Nats to face Red Sox on Saturday in Naval Academy Baseball Classic

The Washington Nationals are excited to play the Boston Red Sox in the first-ever Naval Academy Baseball Classic on Saturday, April 1 at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

The game is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. ET at Max Bishop Stadium, home of the Naval Academy's baseball team. The game will be televised on MASN, the official broadcast partner of the Nationals, and NESN, the official broadcast partner of the Red Sox. Fans can also listen to the game on 106.7 The Fan and WEEI 93.7 FM.

Tickets for this special game are NOT available to the public. Complimentary tickets have been distributed to Naval Academy midshipmen, as well as select members of the U.S. Navy.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1
On the morning of the game, Nationals and Red Sox players, coaches and staff will take part in several activities at the Naval Academy.

The morning will begin with a breakfast reception, during which the Naval Academy will be presenting engraved swords to Nationals Manager Dusty Baker, Red Sox Manager John Farrell, the Nationals organization and the Red Sox organization. In return, the Nationals and Red Sox will present engraved bats to Vice Admiral Walter E. "Ted" Carter, Jr., 62nd Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, Colonel Stephen Liszewski, United States Marine Corps, 86th Commandant of Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy, and Mr. Chet Gladchuk, Director of Athletics for the Naval Academy Athletic Association.

After the presentation, players and staff will be given a tour of the Naval Academy. On the tour they will see air and ground military vehicles, indoor navigation training simulators and the largest single dormitory in the world, which houses the entire brigade of midshipmen. They will also visit the site of the honor roll of all Academy graduates who have died in military operations.

PREGAME CEREMONY
The Naval Academy Baseball Classic pregame ceremony will include:
* Ceremonial first pitch thrown by The Honorable Sean J. Stackley, Acting Secretary of the Navy
* Our nation's colors presented by the U.S. Naval Academy Color Guard
* National Anthem performed by the U.S. Naval Academy Men's and Women's Glee Club and Gospel Choir
* Flyover by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 "Sea Knights"
* Lineup card delivery by Vice Admiral Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr., 62nd superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Honorable Ray Mabus, former Secretary of the Navy
* Starting Lineup Tunnel featuring U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen
* Game ball delivery by Midshipmen Captain of Captains, Sarita Condie, Captain of the U.S. Naval Academy's Women's Basketball Team
* Play Ball! announcement by Colonel Stephen Liszewski, U.S. Marine Corps, 86th Commandant of Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy