Washington Nationals Homestand Highlights vs. Miami Marlins & New York Mets

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball to broadcast Sept. 1 Nationals-Mets game; First Pitch scheduled for 8:06 p.m.

Throughout the upcoming homestand (Miami Marlins, August 27-29 & New York Mets, August 30-September 1), The Washington Post will present the fourth of five “5 Series” promotions featuring special offers like $5 tickets and $5 beer. Nationals fans can pick up the Wednesday, August 28 edition of The Washington Post for “5 Series” concession coupons. Some restrictions apply, while supplies last.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27

• USA Hockey Team Visit: The Nationals will welcome 48 marquee men’s ice hockey players from across the United States, all vying for a spot on the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team that will represent the U.S. in Sochi, Russia, this February. The players, including the Washington Capitals’ own John Carlson and Conn Smythe winner Patrick Kane, have been in the Nation’s Capital since Sunday participating in an orientation camp. As part of their visit to Nationals Park, the team will be honored during an on-field presentation before the game and select team members will take part in the In-Game Military Salute.
• Night OUT #2: In partnership with Team DC, the Nationals will host the second of two Nights OUT this season. Members of the LGBT community will take part in the following pregame ceremonies:
  • Ceremonial First Pitch will be thrown by Lori Lindsey, member of the Washington Spirit Women’s Professional Soccer Team
  • Lineup Card Delivery by Chris Balton, Commissioner of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association, host of the Gay Softball World Series
  • Play Ball Announcement by Doug Sanborn, Manager of Community Commerce and Partnerships for MillerCoors A portion of the proceeds from Night OUT ticket sales will benefit Team DC’s scholarship fund. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit nationals.com/nightout or call 202.675.NATS(6287).

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

• Hispanic Heritage Night: The Nationals will honor the contributions of the Hispanic community to baseball and society by hosting Hispanic-themed entertainment throughout the evening, including performances by Latin pop rock band Ocho de Bastos at the Miller Lite Scoreboard Walk and the dance group Sangre Boliviana in Center Field Plaza. The night will also include Hispanic music, trivia contests and prizes, as well as a pregame flag presentation featuring Nationals players with their respective home country’s flags. Fans can also enjoy video tributes that honor Hispanic athletes who have made significant contributions to baseball throughout the game. Members of the Hispanic community will take part in the following pregame ceremonies:
  • National Anthem will be performed by Baritone Javier Arrey, a graduate of the Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program
  • Lineup Card Delivery by Gilda Villela, 2013 Miss District of Columbia Latina
  • Game Ball Delivery by Rear Admiral Sam Perez, U.S. Navy
  • Starting Eight will be individuals from Centro Nia, a multicultural learning community focused on bilingual education

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

• Harper’s Heroes: Bryce Harper will host Harper’s Heroes before the Nationals take the field against the Marlins. In partnership with the Nationals and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Harper’s Heroes is a season-long program that treats families affected by childhood cancers to a fun-filled day at Nationals Park. The VIP experience includes a private meet and greet with Harper as well as a special batting practice viewing, T-shirts and tickets to the game, complete with NatsBucks.
• Hand Bell Musicians of America Performance: Approximately 500 musicians from the Hand Bell Musicians of America will attempt to set a world record with a performance of the National Anthem. Members of this society include a variety of directors of handbell or handchime choirs from across the country who host educational and performance events for musicians of all ages and skill levels.
• NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Presents Sammy Hagar: The fourth performance of the 2013 NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Series will feature “Red Rocker” Sammy Hagar, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award®-winning vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose, to his multiplatinum solo career and his ride as the front man of Van Halen, Hagar has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written. He’s also teamed with a superstar array of his legendary rock and country artist friends and bandmates, past and present, for his first-ever rock collaborations album, Sammy Hagar and Friends, to be released September 24. Fans of the NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Series will be among the first to hear select tracks from the album.The concert is free with a valid August 29 game ticket and will begin approximately 15 minutes after the game’s final out. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase a field pass for just $20 at the Advance Ticket Sales Window in Center Field Plaza when gates open at 4:30 p.m., while supplies last. Visit nationals.com/natslive for more information or to purchase game tickets. Due to the late timing of the evening’s events, fans should plan their travel accordingly, keeping in mind that Metro’s last train to all stations will depart Navy Yard at 11:20 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

• T-Shirt Giveaway Presented by American University: The first 20,000 fans to enter Nationals Park through the Center Field Gate will receive a Nationals WONK T-shirt. One promotional item per person, per ticket, based on availability.
• Postgame Fireworks Presented by American University: Following the game, Nationals fans can enjoy a special fireworks display courtesy of American University.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

• MedStar Health Youth Baseball Clinic: The Nationals will join MedStar Health in hosting the third and final MedStar Health Youth Baseball Clinic of the season, highlighting the importance of being active and maintaining a healthy diet. Local little leaguers were invited to take part in the free clinics, which include hands-on instruction from Nationals coaches. Following the clinic, a Nationals player will sign autographs for kids in attendance. Each participant will also receive a lunch as well as four game tickets to a future Nationals game, courtesy of MedStar Health.
• NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Presents Gavin DeGraw: The fifth performance of the 2013 NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Series will feature Gavin DeGraw, a singer, songwriter and musician whose 2003 debut album, Chariot, sold more than a million copies, earned platinum certification and yielded the hit single “I Don’t Want To Be.” DeGraw’s self-titled second album followed in 2008 and debuted at No. 1 on the digital sales chart and at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top 200, earning Gavin his first Top 10 album. In 2009, he released Free, a gift to die-hard fans clamoring for recorded versions of his live favorites.The concert is free with a valid August 31 game ticket and will begin approximately 15 minutes after the game’s final out. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase a field pass for just $20 at the Advance Ticket Sales Window in Center Field Plaza when gates open at 4:30 p.m., while supplies last. Visit nationals.com/natslive for more information or to purchase game tickets.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 
Due to ESPN’s selection for its Sunday Night Baseball telecast, the first pitch for the Nationals-Mets game at Nationals Park will be at 8:06 p.m. The Center Field Gate will open at 5:30 p.m. In addition, Kids Run the Bases will not take place due to the later game time. Fans should note this special start time and plan accordingly, keeping in mind that Metro’s last train to all stations will depart Navy Yard at 11:20 p.m.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION 
As a result of the various special and late-night events planned throughout the city this week, fans are encouraged to consider all options when traveling to Nationals Park. Visit nationals.com/waytogo for information on parking and additional routes to Nationals Park. To receive up-to-date WMATA service notifications on a mobile device, fans are encouraged to register for Alert DC at https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/.