Although The Potomac Nationals might be pretty disappointed right now hearing the news of Stephen Strasburg bypassing Single A Baseball and being optioned to Double A Harrisburg to begin his 2010 season by Our General Mike Rizzo--The Bowie BaySox management must be dancing in the aisles. The Harrisburg Senators play a three game set during The Eastern League's first week of play in April at Prince Georges County Stadium in Maryland.
Games four through six of the young season are scheduled for Monday April 12th, Tuesday April 13th and Wednesday April 14 at the cozy ballpark located just off Route 50 in suburban D.C. Individual tickets to Bowie BaySox games do not go on sale until March 27th. But with Our Washington Nationals playing in Philadelphia against The Phillies during that same time frame--you can bet many Washington fans will be at Prince Georges County Stadium on one of those three nights--if Stephen Strasburg is on the mound throwing.
Bowie--Here We Come.
PS: Harrisburg doesn't play at the new Eastern League Richmond (Virginia) FLYING Squirrels (is that better Mike?) until June 1st. Barring injury, you can pretty much bet Stephen Strasburg will be long gone from The Senators by that time.
Finally, here is the complete press release from the team including sending Matt Chico down alongside Strasburg & Drew Storen.
NATIONALS TRIM ROSTER TO 39
The Washington Nationals today optioned right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg to Double-A Harrisburg of the Eastern League and left-handed pitcher Matt Chico to Triple-A Syracuse of the International League. Additionally, the Nationals re-assigned right-handed pitcher Drew Storen, left-handed pitcher Doug Slaten and catcher Jamie Burke to minor-league camp. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
The Nationals currently have 39 players in their big league camp.
Strasburg Photo--Nats320--All Rights Reserved
Flying Squirrels, SBF! Flying Squirrels. Don't forget the Flying. Yes, my town actually voted for that name.
ReplyDeleteMuch better, thanks. The Squirrels, uh, Flying Squirrels thank you, too!
ReplyDeleteIf the SS Strasburg pitches at Bowie, there could be more Nats hats in the stands than O's!
ReplyDeleteTrivia - In the contest to name the BaySox, Nationals was considered. At least according to wiki.
For once I'll have reason to visit Bowie this season. If we can actually get more Nats than O's fans in the park and make it known to management WE LIVE IN THE D.C. AREA, their attitude toward this being "Orioles Country" might change.
ReplyDeleteIf we had DEFENSIBLE territorial rights, there is no question that Bowie would be a Nationals affiliate.
Via ProQuest and the Washington Post, I verified that Nationals was one of the three finalists.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the team wanted to play at RFK for their first season in 1993, while they waited for the new ballpark to be built.
Scheduling conflicts there made Memorial Stadium their choice.
Another interesting note about RFK. If the District of Columbia had built The Redskins a new football stadium on East Capitol Street and torn down RFK in the early 90's--baseball might never have come back here.
ReplyDeleteHey SBF, I'm here to request some of your awesome investigative work. Have you heard anything about the team releasing the $5 grandstand seats for Opening Day on the day of? I remember them doing this for the inauguration of Nats Park, but I couldn't recall of they did it last year as well. Let us know if you hear anything!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Eddie: The $5 grandstand seats have the same procedure as in the years past. Available beginning 2 and 1/2 hours before game start--including Opening Day. One ticket per customer and you must enter Nationals Park immediately upon purchase.
ReplyDeleteOne day I hope that both the Potomac Nationals as well as the Harrisburg Senators play in a ballpark as beautiful as Prince George's Stadium.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice one Edward and I'm glad they haven't gone corporate with the name.
ReplyDelete