It's not over until it's over...or is it?

June 23, 2011: Attended the last game of the Mariners vs. Nationals series, a game that the Nats came into with a cool .500 record. Here was their chance to break into a winning record, something they have not done since 2005.

The game went into the 9th tied at 0. Laynce Nix pinched hit for Pitcher Tyler Clippard and hit a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Jerry Hairston, Jr. The Nats won 1-0, swept the Mariners, won their 11th game out of their last 12, and moved into 1 game above .500.

But today's celebration was cut extremely short when Nationals’ Manager, Jim Riggleman, announced he was resigning immediately. It is always sad to see a successful manager resign, especially after a big win, but this may be a blessing in disguise.

The Nationals have regained their ability to play hard for an entire game and this fighting spirit will continue to serve them well. And with Riggleman's poisonous displeasure with his contract situation removed from the clubhouse, I predict they will make it into the 2011 playoffs. The Nationals have solid coaching and although bench coach John McLaren has been named the interim manager, a solid leader like their 3rd Base Coach, Bo Porter, who has been recently mentioned as a skipper for the Marlins, would clearly be a top choice to step into the Nationals’ Manager position.

At the end, hopefully neither Porter nor Riggleman end up with the Marlins at the start of the 2012 season when they debut their new ballpark.

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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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Nothing better than being at the Nats ballpark w/ the Family for a happy Father's Day!

Nothing like a daddy/daughter pre-Father's Day O's v Nats game!

Dad the Grad! Congrats on your Masters in Sports Management

Dad, one step closer to Hoya Grad!

Baseball Dad

May 1, 2011- During the past few weeks three (3) MLB players have taken paternity leave to be with their wives during the amazing moment - the birth of their children. They have received some criticism about missing a few days of work, or shall I say a few games of baseball, but I can only guess that those critics are not fathers.

One of the players who recently took paternity leave hits close to home, Washington NationalsShort Stop, Ian Desmond. Not only is Ian a hometown favorite, but Sofia and I met him late last year when the Nationals released their new uniforms. Ian took special attention of his young fan and now we know why, he was a dad to be. To know that Nats Coach, Jim Riggleman, endorses the League’s implementation of paternity leave is encouraging. To know that Ian was with his wife when their baby boy was born on April 26, 2011, priceless!

Today was overcast, but a few clouds and some sprinkles were not going to keep Sofia and I from a day at the ballpark. Sofia was decked out in her pink in support of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer that ended in Washington, DC today.

Getting out to the ballpark is always great, but today’s Giants vs. Nats game was special. Sofia and I sat in the Right Field stands right above the newly acquired Jason Werth. This brought memories from our June 25, 2009, 30 Ballparks and a Baby stop at Tropicana Field when we watched a rematch of the 2008 World Series, the Rays and the Phillies. Sitting right behind us that night was a young die-hard Rays’ fan that was still upset at the Phillies beating the Rays in the World Series. This young fan had perfected his baseball “chatter” and his target that night, Jason Werth. He told Jason “here’s a quarter, go get yourself a cup of coffee cause it’s not as if you are doing anything else” and would quickly follow with “hope you enjoy last years ring because it’s going to be your last”. Punchline after punchline: “Must be hot under that hat, your hair has turned red”. I asked the young fan where he learned his chatter and he quickly replied, “my dad!”, who sat at his side with a sense of pride.

That day in Tampa we joined the Rays fans to root against Jason and the Phillies, but today was a completely different day. Today we cheered for Jason and the Nats who beat the Giants 5-2, but the only part of the game that really mattered was enjoying my time with Sofia and, even though it rained, the day shined.

Sofia returns to #Nats Park to see them beat the Giants 5-2! #MLB

Baltimore, MD (April 4, 2011) - Orioles 2011 Opening Day

Sofia just turned two a couple of months ago and today she attended to her first MLB Opening Day.

I knew this Opening Day experience was going to be unique. The weather in DC has finally started to warm up after some crazy spring snow fell last week. Sofia has been begging to go the park every day. This morning I asked her if she meant to say the baseball park and she confirmed in spanish that yes she wanted to visit the baseball park: "parque...parque de beisbol!" (We are really trying to make her bilingual).

As expected, Baltimore was mobbed with Orioles fans. Who can blame them? Their 3-0 start is the best since 1997. Could this be a new Baltimore Orioles team?

The Orioles got on the score board in the 2nd inning with Matt Wieters stealing home on Porcello's wild pitch. The Tigers responded by tying it up in the 3rd.

Sofia was excited to be back in the ballpark. She hammed it up for the fans in the stands and cheered the O's on as she bounced from step to step out if her seat.

By the 4th inning Sofia was ready for a change of atmosphere. We headed to the Orioles' kiddie area (which honestly leaves much to be desired in comparison to the carnival rides at the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Field) where she discovered a small moon bounce where she spent most of the 5th inning which featured Brian Roberts nailing a three-run homer to the right field stands where we were seated. As the inning finished up, Wieters singled to add another run giving the Orioles a 5-1 lead that they would hold for the rest of the game.

Luckily for dad, the park had strategically placed a monitor in perfect view by the moon bounce so I did not miss a single play.

Back in the day I would have been frustrated missing the best part of the game, but today I confirmed a new source of enjoyment at the ballpark: spending time watching Sofia enjoy a baseball game in her unique way as a two-year-old little girl.

The game was not a complete loss. We returned to our seats in time for "God Bless America", "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (the Orioles 7th inning staple). Sofia sang and danced during the 7th inning stretch and we watch the Orioles beat the Tigers 5-1 and taking their record to 4-0. Much better than the last time we were there to finish up our "30 Ballparks and a Baby" tour in 2009.

I don't remember my first Opening Day, but will certainly always remember this one with my daughter.

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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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Ankiel strikes out and #Nats lose to Braves 2-0 on Opening Day

Rain has stopped and #Nats are ready for the #Braves and the 2011 Season

James Brown, BMitch, Michael Wilbon inducted into DC HoF