CarL1 Potomac Nationals

National Anthem Auditions and Job Fair Are Success

March 15, 2006 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, Va. - You can't say the Potomac Nationals aren't busy getting ready for the 2006 season as they spent each of the last two weekends running full steam into the season.

On March 4 & 5, the Nationals hosted a job fair at Pfitzner Stadium that saw over 100 worthy applicants interview for a chance to work at the ballpark in one of the many great jobs available. All age groups were represented from those looking for a first job to those who retired from their full-time job and wanted to have something fun to do this summer.

The interviews were held in the clubhouse of ‘The Pfitz' and provided some of the would-be workers a chance to see part of the park only a select few get to see each year. Though the lockers were barren and waiting personal belongings, uniforms, and a player to put those things in, you could tell it was ready for baseball.

Last weekend, Potomac Mills Mall partnered up with the P-Nats to find some of the area's best singing talent to sing the National Anthem before Potomac Nationals games. Just like with the job fair, there were some who'd never heard themselves over a sound system while some seasoned veterans easily made it through the song.

With many varying styles coming out, one thing remained constant, all wanted to be on the field before a game to sing our country's anthem. With all of the talent that came out to Potomac Mills Mall, it'll be fun to see who made the final cut and will be singing before a Potomac Nationals game.

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Fantasy Baseball League Begins Now!

Pick your team and see how you fare against the P-Nats

Woodbridge, Va. - Get ready for the 2006 Potomac Nationals Fantasy Baseball League! Pick your team today for your chance to win prizes and bragging rights among your friends, the P-Nats staff and P-Nats manager Randy Knorr!

The best during each two-week period will receive two Grandstand vouchers from the Potomac Nationals, with the overall season leader winning four tickets to a September Washington Nationals game and an autographed team baseball.

If you're the top player during your period, you'll even get to see your name in lights as the standings and period winners will be shown on the Video Board at Pfitzner Stadium throughout the season!

Here is how the game works. Each period, you'll pick six players, three batters and three pitchers. Each time a batter hits a home run or a pitcher gets a win or a save, you'll get one point. If that player is a former Prince William/Potomac player, then you'll get double points for that period. Now here comes the twist. You're only allowed to use a player twice during the season. So if you pick Barry Bonds twice early in the season, you can't use him down the stretch!

If you would like to participate in the Randy Knorr Fantasy Baseball League, visit www.potomacnationals.com now and sign up. It's free, it's fun and it's filled with prizes.

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* Potomac Nationals Information *

Are You A "Star" Writer?

Write about a P-Nats experience and find out!

Woodbridge, Va. - Would you like to write an article and have it published in the E-Newsletter? If so, then the Potomac Nationals want to see your writing!

That's right, throughout the season we'll be featuring "Star" writers to write about anything involving the P-Nats. It can be a story about a game, seeing Uncle Slam in the community, running into a player at the mall, anything as long as it has to do with the Potomac Nationals. Because of space limitations, please limit your articles to a page. They may be edited for space and content.

So if you've got the writing bug, then scratch it by sending in your articles to jwronski@potomacnationals.com. All submissions become property of the Potomac Nationals and must be submitted in type-written format. Accompanying photos sent as attachments may also be submitted. Scans or pictures of hand-written work will not be accepted.

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* Potomac Nationals News *

A Look Back at the Hot Stove Banquet

Baseball and fun during March evening

Baseballs, kids, chicken fingers and autographs. All that was missing was dirt and grass from the Hyatt Fair Lakes to remind people just how close baseball season is as over 100 fans, sponsors and dignitaries enjoyed the 11th Annual Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet.

Tony Tavares, President and CEO of the Washington Nationals, talked about the future of the Nationals-Potomac and Washington-while also giving his take on lawyers and mentioning a few anecdotes from the negotiations with the Washington D. C. City Council on a new stadium.

Tavares joined Executive Vice President Kevin Uhlich, Congressman Tom Davis and a myriad of local politicians in attendance as they mingled with Booster Club Members, sponsors and fans who came out for a great evening of talking baseball.

"It was exciting to see everyone tonight, I think it finally hit me just how close we are to playing actual baseball," said Potomac Nationals General Manager Bobby Holland.

With the team's first game less than a month away and home opener just over five weeks away, it was obvious what the thoughts were on everyone's mind, baseball.

Tables were decked out with baseballs, bunting was hung from the front table and the wait staff was adorned with P-Nats jerseys.

The night began with a cocktail hour in which everyone trickled in and immediately reconnected with some they hadn't seen since last season.

"I love coming to this every year, I love getting to see people I hadn't seen in a while," said Ken Rostkowski. "I had shoveled out my driveway so I could come to [the one scheduled in February], that's how ready I was for this."

As fans got to see each other again, Katie Annetti (9) and her friend Ashley Milligan (3), both of whom will be celebrating birthdays soon, could be seen walking around together or playing ball in the hallway while their parents reminisced about old times and high school days.

Lamar and Dottie Boone of the Potomac Nationals Booster Club displayed their banner on a table while Rostkowski set up a display showcasing all of the great things the Booster Club does for the players.

Stephen Morrow later presented Abe and Brenda Wyant with the "Fan of the Year Award" though one of the recipients was a little bashful which shows the kind of modest people the Booster Club has among its members.

"She does all the cooking for the players on Saturdays," said Abe of his wife. "She really does a lot for them and they love it."

During the evening, Potomac Nationals owner Art Silber served as the event's emcee by introducing his family to the crowd including the newest family member, Jamie Weiss who became Silber's third grandchild in November.

Silber later introduced Congressman Davis who took time out of a very hectic schedule to be at the event. Congressman Davis spoke to everyone and placed a few bids in the silent auction to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area.

Congressman Davis is an old pro when it comes to hanging out around the ballpark as he and his son, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Arlington, still enjoy the occasional home run derby contest between the two.

"Last year, I think [Congressman Davis] even hit one off the wall," Silber mentioned during his speech.

Then it was time for Holland to address the crowd for the first time as General Manager of the team. Holland spoke of some of the ideas planned for the 2006 season including a new "F. U. N." customer service program as well as introducing his staff.

"We're really excited about the upcoming season and I think that it's going to be a great one," Holland said.

Following the staff's introduction dinner was served. Following the meal, Holland then spoke again and presented the high school softball and baseball player of the year awards to Sara Himan and Tony Pasquariello.

As the second half of the evening continued, it was time for Tavares and Uhlich to speak to the crowd. One of the key points Tavares talked about was what the Nationals are looking for in players to represent the team and how it relates to fan interaction with those players at all levels.

"Character is a separator for us, we're looking for players with a great work ethic," Tavares said. "The most important thing for a young kid is if he's coachable. If kids aren't coachable, they usually don't make the Major Leagues."

One of the key components of enjoying a Minor League game is the accessibility of the players to the fans. It's not uncommon to see players talking with fans before and sometimes during games and Tavares' statement said that Potomac Nationals fans will have plenty of players that are approachable donning the red, white and blue.

Tavares also spoke about the Washington Nationals line-up, what the rotation looks to be, who is looking to play where, who is battling for which positions, and briefly addressed the Alfonso Soriano situation in addition to his comments of his workings with the City Council.

Uhlich then took the podium and talked about the planned Washington Nationals stadium saying it, "won't be a cookie cutter, retro-style stadium."

"People have been up to Camden Yards and enjoy that park but what we have heard is that people don't want that here. They want something new and innovative," Uhlich said.

Included in the proposed layout will be a split concourse that will allow for fans in both the upper deck and lower deck to still see the action while away from their seats. The upper deck will also provide views of downtown Washington D. C. including the Capitol building.

Once all of the awards were given away, and the 50/50 drawing took place, it was time to close the silent auction. All of the proceeds raised from the silent auction and 50/50 raffle went to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area. In fact, the entire amount of money raised from the raffle went to the charity as Marty Nohe, Prince William County Supervisor, donated his winnings which meant over $120 from the raffle alone went to benefit a great cause. In total, the amount donated from the auction and the raffle came to over $2,500.

Even though it was delayed nearly a month, the Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet was yet another success and created an excitement usually reserved for in years past for teams who were close to their Major League affiliate.

Now, the fans in northern Virginia can feel that excitement for years to come and know that they're going to be coming out to see their home team.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics



Carolina League Stories from March 15, 2006


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