Today’s first game was in Woodbridge, VA, right outside of D.C. for the Potomac Nationals game. Since the team’s first season in 1978 as the Alexandria Dukes, the team has gone through several name changes—as the Prince William Pirates, Prince William Yankees, Prince William Cannons, Potomac Cannons, and now the Potomac Nationals. Likewise, the MLB team affiliation has changed just as often, and former affiliations include the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Cincinnati Reds. The team is currently affiliated with the… yep you guessed it, Washington Nationals. The Nationals play their games at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, and have been since 1984. Although the ballpark has had some work done to it over the years, the original structure from 1984 still stands today. In the “more creative mascot” department, the Nationals mascot is named “Uncle Slam” and is dressed just like Uncle Sam. HA! Did you know that the (controversial) current homerun record holder Bary Bonds played his first professional baseball here as a member of the PW Pirates? It’s true! Thanks to Doug today for getting us setup and giving us a great item for our raffle!

Afterwards the Tour ventured into the city of D.C. to see the Nationals take on the Philadelphia Phillies. This is actually the first time I have seen the Phillies play this year with the exception of an exhibition game against the Red Sox. The Nationals play at RFK stadium, as they await the completion of a new stadium that is slated to open in 2008. The new stadium is not quite a throwback or retro stadium like many of the recently built stadiums, but is rather a “state-of-the-art” ballpark that will seat 41,000 fans. To no one’s surprise, it will be designed in collaboration with HOK Sport. Estimated budget… $611 million. Yikes.

As for the current RFK, it is probably the stadium (both Major or Minor) in the worst physical condition. The seats are as old as the hills, and the playing surface is in terrible shape. There are huge sections of grass missing from the outfield, and the most of the grass looks like it’s dead or soon to die. It’s hard to see if you are ever watching the Nationals on tv, but it really is a terrible ballpark. It also doesn’t help that the place seats 60,000 and usually less than 20,000 show up for any particular game. Tonight’s attendance was slightly higher with a bunch of Phillies fans coming down to the game. Even with the strong Phillies fan presence, the Nationals beat the Phillies 4-2.