to what has been a nightmarish 48 hours. We are eager to see Wilson and let him know just how many all over the world have been waiting for this news.”

Vigil for Wilson Ramos at Nationals ParkCandlelight Vigil for Wilson Ramos at Nationals ParkWilson Ramos Nationals Vigil SignCandlelight Vigil for Wilson Ramos at Nationals Park

And finally, just after midnight, from @educal1973 and Mauricio Centeno at El Carabobeño newspaper:

Wilson Ramos Rescued

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Candlelight vigil for Wilson Ramos tonight at Nationals Park

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

Free Wilson Ramos Candlelight VigilThe entire nation of Venezuela along with baseball fans and concerned citizens in DC and around the world have been on edge since Wednesday night, when news broke of the kidnapping of Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos.

Following last night’s candlelight vigil held outside the stadium in Ramos’ home town of Valencia, local fans are building momentum for a similar vigil
to be held tonight outside Nationals Park.

This is an unofficial event, organized by fans. The gathering will begin at 6:00pm outside the Nationals Park center field gate. Dress warmly and bring your own candles, signs, etc.

Please note that the Navy Yard Metro station is closed for maintenance. Free shuttle bus service will operate between the L’Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue stations to closed Metro stations.

For those wishing to drive, note that parking meter enforcement will not be in effect in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. There will be no enforcement of residential parking or rush hour lane violations, which means parking should be plentiful.

For up-to-date info, you can follow the Twitter hashtag #vigilforramos.

Do you see a display ad below this post? Annoying, right? That’s not from me. It’s from WordPress. If you set up a free WordPress.com account, you won’t see the ads any more. WordPress only shows them to people who aren’t registered.

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On Teddy’s birthday, remembering the top presidents race moments of 2011

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

Thursday is Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday, and what better way to celebrate than to relive some of the top presidents race moments of 2011 (at least according to the Nationals).

The Nats staff has compiled a fun video for Nationals.com highlighting some the more memorable triumphs and mishaps of 2011.

Notably absent are the two races from the final weekend the season in which Jayson Werth tried to take over the presidents race. It was a National story, but one the Nats’ marketing brass would prefer to bury. In fact, the Nationals have never released video of those two races.

Video: Washington Nationals

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Vote for the Racing Presidents pumpkins

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

Racing President Pumpkins - Nationals Pumpkin ContestThe finalists have been announced for the Washington Nationals annual pumpkin carving contest, and once again, the racing presidents have been well-represented.

Last year, reader Larry LaHaie’s “Let Teddy Win” pumpkin took the grand prize. Will the presidents triumph again? Voting is now open at Nationals.com until Thursday, Nov. 3 at 2:00pm.

Filed under: The Movement | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

How will you celebrate Teddy’s birthday?

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

Tomorrow is Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday. How will you be celebrating?

Last week, blogger Laura Leu got into the spirit with these homemade Mount Rushmore presidents cupcakes:

President cupcakes - baked by Laura Leu

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Jayson Werth tells the Post he’s not joking

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Presidents Race Fan

In this Redskins-obsessed sports community, it’s fair to say that many people locally haven’t paid close attention to the Nationals’ amazing September.

Jayson Werth blocks Thomas Jefferson in the presidents race - Photo by Chris TatemSo it’s also not surprising that when people hear about Jayson Werth’s attempt to interfere with the presidents race, many who weren’t there assume it was a scripted gag.

But as we’ve known since May, Werth again made it clear to the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore that he is a serious member of the Let Teddy Win movement.

The self-proclaimed “last member of the Bull Moose Party” is passionate about putting an end to any remnants of what he saw as “an expectancy of losing,” and while he believes the team has turned the corner, he sees Teddy’s losing streak as a remnant of that mentality.

“It was a joke on some levels, but on some levels not,” Werth told Kilgore. “There’s an expectancy of losing there. It goes back to the first month of the season when we won two games in a row and [a reporter] asked me about the two-game winning streak. It’s like, ‘No.’ That whole thing had to stop. That had to stop in a big way. When an organization or a team is really young and is coming from many losing seasons, it starts to get ingrained. I’m not saying that I’m the one who changed it. It’s got to be a conscious effort on everybody’s part. But I definitely wasn’t complacent when I saw that happening.”

It’s safe to say that Werth won’t be interfering with the presidents race again, but here’s hoping our new favorite National doesn’t drop his membership in the Bull Moose party. If Werth can recruit more players and fans to the cause, and the team does well, perhaps the pressure will build for the Nationals to let Teddy win in the 2012 season.

Photo courtesy of Flickr member Chris Tatem

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