Nationals fans will be able to cheer for their favorite players at NatsFest this Saturday. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills
-USA TODAY Sports
Not all Nationals fans enjoy tracking the free agent signings and trades that characterize the baseball offseason. For some, the offseason can be excruciatingly long, boring and painful. Luckily for them, they can get a break from the offseason and a preview of the 2014 Washington Nationals at this year’s NatsFest.
NatsFest is the team’s annual winter fan fest, in which fans of all ages get to interact with their favorite players in a variety of fun-filled activities throughout the day. This year’s event will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 25th.
NatsFest may only last four hours, but those four hours will be jam-packed with a wide range of activities for all fans. From autographs, to player photos, to batting cages, to Q and A sessions with players and much more, this year’s NatsFest promises to be as exciting as ever.
"“We’re scheduled to have the whole club there. We’ve got a lot of things going on, it’s a fun couple of days. You’re going to see all of your favorite players and interact with them. It’s a lot of fun, it’s a time when you can get really up close and personal with the players and they’re very open to signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans.” -General manager Mike Rizzo discussing NatsFest on MLB Network yesterday."
Mike Rizzo isn’t the only one excited about the event, as several players have taken to social media to let fans know not only that they’re going, but that they can’t wait to go.
@GioGonzalez47 GG how's your beard?#natsfest #beardfest
— Ryan Mattheus (@RyanMattheus) January 21, 2014
Just got my itinerary for @Nationals fan fest! Who's ready? I better see a bunch of people out this year! #LovemyFans
— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) January 21, 2014
NatsFest is an incredible opportunity for fans to get to know players in a way that is impossible during the season. The fact that almost all players will be in attendance just goes to show how great this organization treats its fans-especially considering that most baseball fan fests usually consist of only a handful of players.
It may not be Opening Day, but NatsFest should help fill the baseball void for many Nationals fans. For those of you who cannot attend the event, District on Deck has you covered, as we will be covering NatsFest before, during and after the event. Stay tuned!
Players expected to attend include:
- Jerry Blevins
- Tyler Clippard
- Ross Detwiler
- Danny Espinosa
- Doug Fister
- Gio Gonzalez
- Scott Hairston
- Bryce Harper
- Ryan Mattheus
- Tyler Moore
- Ross Ohlendorf
- Anthony Rendon
- Tanner Roark
- Sammy Solis
- Steven Souza Jr.
- Denard Span
- Craig Stammen
- Drew Storen
- Stephen Strasburg
- Zach Walters
- Jayson Werth
- Matt Williams
For a full itinerary of the event and ticket information, visit the Washington Nationals’ website.