Sofia dials up two wins for the Nationals

March 28, 2010 - The Nationals have had a tough time getting wins during this 2010 Spring Training; prior to March 20, 2010 their record was 3-13. We went to the Nationals play two games, and I don’t know what it was, maybe Sofia’s call, but they won both games.

On Sunday, March 21, 2010, we went to Jupiter, Florida to visit the Roger Dean Stadium, home of the Florida Marlins who hosted the Washington Nationals. We were torn on whom to root for since we are originally from South Florida but now the Nationals are our home team.

The Nationals came into this game ready to win! One of our favorite former Marlins and now Nationals, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, was in the line-up. First Baseman, Chris Duncan, who since this game has been cut, started the game with a solid double that put the Nats on the board first. The 6^th inning was hot, and both the Nats and the Marlins went on a tear scoring four (4) runs each. Although the Nationals escaped the inning still in the lead, 7-6, the old Nats started to appear, as they seemed to lose focus on the game. Luckily, at the end, the Nationals, with their solid hitting, beat the Marlins, 9-7, adding another win to their poor Spring Training record. Check out Facebook for pictures of the Nationals vs. Marlins, March 21, 2010

The next day, March 22, 2010, we drove north to the Space Coast Stadium in Veira Beach to see the Nationals take on the Mets. The Nationals picked up where they left off the day before. In the first inning Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo homer and then in the second inning Josh Willingham homered. Zimmerman was not done; he homered again in the 5^th inning giving the Nationals a solid lead that they would hold to beat the Mets 7-5. Check out Facebook for pictures of the Mets vs. Nationals, March 22, 2010

This weekend the Nationals picked up two wins to improve their record to 5-13. The one positive thing for the Nationals and their poor Spring Training is that they have had the opportunity to get a good look at their players. Remember last years Spring Training; the Nationals had a much better record 15-17, although still under .500, they ended up losing over 100 games. Hopefully this year, with such a poor Spring Training record they will be able to improve their regular season play, win some more games and prevent having the league’s worst record

Good Luck Nats and we look forward to seeing you play this season.

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Washington Nationals’ Space Coast Stadium visit, March 21, 2010

March 25, 2010 - On Monday, March 21, 2010, we had the opportunity to meet with the Nationals Space Coast Stadium located in Viera, Florida. The Mets were in town to play the Nationals and, although the Nats have had a tough Spring Training, they were coming off a win over the Marlins, a game we also attended. At the end the Nationals beat the Mets 7-5 and we had the opportunity to see two back-to-back Nationals’ wins.

Space Coast Stadium:

Located in Viera (Melbourne), Florida and built in 1993.

Spring Training home of the Washington Nationals and “regular season facility for the Brevard County Manatees, the Florida State League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.”

The complex includes several practice fields on the property itself.

Once Spring Training is done, the Stadium is used by the Manatees and also hosts the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Nationals and other baseball games.

The Climatic Tiki Bar and Nats Tiki:

In left field there is a Tiki Bar and picnic area, which is sponsored by Climatic. Island Mike’s built the Tiki Bar and donated a “Tiki” to the Nationals. The Tiki has been named

“Nats Tiki” and is the center piece of the Florida Nationals marketing campaign as they use him in the community, parade him throughout the stadium for games and use him to reach out to kids and fans a like. In February of 2010 the Florida Nationals created the “Nats Tiki” Facebook page and now have over 600 fans. The experience at Space Coast Stadium was a great one and I am confident that I will return in the future to watch Nationals play again.

The experience at Space Coast Stadium was a great one and I am confident that I will return in the future to watch Nationals play again.

Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com