This Weekend in NatsTown

Who's ready for a busy homestand and some curly w's? Saturday: In the morning, the Nationals First Ladies will be joined by Pat Listach and Rick Eckstein to Race for the Cure on the National Mall. Rachel Dunn, Ginger Willingham, Trey Harris and Cari Listach are among those expected to participate. Listach is a breast cancer survivor. You can read more about Pat and Cari's journey here on Nats Buzz. MASN's Ben Goessling and I will also be participating. The team will also host MLB Pitch, Hit, and Run at Nationals Park. This event is an MLB-sponsored free skills competition that provides children ages 7 through 14 with the opportunity to showcase their baseball skills. Team Championship events are hosted at all 30 Major League Ballparks and the National Finals will be held at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game. Sunday: Peanut free baseball is back! A tradition since the 2007 season, the Nationals offer $25 seats in the Nationals Park Party Suites for those with food allergies. Fans will be permitted to bring in food based on their own dietary needs. Also on Sunday, the team will host a baseball equipment drive collecting new and gently-used baseball and softball equipment such as gloves, balls, bats and helmets. Fans can drop off equipment outside the Center Field Gates through the end of the fourth inning. It's also youth softball and baseball day. Kids from around the region are invited to show their team pride by wearing team jerseys for a pregame parade around the field. The first 10,000 fans age 12 and under arriving to the game will receive a Nationals batting helmet and kids are welcome to run the bases once the game is over. Coming soon: Don't forget about these upcoming events: A Night Among the Stars -- a live auction to benefit the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society on Monday, June 7th. Auction prizes include a golf foursome with Tyler Clippard, lunch with Craig Stammen and John Lannan, a professional photograph with Ryan Zimmerman or a date with Drew Storen. Tickets are $52 in advance and $60 at the door and can be purchased at standuptakenotice.com. Ladies Night is Thursday, June 10th vs. the Pirates. Tickets are $30 for a pre-game happy hour and an outfield seat. Nats U, formerly Baseball 101, is quickly approaching on June 19th. Nationals coaches will host a skills clinic for women at Nationals Park and each participant will also receive lunch, a t-shirt, and tickets to the game that evening. It's also Ryan Zimmerman bobblehead day.