Nationals Game Excitement

Ryan Zimmerman and me at FanFest earlier this semester!

Charlotte and I got an early jump start on the game today and headed Target to pick up some baseballs with hopes of getting some autographs. We got to the ballpark just in time for the start of batting practice. After watching some of the Nationals hit bombs into the outfield bleachers, I decided it would be best to head down behind their dugout to try and acquire some autographs. As my luck would have it, I was able to meet and take a picture with All-Star shortstop Christian Guzman of the Nationals. I then stood around the Marlins dugout hoping to capture some more success in my trip and got third baseman Jorge Cantu's attention before he headed out for his rips in batting practice for an autograph. Just as he signed my ball, Marlins All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla walked right next to me. I went right up to him and he gave me a ball he just foul tipped at the plate and signed it for me as a memento. This was very special to me as on the previous three occassions that I met him during All-Star weekend in San Francisco last year I didn't have much luck with him despite his previous ties to the Diamondbacks. Minutes later Wes Helms, Jamey Carroll, and Josh Baker came out from their hitting sessions and each agreed to autograph a baseball for me. The amazing experience did not end there as I caught three more baseballs during batting practice and the game giving me six balls, six autographs, and a couple of picture opportunities with very good players. Even though I caught four balls I ended up giving one away to a five year old girl who was standing right next to me as I caught one and I felt it was the right thing to do given how sad she looked after not catching it. I also gave one to Charlotte to commemorate the surreal grab. To top the day off, I ended up sitting right behind the Marlins bullpen front row and just missed (the ball hit two rows above me) catching the Cody Ross home run ball that tied the score at three. Even though I attended the Nationals FanFest in January and got to meet some of the Nationals players, today topped that experience for me as it was a great day for baseball and gave me an experience that I will never forget at Nationals Park!