2011 Father's Day weekend at Nats Park, Orioles vs. Nationals (June 18 & 19)

June 18 & 19, 2011: What's better than a baseball game on Father's Day? Spending the Father’s Day weekend with your daughter at the ballpark.

Sofia and I spent Saturday and Sunday (mom joined us for the Father's Day game) at Nats Park to watch the Beltway Series. We had hoped to see the Nationals sweep the Orioles, but rather saw them split the games we attended.

As a father it is amazing to watch your daughter grow up. Sofia's happy attitude is contagious, but with the good comes the challenges. The Nationals are known for their challenges, but this season they have experienced some success. They have kept their record at nearly .500, something they have not done this late into the

season since their inaugural season, and we hoped to see them reach .500 in the two games we attended.

During Saturday's game the Orioles took an early lead with Adam Jones' homer in the 1st inning, but the Nationals’ recently returned Ryan Zimmerman responded by tying the game with a homer of his own later that inning. From there the Nats took the lead and took the second game of the series with a 4-2 win.

Sunday, Father's Day, the Nationals had a chance to reach .500. We arrived at the ballpark as Sofia snoozed in her stroller. We had hoped this would be a much-needed nap and would result in her being in a good mood for the game.

As Sofia napped we snuck in a few photo ops with the Racing President (George, Tom, Abe and the lovable Teddy), something that would never have occurred with her awake, she's scared of them and who can blame her for being scared of a politician.

Like yesterday the Orioles took a quick lead in the second inning as a result of yesterday's Player of the Game, Ryan Zimmerman, error. Seems his being out for most of the early season has finally caught up with him. I would like to believe that the O's early lead upset Sofia. She was suddenly in a foul mood and mom hoped that food would help calm her down. As mom went to get some hot dogs, I struggled to sooth Sofia. We sat above the O's bullpen and maybe this was Sofia's way of communicating her discontent at the Orioles lead, but O's pitcher Koji Uehara wanted to help me out. As one father to another, Koji tossed a ball up to us, but not even

this act of kindness could help. Sofia rejected the ball, but it didn't go to waste, we gave it to the father sitting next to us who gave it to his son and told him it was the first ball he had ever caught at a ballpark.

As a blessing from the sky, it began to rain. The rain washed the tears off Sofia’s face as I quickly pulled out our umbrella. Sofia smiled, reached for the umbrella’s handle and twirled it like Mary Poppins. The rain stopped and mom returned with lunch. Sofia's attitude had changed. She entertained the fans around us and danced with dad to "Boogey Shoes" that landed her on the jumbo-tron.

Although I write about my challenging moment with Sofia at the game, but my Father’s Day at Nationals Park with my family was certainly the highlight of the day. As for the Nationals, they may have lost the game to the Orioles 4-7, but they took two out of the three games of the Beltway Series.

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Washington, DC (March 31, 2011) - Washington Nationals Opening Day: Braves vs. Nationals

The 2011 MLB Opening Day finally arrived, but the Washington, DC weather did not get the memo. The day started off with sprinkles and turned into a balmy 41 degrees. Sofia was looking forward to a little baseball, but because of a cold and an un-cooperating mother nature, her Opening Day will be delayed. But the 30 Ballparks and a Baby family was not shutout. Dad weathered the storm and got unprecedented access to the pregame ceremonies.

Upon arrival at Nationals Park, dad hit the field just in time to catch the Braves take batting practice. It was like “déjà vu all over again” from the Turner Field visit in 2009 (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119552&id=122793954504).

The pregame ceremonies began with the induction of legendary sportscaster James Brown, former Redskin and radio personality Brian Mitchell, and ½ of PTI Michael Wilbon, among others, into the Washington DC Hall of Fame. The induction was followed with roaring cheers as Nats fan favorite, Ryan Zimmerman, received his 2010 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger award.

In contrast to Zimmerman’s cheers, recently inaugurated DC Mayor, Vincent Gray, received deafening boo’s as he kicked off the Nationals’ 2011 season with “Play Ball”. With the response that Mayor Gray received, he is going to have a tough four years and I hope his self-inflicted misfortunes are not those of the Nationals.

The Nationals hit the field behind their off-season prize, Jason Werth, and their two veterans, Livan Hernandez and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriquez. The 36-year old Livan pitched his 4th Opening Day for the Nationals, his 9th career Opening Day. Pudge posted his 2,500 career game and 20th consecutive Opening Day start.

Werth, Herndandez, Pudge and the rest of the Nationals played a great game. Jason Werth got on base in his first at bat as a National, but the Braves just had a tad more juice on this day. The Braves scored early with a Brian McCann single that scored future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones in the first inning and in the second inning, Jason Heyward hit a solo homer. The 39,055 fans in attendance watched the Nationals lose 2-0, but from Coach Riggleman down, everybody agreed that the Nationals played exceptionally well.

With this competitive team that was assembled in the off-season and haven watch their Opening Day, the Nationals should have a solid 2011 Season.

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