2014 Potomac Nationals' Season in Review
Amidst a remarkable 2014 Carolina League campaign both on and off the field, the Potomac Baseball franchise in Woodbridge, Virginia broke its single-season attendance record for the second consecutive year after 243,559 P-Nats fans came through the gates at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium. An average of 3,866 fans per game were in attendance at The Pfitz in 2014 which represents a 9.4% increase from the 2013 average attendance mark per game (3,534). In between the chalk, the red, white, and blue played to a league-best (39-32) record at home while finishing with a stellar (78-58) overall win-loss slate during the regular season.
After capturing both a First-Half and Second-Half Northern Division title, the P-Nats' magical journey culminated with the Nationals claiming their fifth Mills Cup Championship in team history by defeating the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Texas Rangers) three games to one in the final round of the Carolina League Playoffs.
The P-Nats as an organization once again raised over $100,000 across all of its fundraising arms in 2014 in an effort to maintain the longstanding tradition of supporting the Northern Virginia community monetarily and with their time while also staying connected with the club's dedicated fan base.
The creative and ambitious front office staff of the Potomac Nationals stepped up to the plate and produced a blockbuster promotional schedule in 2014 that was punctuated with a franchise-record 18 fireworks shows, the first-ever Bryce Harper P-Nats Bobblehead giveaway, the award-winning, one-of-a-kind Beard-A-Palooza Weekend featuring the Jayson Werth BobbleBeard giveaway, and the once-in-a-lifetime traveling circus act, the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo.
When placing the 2014 Potomac Nationals' season into perspective with respect to the annals of the Potomac Baseball franchise, it is safe to say this campaign was one of the most memorable in club history.
ON THE DIAMOND
The 2014 Potomac Nationals were a championship team that was devoid of many elite prospects, and still rattled off the second-most wins in the Carolina League (78). The '14 P-Nats, led by eventual circuit Manager of the Year, Tripp Keister, embodied a "grind-it-out" mentality that carried the "blue-collar" club all the way to the fifth Mills Cup title in Potomac Baseball franchise history.
The P-Nats relied on power amidst their thrilling 2014 title run as the bats produced 82 home runs during the regular campaign, good for 3rd in the league. The Nationals were tied for the 4th-best batting average (.258) in the eight-team league, scored the 3rd-most runs (635), and drove in the 3rd-most run tallies (572). Speed was also a factor in Keister's clubhouse as Nationals basestealers registered 137 stolen bases (3rd-best in the CL).
Situational hitting prowess was a hallmark of the P-Nats in 2014 as the team collectively submitted a .267 batting clip with runners in scoring position, and an identical .281 mark with runners on base and with the bases loaded, respectively.
Although "clutch hitting" is not an official statistic, the "cardiac P-Nats" were a team with ice water in their veins. The Nationals were seemingly never out of a game evident by their 14 walk-off victories and a whopping 31 wins when tied or trailing after six innings.
To the backdrop of another record-setting fan turnout at Pfitzner Stadium, the Nationals were dominant at home in the regular season, and also played to a stellar (39-26) ledger on the road. The P-Nats matched up well with their divisional opponents going (33-26) in clashes with the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles), Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta Braves), and Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals).
During the 2014 journey, Pfitzner Stadium crowds welcomed the likes of ten Washington Nationals who were assigned to Potomac for rehabilitation. That Major League list includes: RHP Doug Fister, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, 1B Adam LaRoche, 3B/LF Ryan Zimmerman, LHP Gio Gonzalez, IF/OF Jeff Kobernus, LF Bryce Harper, C Wilson Ramos, OF Eury Perez, and OF Steven Souza Jr.
The Potomac Nationals clubhouse featured a pair of mid-season Carolina League All-Stars in SS Stephen Perez and 1B Shawn Pleffner. At season's end, the league also honored 2B Tony Renda and 3B/DH Oscar Tejeda in addition to Perez and Pleffner as part of the season-long All-Star Roster.
Perez finished the 2014 regular season 3rd in the league in walks (72) and 5th in runs scored (70) to complement a sensational glove (.954 fielding percentage and 60 double plays in 543 total chances). The speedster led the Nationals in stolen bases (27).
Pleffner logged the 3rd-best batting average in the CL (.298 in 95 games) while stashing 106 base hits and collecting 44 runs batted in. Pleffner was a .373 hitter with runners in scoring position.
Renda, the 2014 Carolina League Batting Champion (.307 in 107 contests) ranked in the top-5 in the following CL offensive categories: hits (127, T-3rd), on-base percentage (.381, 2nd), and runs scored (75, T-3rd). Renda was the second-hardest batter in the league to strike out with an 8.00 total plate appearances per strikeout ratio.
Tejeda owned the best home run per at-bat ratio in the CL (one HR every 22.44 ABs) while pacing the P-Nats in round-trippers (16), SLG% (.460), and OPS (.778). Tejeda gashed the sole walk-off home run of the 2014 season at The Pfitz on July 27th which collided with the scoreboard as part of a two-home run night prompting Tejeda's promotion to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators after the P-Nats' 6-5 victory in 11 innings over the Carolina Mudcats (Cleveland Indians).
On the way to an overall 2014 regular season record that was twenty wins over the .500 mark (78-58), the P-Nats inked their fourth consecutive half-season division championship going back to the All-Star break of 2013 by clinching a 3-0 shutout victory over Wilmington at Frawley Stadium to ensure the Nationals home field advantage in the Northern Division Championship Series.
En route to the club's ninth-ever Northern Division pennant, the red, white, and blue went (5-1) in the 2014 Carolina League Playoffs.
The Nationals sunk Lynchburg in the NDCS with a two-game sweep thanks to a combined 13.0 innings from starting pitchers, LHP Hector Silvestre and RHP Brian Rauh in which the duo allowed just two total runs.
In the Mills Cup Championship Series, the P-Nats dropped Game One by the score of 2-0 away from home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Texas Rangers), then squared up the best-of-five set on a three-run home run off the stick of eventual series Most Valuable Player, DH John Wooten which broke up a scoreless tie in Game Two. Back in the familiar setting of Pfitzner Stadium, Potomac overcame a 7-2 deficit in Game Three to topple the birds 12-7 matching Myrtle Beach's six-run 3rd inning with their own six-run explosion in the 4th frame. Wooten homered twice during the breathtaking comeback victory which gave the Nationals a 2-1 series edge. In the Game Four championship clincher, LF Randolph Oduber socked a three-run dinger over the left field wall in the opening inning and the Nationals never looked back winning by the final score of 5-1. Silvestre, the winning pitcher, along with RHP Manny Rodriguez, and RHP Gilberto Mendez combined to retire the final 19 batters of the game in succession to set off a frenzy at Pfitzner Stadium as the Potomac Nationals were crowned 2014 Carolina League Champions.
Highlighting the bridge from The Pfitz to "The Show," eight former P-Nats made their Major League debut in 2014 including: OF Billy Burns (Oakland), LHP Pat McCoy (Detroit), C Adrian Nieto (Chicago-AL), LHP Robbie Ray (Detroit), RHP Aaron Barrett (Washington), RHP Taylor Hill (Washington), OF Steven Souza Jr. (Washington), and OF Michael Taylor (Washington).
Burns was traded to the Oakland Athletics by Washington last winter in exchange for LHP Jerry Blevins. McCoy was signed as a Minor League Free Agent in December of 2013 by the Detroit Tigers. Nieto was acquired last off-season from the Nationals by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. Before the 2014 season, Ray was packaged with LHP Ian Krol and IF/OF Steve Lombardozzi in a swap with the Detroit Tigers that netted Washington RHP Doug Fister.
Barrett, Hill, Souza Jr., and Taylor are all officially "homegrown" after graduating to the Big Leagues with the team that drafted them, the Washington Nationals.
Burns, Nieto, Ray, Hill, and Taylor were members of the 2013 Potomac Nationals Roster that submitted the P-Nats' franchise record for both wins (84) and winning percentage (.604).
At the Major League level, among the 40-man Washington Nationals Roster at the end of the '14 postseason, 29 players previously appeared in a P-Nats uniform in their career as either a full-time player or while making a rehabilitation appearance down on the farm.
Following the completion of the Minor League season, the Washington Nationals sent a slew of players to the hallowed desert prospect showcase, the Arizona Fall League and five of these prospects have ties to the Potomac Nationals. P-Nats alumni faction who competed in the AFL includes: RHP Neil Holland, RHP Derek Self, LHP Matt Grace, Renda, and C Pedro Severino.
P-NATS' PINNACLE PROMOTIONAL PROWESS
As the Potomac Nationals celebrated 30 seasons of baseball at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium during the 2014 campaign, the P-Nats' fan base was treated to the pinnacle level of entertainment value in the Carolina League.
The Potomac Nationals unveiled a club-record 18 fireworks shows, 15 premium giveaways including the award-winning, nationally renowned Jayson Werth BobbleBeard and the Werth "Wolf-A-rine," (half-Werth, half-Werewolf) as well as P-Nats bobbleheads of former first round draft picks, Bryce Harper (first-ever in P-Nats uniform) and Anthony Rendon (who began his full-season career with the P-Nats), five game used and autographed throwback jersey auctions, and a visit from the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo with Tim "Wild Thang" Lepard & Team Ghost Riders as seen on ESPN's E:60 program.
Most notably, the Potomac Nationals hosted "Beard-A-Palooza Weekend" which included the inaugural "Beard Olympics" and the "Jayson Werth BobbleBeard Giveaway" from Friday, June 13th through Sunday, June 15th. Beard-related events took over Pfitzner Stadium all weekend long. After the official, on-field opening Beard-A-mony, a "Parade of Beards" culminated in the lighting of the Beard Torch. The beardamonial first pitch led up to a hairy national anthem. In honor of Friday the 13th, the P-Nats handed out an award to the hairiest and scariest beard in Northern Virginia. The themed weekend's shaggy centerpiece was certainly the Jayson Werth BobbleBeard Giveaway. Werth's "BobbleBeard" likeness featured an actual hairy beard that served as the hallmark of the collectable figure. It took just 13 minutes to distribute a 1,000 count of the bushiest giveaway item in the history of Minor League Baseball. In the interest of prickly pageantry, the between-inning promotions all weekend included a "Name That Beard" contest in addition to beard trivia on the video board. The Nationals offered a bevy of bearded food items in the concessions stand served by bearded workers. Dressed up offerings included bearded nachos, the BeardFather, and a mini corn dog beard basket (hold the hair). At the conclusion of each game, all beards were invited to join a bearded edition of race the bases. Throughout Beard-A-Palooza Weekend, The Pfitz also played host to the first annual Beard Olympics with competitions including the fastest, longest, and strongest beards. The first-ever "Beard Tasting" in the history of the world featured blindfolded beards tasting and then guessing sauces directly off the fake beards of Potomac Nationals' promotional staff members. There was also a Beard vs. Food competition in the ballpark café that included a race to see which beard could inhale a cup of nacho cheese the fastest. Sunday's game wrapped up a beard-filled weekend of furry festivities with the closing Beard-A-mony that commenced the Beard Olympics and recognized the Beard Olympics Champion who now owns the Beard-A-Palooza Title Belt.
For this immaculately creative piece of Minor League ingenuity, the P-Nats received the Minor League Baseball June Promotion of the Month Award, and were automatically nominated for Golden Bobblehead Award consideration at the 2014 MiLB Promotional Seminar.
The Jayson Werth BobbleBeard was featured on national television shows, Baseball Tonight (ESPN), SportsCenter (ESPN), and Intentional Talk (MLB Network).
The following regional/national online media outlets promoted Beard-A-Palooza Weekend, Beard Olympics, and/or the Jayson Werth BobbleBeard:
-MLB.com Cut 4
-Washington Post DC Sports Bog
-CBSSports.com Eye on Baseball
-Yahoo Sports Big League Stew
-FOXSports.com Yard Barker
-Sports Illustrated Extra Mustard
-NESN
NOTE: Following Beard-A-Palooza Weekend, the Potomac Nationals shipped a box of BobbleBeards directly to "The Wolf," Washington Nationals superstar, Jayson Werth so the slugger (and notorious collector of his own likeness) could add the giveaway item to his personal collection.
Beard-A-Palooza Weekend was also nominated for a 2014 "Best Promo" MiLBY Award given annually to the top promotional effort in all of Minor League Baseball.
The Cowboy Monkey Rodeo is an internationally recognized live animal entertainment act that features capuchin monkeys riding sheep dogs herding livestock. Lepard and Team Ghost Riders have performed at destinations around Minor League Baseball, and even at the home of the 2013 AFC Champion, Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Nationals brought the CMR to The Pfitz for the first time ever and the act produced a sellout crowd and one of the best ambiences at the yard all season long.
A quintet of commemorative jerseys were auctioned off including replicas of uniform tops worn during the eras of the Prince William Pirates (1984-1986) and the Prince William Cannons (1989-1998) in addition to very unique branded Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Foundation, Iron Man™, and Autism Awareness jerseys, as well.
The club unveiled a Potomac Nationals Wall of Fame up the First Base Line along the Home Clubhouse to pay tribute to former P-Nats players who have graduated to the Washington Nationals.
A host of celebrity appearances dotted the P-Nats promotional calendar including visits from: Washington Capitals legend, Rod Langway, WWF Hall of Famer, Ted DiBiase, the "Million Dollar Man," former Baltimore Orioles standout, Scott McGregor, former Washington Redskins great, Dexter Manley, and former Prince William Cannons hurler, Rick Ankiel (who was inducted into the Potomac Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014).
The Potomac Nationals partnered up with area sponsors on these additional 2014 giveaway items:
-2014 and 2015 Magnet Schedules
-2013 P-Nats Player of the Year, Michael Taylor Jersey Pillow
-Bryce Harper P-Nats T-Shirt
-Poster Series featuring: Taylor Jordan (MLB Debut), Anthony Rendon (MLB Debut), Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper, and Ryan Zimmerman
-Bryce Harper Warriorblack Poster
-2014 Team Photo
-2014 Team Poster
-2014 P-Nats Logo Baseball
-2014 P-Nats Adjustable Hat
-2014 Playoffs Rally Towels
-Rick Ankiel Prince William Cannons Throwback T-Shirt (Hall of Fame Induction)
Standout theme nights for the 2014 season included: Football Night, Hockey Night, Friday the 13th Night, Wing Fling, Man vs. Food II, Health and Wellness Night, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Food Truck Nights, Halfway to St. Patty's Day, and Bark in the Park Days.
Military Appreciation Night, a hallmark of the Potomac franchise, honored the armed forces community in Northern Virginia to pay respect to the military-rich region that surrounds Pfitzner Stadium.
As always, the most exciting stretch of the 2014 season was Fourth of July Weekend from Friday, July 4th to Sunday, July 6th when P-Nats fans were able to purchase "Food, Fireworks, & Fun" loaded tickets that included a pre-game picnic pass, a reserved ticket, and the biggest fireworks blast-off of the season.
The P-Nats' 2014 weekly promotional schedule looked like this…
DOLLAR MONDAYS: $1 General Admission Tickets and $1 Hot Dogs
TWO-FOR-TUESDAYS: 2 Tickets, 2 Hot Dogs, & 2 Small Sodas for the Price of One
BELLYBUSTER WEDNESDAYS: GA ticket with All-you-can-eat meal provided by local restaurants
THURSDAY CHEERS: Discounted Drink Specials
PREMIUM GIVEAWAY FRIDAYS: GIVEAWAYS! GIVEAWAYS! GIVEAWAYS!
FIREWORKS SATURDAYS: FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS!
FAMILY SUNDAYS: Pre-game Player Autograph Station, Kids Run the Bases, Catch on the Field, and Fireworks Shows in Second Half of Season.Second-half fireworks shows on Sundays returned in 2014 much to the gratitude of the P-Nats fan base with all Sunday games after the Carolina League All-Star Break beginning at 6:05pm followed by a fireworks extravaganza.
Kids had the opportunity to run the bases after every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday game during the 2014 campaign.
New for 2014, the always-popular, Tennis Ball Toss ran after all 70 games where fans were able to purchase tennis balls during the game to throw onto the field post-game in order to unlock prizes from corporate sponsors of the Potomac Nationals.
The most active social media campaigns of the 2014 calendar year included a fan-oriented activation program that took place before first pitch of Opening Day was even thrown. The Nationals ran a P-Nats Snowman Contest after the first snow of the winter season and in turn, received a monumental response where fans received prizes for sending in pictures of their P-Nats-themed snowman. After winning the 2014 Mills Cup Trophy, the Nationals are igniting the official "Mills Cup Tour" which will include social media interaction and incentive for P-Nats fans to post their pictures with the Mills Cup Trophy at participating businesses in the P-Nats' community.
The Nationals also orchestrated the inaugural P-Nats Polar Plunge that featured fans holding themselves under ice-filled water inside of the home clubhouse "cold tub" to win season tickets for the 2014 season. Due to the terrific turnout, this is now an annual off-season hype-up event to keep P-Nats Baseball fresh in the minds of fans even amidst arctic temperatures outside.
There is no doubt that the 2014 P-Nats Baseball journey packed not only the most potent entertainment punch in the Carolina League, but this past promo lineup also represented the best promotional and marketing synergy encapsulated in one year in the history of the Potomac Baseball franchise. This is a credit to the creativity, sales acumen, and diligence of the talented Potomac Nationals front office staff. This group has embodied the spirit of enterprising in the Minor League Baseball promotional landscape.
OUTSIDE THE CHALK & IN THE COMMUNITY
The 2014 Potomac Nationals players, coaching staff members, and front office team continued to operate as a beacon of goodwill and community service to the Northern Virginia public and to non-profit organizations around the region.
While raising a six-figure fundraising total during the 2014 calendar year and a donation of $15,000 to local baseball teams, the P-Nats made a difference in the lives of our local community in a bevy of versatile ways.
In advance of each season, the Potomac Nationals host an annual hot stove banquet featuring special guests from the Washington Nationals and a sports memorabilia silent auction where P-Nats fans gather to hype the start of the baseball campaign. All of the funds raised during this sports auction go directly to S.P.A.R.K. (Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids), a support arm of the Prince William County Public School system. Helping students reach their full potential by supporting this academic enrichment program has been a remarkable way for the Potomac Nationals to usher in the baseball season for the last six years.
In keeping with a longstanding tradition, the Potomac Nationals took their most viral member of the team, official mascot, Uncle Slam, into elementary schools to remind children how important reading is to their development as a young person. Uncle Slam's Reading Program kicks off in February and runs through the month of June and has been a trademark community program for the P-Nats for the last decade. Uncle Slam rewards children for reading four books by coming out to their school and performing a live action reading of Casey At Bat along with members of the Nationals' staff. This reading program has become an annual staple of the P-Nats' community outreach initiatives. Over 200,000 kids have been impacted over the last eleven years by this fun way to connect children with the importance of reading in an environment that includes a familiar representative of their local Minor League Baseball team.
Throughout the season, the Potomac Nationals offer a unique fundraising opportunity for non-profit organizations, schools, and charity groups in which these members may purchase general admission tickets for only $4 and then re-sell the tickets for a profit in an effort to raise money for their association. In addition, these groups receive special tickets with the organization printed on the face of the voucher while being featured on the video board in the outfield and over the public address microphone during the game. These featured community groups also have the chance to run 50/50 raffles to further their fundraising opportunity. A remarkable win/win program for community group leaders in Northern Virginia and the Potomac Nationals, this is a fundraising agenda that can be executed at any point during the P-Nats Baseball season.
HomeAid Northern Virginia, a non-profit started in 2001 by the members of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA), once again held their annual "Night at the Ballpark" with the Potomac Nationals. HomeAid NoVA has now been a community partner of the P-Nats for the last four seasons. Exposure at Pfitnzer Stadium affords HomeAid Northern Virginia the invaluable opportunity to network with other businesses, give back to the homeless population, and raise funds which go back to those people who live without a home in our region. The Nationals also held a clothing drive near season's end for Women Giving Back, an additional non-profit branch of HomeAid NoVA.
For the second straight year, Make-A-Wish Foundation's Mid-Atlantic branch engaged in a commemorative game used and autographed jersey auction to support children who have life-threatening illnesses. P-Nats players and coaching staff members visited with the Make-A-Wish kids on the field and played catch before a game, signed autographs, and most importantly granted the wishes of many children who wanted to step onto a professional baseball diamond and feel like a baseball hero. During the game, all the Make-A-Wish children rounded the bases slapping hands with P-Nats players and coaches and the visiting dugout before crossing home plate for a home run. This was one of the most meaningful images among all Pfitzner Stadium exploits in 2014.
Also, for the second time in succession, the Nationals, in conjunction with Autism Speaks and title sponsor, Lindsay Automotive, ran a special jersey auction to benefit the non-profit group on Autism Awareness Day at The Pfitz. Autism Speaks received all funds raised in the jersey auction and had the opportunity to disseminate autism awareness information throughout the ballgame to promote understanding of this disorder.
The P-Nats welcomed area children to the Pfitzner Stadium diamond for an annual Easter Egg Hunt in 2014 while the team was competing on the road. Uncle Slam led the parade of youngsters searching for treasures scattered inside the eggs that blanketed the playing surface at The Pfitz.
The Potomac Baseball franchise, in a joint partnership with a non-profit organization, holds an annual charity golf tournament. In 2014, to benefit SYA Baseball, the Nationals held their golf tourney on the links at Old Hickory Golf Club, a local golf course in Woodbridge, VA which is a long fly ball from Pfitzner Stadium. Members of the Washington Nationals and Potomac Nationals staffs in addition to P-Nats sponsors, season ticket holders, and group leaders collaborate for a fun afternoon of golf to support a local ball team.
Stonewall Jackson High School Night and Osbourn Park High School Night at Pfitzner Stadium in 2014 were great successes for these neighborhood public schools and the Potomac Nationals. Students from SJHS and OPHS came out in droves to support an evening of baseball directly engineered to benefit the schools' athletic departments. The P-Nats wore Prince William Pirates and Prince William Cannons replica jerseys for each night, respectively, and these uniform tops were auctioned off to the P-Nats' faithful to support each school.
An annual staple of the P-Nats' promotional schedule, Military Appreciation Night has become an invaluable partnership between the Nationals, their presenting sponsors, and the men and women of the United States armed services including their families. Nationals' players, coaches, front office staff, and fans had the opportunity to pay their respects to all active and former military members in attendance and within the Northern Virginia area. In conjunction with Reality Realty, 95 Express Lanes and Transurban, Renewal by Andersen, and Stratford University, military personnel and their families in the Northern Virginia area joined the P-Nats on this special night of appreciation for the real heroes of our great country. Admission for military families and personnel was free thanks to the Nationals' sponsors. A portion of the proceeds from the night went to T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) and Wounded Warrior Regiments. Retired military vehicles were displayed for fans to observe and take pictures with.
Nationals players participated in a series of summer baseball camps (four total camp dates) for area youth to learn from the professionals. Fundamentals including hitting, pitching, fielding, catching, baserunning, and sportsmanship were covered in these intimate one-on-one teaching sessions. The P-Nats provided lunch to all the baseball campers following an exciting day at Pfitzner Stadium while players signed autographs for the future stars of Minor League Baseball.
Many of the same children who participated in the Potomac Nationals Baseball Camps were already a member of Uncle Slam's Kids Club which is free to kids 12 and under. These young P-Nats fans receive a free ticket to every Sunday home game at The Pfitz, get to participate in summer events such as lazer tag, a meet-and-greet with the P-Nats, the Easter Egg Hunt, ice cream socials, and a trip to a local waterpark.
Scout Nights returned to The Pfitz in 2014 featuring the opportunity for area scout kids to take the field pre-game for a scout parade and color guard presentation, enjoy a P-Nats game, and then camp out post-game under the stars while watching a baseball-themed movie on the same field utilized by the Potomac Nationals.
Leading up to Opening Day 2014, the Potomac Nationals donated their field tarp to the University of Mary Washington Baseball program in Fredericksburg, Virginia in an ongoing effort to bolster the resources of amateur and collegiate baseball in the Northern Virginia region. UMW Baseball had problems with their previous field tarp and required a solution to guarantee playable conditions at V. Earl Dickinson Stadium.
For all broken bats at Pfitzner Stadium during the 2014 Carolina League season, the P-Nats front office will be planting an equal number of trees during a post-season ceremony within Prince William County as a show of good faith towards preserving the environment in Northern Virginia.
The P-Nats welcomed over 20,000 people to 7 County Complex Court in one day during the 2014 summer for the Prince William County Community Health Expo where area folks were versed on the most healthy practices to live a better life.
The Potomac Nationals were proud to host a Father's Day Picnic to thank dads in the community. During the Father's Day Picnic with the P-Nats, there was a Pit Master on site providing professional insider grilling tips, a craft brewer from Port City Brewing Company talking about the intricacies of brewing craft beers, P-Nats Head Groundskeeper, Bryan Bonnell speaking on best practice lawn care techniques, Potomac Nationals Vice President/General Manager, Josh Olerud giving a behind-the-scenes speech on running a professional Minor League Baseball franchise, and Nationals Field Manager, Tripp Keister meeting and greeting P-Nats fans and fielding questions about the 2014 season. Father's Day with the Potomac Nationals complemented Superhero Day in which Potomac Nationals players and coaching staff members wore customized, one-of-a-kind Iron Man™ themed jerseys during that day's contest which were auctioned off during the game.
Community Nights were once again a big hit at Pfitzner Stadium! Sponsors paid for thousand blocks of P-Nats tickets for one game that were shared to their customers, clients, family, and friends. In 2014, the Nationals far surpassed the turnout of Community Night guests compared to the 2013 season. Community Night sponsoring businesses received the opportunity to have their company logo on commemorative ticket stock, table at the event, receive video board and public address announcement exposure, and inclusion in all pre-promotion while their loyal customers saw a P-Nats game free of charge thanks to the business.
The P-Nats hosted the third annual Guns vs. Hoses Charity Softball Game as members of the Prince William County Police Department squared off against the Yorkshire Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. An array of police officers and fire department members and their families enjoyed a relaxing day at the ballpark while renewing a yearly rivalry by competing in softball on the very same field used by the future stars of the Washington Nationals. Both the PWC Police Department and the Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Squad were able to provide safety tips to fans, display emergency vehicles, and be recognized for the invaluable work they do while protecting our neighborhoods.
Pfitzner Stadium also served as the kickoff site for the 2015 World Police and Fire Games. To raise awareness for next summer's World Police and Fire Games that will take place in Fairfax County and the National Capital Region June 26 through July 5, 2015, the Potomac Nationals and Fairfax 2015 joined forces to kick off Police Week through a day of fun on the baseball diamond with public safety heroes and their families. The game was followed by a fireworks display. The first 1,000 fans in attendance received a co-branded 2015 World Police and Fire Games and Potomac Nationals baseball and appearances by Screech, The Washington Nationals Mascot, Racing President, George Washington, and former Baltimore Orioles standout, Scott McGregor underscored the evening. The event featured a display of public safety vehicles and the Fairfax County Police Department Mobile Command Center. Prior to the game, the P-Nats and WPFG hosted a baseball clinic for the children of public safety personnel. Staffed by current Potomac Nationals players, the clinic gave children ages 5-12 the opportunity to learn from the best while later enjoying a picnic and the Pfitzner Stadium Fun-Land Kids Zone. The World Police and Fire Games is an Olympic style event featuring 60 individual and team sports plus first responder specific activities such as ultimate fire fighter and muster. The events will take place at 53 venues throughout the region. The Games will draw more than 12,000 athletes from 70 countries.
P-Nats fans received the opportunity to save money and the environment with "Recyling Pays" nights thanks to the Prince William County Solid Waste Division Recycling Program. All fans who showed up to the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office on each game day with recyclables in hand received half-off general admission tickets. In addition, everyone who tweeted or posted to Facebook a picture of themselves recycling inside the ballpark during the July 18th game received a ticket to the second recycling night on August 15th. On the second night, the P-Nats' faithful could also bring recyclables to receive 50% off GA tickets for that evening's game and could use social media to display the importance of recycling at The Pfitz to receive an undated ticket voucher for the 2015 season.
The P-Nats also worked with ACTS (Action in Community Through Service) for a food drive during the holiday season to catalyze canned food donations for those in need and an annual walk after the postseason that culminated at The Pfitz. The Nationals partnered with BROOD (Basset Hound Rescue of Old Dominion) on "Bark in the Park" days to raise awareness for basset hound rescue and adoption, Good Shepherd Housing Foundation with providing a location for vulnerable individuals and families with low income to begin the process of finding housing, and the Lions Club on a bevy of neighborhood civic issues including care for seniors, eyeglasses for children, food drives, clothing drives, and fundraising for less-advantaged people and those afflicted with illness, disorder, and disease. Potomac Nationals players and coaching staff members made public appearances once a week throughout the 2014 regular season.
After 37 seasons of operation in Prince William County, Virginia, the Potomac Baseball franchise continues its mission to give back to the Northern Virginia community through monetary donations, service, club generosity, and using the conduit of professional baseball to better the lives of P-Nats fans young and old while serving as a bastion of goodwill and prosperity.
2014 P-NATS FAST FACTS
The Potomac Nationals continue to exemplify the hallmarks of a stable, community-minded, prolific Minor League Baseball franchise staple.
After 37 years as a Minor League club, the Potomac Nationals organization established these benchmarks in 2014:
*Potomac Baseball franchise has been owned and operated by Art Silber for 25 years
*Potomac owns five (5) Mills Cup Championships and nine (9) Carolina League Northern Division Pennants
*Nationals have captured four consecutive regular-campaign, half-season Northern Division titles
*P-Nats set a single-season franchise record for attendance in 2014 (243,559)
*With an attendance mark of over 235,000 fans, the P-Nats have now eclipsed the 200,000 fan threshold for the twelfth time in franchise history dating back to the 1990 Prince William Cannons (New York Yankees) who accomplished this feat for the first time
*Single-game attendance at Pfitzner Stadium in 2014 was up 9.4% (3,534)
*Nationals owned the best home record in the Carolina League during the 2014 campaign (39-32)
*P-Nats raised over $100,000 through community service avenues in 2014 calendar year
*Club donated $15,000 to area baseball programs during the 2014 season
*P-Nats players and coaching staff made at least one public appearance per week during 2014 regular season
*P-Nats nominated for Golden Bobblehead Award in 2014 for Jayson Werth BobbleBeard plus Beard-A-Palooza Weekend; won Minor League Baseball June Promotion of the Month Award
*Potomac received national media attention for the Jayson Werth BobbleBeard Giveaway plus Beard-A-Palooza Weekend and for stadium operational decision to suspend Belgian beer taps following the US Men's National Soccer Team's loss to Team Belgium in the World Cup during the 2014 campaign
*Team put on a club-record eighteen (18) fireworks shows in 2014
*Celebrities to visit The Pfitz in 2014 include: World Wrestling Federation Hall of Famer, Ted "The Million Dollar Man" DiBiase, Baltimore Orioles great, Scott McGregor, Washington Capitals legend, Rod Langway, Washington Redskins mainstay, Dexter Manley, and Potomac Baseball Hall of Famer, Rick Ankiel
*Eight(8) former P-Nats made their Major League debut in 2014 including: OF Billy Burns (Oakland), LHP Pat McCoy (Detroit), C Adrian Nieto (Chicago-AL), LHP Robbie Ray (Detroit), RHP Aaron Barrett (Washington), RHP Taylor Hill (Washington), OF Steven Souza Jr. (Washington), and OF Michael Taylor (Washington)
*Washington Nationals sent ten (10) players down on rehabilitation to Potomac Nationals in 2014 including: RHP Doug Fister, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, 1B Adam LaRoche, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, LHP Gio Gonzalez, OF Jeff Kobernus, LF Bryce Harper, C Wilson Ramos, OF Eury Perez, and OF Steven Souza Jr.
*Among the 40-man Washington Nationals Roster at the end of the '14 postseason, 29 players previously appeared in a P-Nats uniform in their career as either a full-time player or while making a rehabilitation appearance down on the farm.
*P-Nats honored with two (2) mid-season Carolina League All-Stars in 2014 (SS Stephen Perez and 1B Shawn Pleffner) in addition to four (4) year-end circuit All-Stars (Perez, Pleffner, 2B Tony Renda, and DH Oscar Tejeda) plus Carolina League Manager of the Year, Tripp Keister
*Former Prince William Cannons LHP Rick Ankiel (1998) became the 10th member of Potomac Baseball Hall of Fame in '14