Baseball Equipment Drive This Weekend

For the 5th consecutive season Our Washington Nationals will host a weekend baseball equipment drive in support of The District Of Columbia Public Schools. In partnership with Major League Baseball's Baseball Tomorrow Fund, Our Team will be collecting new and used baseball equipment (in very good condition) at the entrance gates this weekend at Nationals Park. For Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's Games against The St. Louis Cardinals, staff will be on hand at The Centerfield Gates to collect all donations. Additionally, as part of the recently announced D.C. Public Schools Initiative, The Baseball Tomorrow Fund will donate $5,000 to the school system's Athletic Departments.

Complete Details In The Press Release:

Washington Nationals Host Fifth Annual Baseball Equipment Drive Benefiting DC Public High School Athletic Departments

WHAT: The Washington Nationals, in partnership with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, will collect new and gently used baseball and softball equipment -- including bats, gloves, tees, baseballs, softballs and youth helmets -- during their weekend series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, May 1 through 3. Fans may donate items outside the Center Field Gates, located at Half and N Street, SE, from gate opening through the end of the fourth inning. The 2008 drive collected 10 bins of equipment and over $600 from Nationals fans, and was one of the most successful equipment drives in Major League Baseball. The equipment, along with a $5,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, will be awarded to the

DC Public High School Athletic Departments in honor of Nationals Pitchers Shairon Martis and Scott Olsen, as part of the recently-announced Nationals DC Public High School Initiative. The initiative also includes the opportunity for all DC Public High School Baseball teams to host one two-hour practice at Nationals Park, as well as an invitation to all DC Public High Schools to select one home game from a list of available dates to be billed as their night at the ballpark, which includes complimentary tickets for all students in the school and both a pregame and scoreboard recognition.

WHO: Washington Nationals

Baseball Tomorrow Fund

DC Public High Athletic Departments

WHEN: Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Day Time CF Gate Open

Friday, May 1 7:05pm 4:30pm

Saturday, May 2 1:05pm 10:30am

Sunday, May 3 1:35pm 11:00am

WHERE: Nationals Park

Center Field Gates

Half & N Street, SE

About Baseball Tomorrow Fund

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is designed to promote and enhance the growth of baseball throughout the world by funding programs, field improvements and equipment purchases to encourage and maintain youth participation in baseball and softball. Since its inception in 1999, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund has awarded grants totaling more than $10 million benefiting nearly 118,000 youth participating in more than 200 youth baseball and softball programs across the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. For more information visit www.baseballtomorrowfund.com.