Washington Nationals Announce 2010 Winter Caravan & NatsFest

The Washington Nationals today announced the schedule for their 2010 Winter Caravan when members of the Washington Nationals will tour the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area from January 27 to Saturday, January 30, and conclude with the second annual NatsFest at Nationals Park on Sunday, January 31. Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman, Players Brian Bruney, Matt Capps, Tyler Clippard, Adam Dunn, Danny Espinosa, John Lannan, Nyjer Morgan, Ivan Rodriguez, Ryan Speier, Craig Stammen, Drew Storen, Josh Willingham, Ryan Zimmerman, and broadcaster Rob Dibble will participate in all or part of the week's festivities. (A full schedule of player participation and scheduled appearances may be found below). The Nationals fifth Winter Caravan since the ballclub's arrival in Washington will take place over four days and feature meet-and-greets, autograph signings, community appearances and the second annual Hot Stove Luncheon. The 10-stop tour will include the ballclub's first-ever appearance in Prince George's County, with a visit to the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, where the ballclub and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation will make an announcement regarding plans to partner with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's Department of Parks and Recreation. Continuing their dedication to military programs, the team has partnered with the USO of Metropolitan Washington to prepare care packages at the Ft. Belvoir military base for servicemen and women stationed overseas. Public appearances include autograph stops at Hard Times Cafe in Arlington, VA, Build-A-Bear Workshop in McLean, VA, and at the White Flint Mall in Rockville, MD. (Media alerts with complete details on events will be distributed prior to each day's activities). The second annual Hot Stove luncheon will be held at Nationals Park on Friday, January 30, hosted by NBC "Meet the Press" Moderator and Nationals Season Ticket Holder David Gregory, providing Nationals Season Ticket Holders with the opportunity to hear the latest news on the team directly from those in charge - including President Stan Kasten, SVP and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Jim Riggleman. Nationals Season Ticket Holders will receive information on how to purchase tickets for the Luncheon via e-mail (there is limited seating for this event.) "The Nationals Winter Caravan and NatsFest is the perfect time for players and fans to get reacquainted before the team departs for Spring Training in Viera, FL," said Nationals Team President Stan Kasten. "Opening Day is just around the corner and we hope Nationals fans are just as excited as we are for what's sure to be an exciting 2010 in NatsTown." Baseball fun returns to Nationals Park on January 31 for the second annual NatsFest, which will conclude the Caravan festivities. Fans will have the opportunity to receive autographs and take photos with Nationals players, participate in question-and-answer sessions with Stan Kasten, Mike Rizzo, Jim Riggleman and The Washington Post columnist and Nationals Season Ticket Holder George Will, and hit in the Nationals batting cages for a $1 donation to the Nationals Dream Foundation. A behind-the-scenes look at the Nationals clubhouse will be available and fans may enter to win Nationals prizes and memorabilia. Nationals Season Ticket Holders may receive up to four complimentary tickets per account for the event and will receive an e-mail on how to claim their tickets. 2010 Season Ticket Packages are currently on sale and include tickets to the April 3 exhibition game vs. the Boston Red Sox at 50 percent off the listed season ticket price. Excellent season ticket locations are available throughout the ballpark. Fans who are interested in becoming Nationals season ticket holders and don't want to miss a minute of the excitement at Nationals Park, including great plays by Nationals players Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Nyjer Morgan, may secure their seats by calling (202) 675.NATS(6287) - Option #1 or by visiting nationals.com. 2010 WINTER CARAVAN & NATSFEST Wednesday, January 27 - Sunday, January 31 Participating Players, Manager and Front Office Staff* Pitcher Brian Bruney: January 29 - 31 Pitcher Matt Capps: January 29 - 31 Pitcher Tyler Clippard: January 29 - 31 First Baseman Adam Dunn: January 29 - 31 Shortstop Danny Espinosa: January 27 - 29 Pitcher John Lannan: January 29 - 31 Outfielder Nyjer Morgan: January 29 - 31 Manager Jim Riggleman: January 27 - 31 Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez: January 29 - 31 Pitcher Ryan Speier: January 27 - 29 Pitcher Craig Stammen: January 29 - 31 Pitcher Drew Storen: January 27 - 29 Outfielder Josh Willingham: January 29 - 31 Third Baseman Ryan Zimmerman: January 29 - 31 Moderators Nationals Television Broadcaster Rob Dibble: January 27 -31 NBC's "Meet the Press" Moderator David Gregory: January 30 Wednesday, January 27 11:00am - 12:00pm: Meet-and-Greet and Book Donation at Unity Health Care's Southwest Health Center, Washington, DC 1:00pm - 3:00pm: Autograph Session at Hard Times Cafe, Arlington, VA 5:00pm - 7:00pm: Autograph Session at Build-A-Bear Workshop, McLean, VA Thursday, January 28 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Ben's Chili Bowl, Washington, DC 2:00pm - 4:00pm: Care Package Assembly at USO of Metropolitan Washington Warehouse, Ft. Belvoir, VA *Media interested in attending this event must RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday, January 26 6:00pm - 8:00pm: Autograph Session at Potomac Nationals Pfitzer Stadium, Woodbridge, VA Friday, January 29 1:00pm - 4:00pm: Hot Stove Luncheon, Nationals Park, Washington, DC (*Ticketed Event) 5:00pm - 8:00pm: Autograph Session at Washington Capitals Game, Verizon Center, Washington, DC Saturday, January 30 11:00am: Atrium Visit with Patients at Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 1:30pm - 3:30pm: Press Conference and Skills Demonstration & Autograph Session at Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex, Landover, MD Sunday, January 31 11:00am - 4:00pm: NatsFest, Nationals Park, Washington, DC (*Ticketed Event) END OF CARAVAN *Player, Manager and Front Office Schedules Subject to Change