Why see the Potomac Nationals?

   Woodbridge, Virginia is many things; mainly home to many many Washington, DC government workers, retired heroes of our nations military, MY home town, and home of the largest tourist attraction in the state of Virginia. What is that attraction you ask? No it's not a historic battlefield, or a home of a major historic figure. It's a Mall....Potomac Mills to be exact, but Woodbridge has much more to offer than over priced jeans and Cinnabons. (Even though lets be honest everyone it's hard to beat a doughy Cinnabon). If you take a drive on Prince William Parkway, down by the government center, and go right past the building where Prince William County residents pay their water bill you will stumble upon a beautiful stadium called Pfitzner. Pfitzner Stadium is the loving home to the Potomac Nationals. Since their inaugural season in 1979 they have belonged to several different teams and have given the MLB some great players in the process such as; Jorge Posada, Brad Ausmus, Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Andy Pettitte, Coco Crisp, and a guy you may have heard of Albert Pujols. Like a lot of this nation I grew up playing baseball. The sport is such a fundamental learning experience for a young person. It's difficult not to be romantic about sports, especially baseball. There's something about minor league that just connects with youth and families. It hasnt been completely bastardized by the corporate advertisers and media's scrutiny of every pitch.
   Growing up with Pfitzner stadium just a few minutes away it was always a quick get away for my dad and I, or as I grew older a great way to score a kiss from a girl under fireworks. I'm not the only one out there with these longing feelings for the old place. From the moment you park in the gravelly makeshift lot, its as if you had stepped back in time. A time when things that don't matter today mattered and the worries of today seem centuries away. Kids are getting their faces painted patriotic colors, the smell of hot dogs and burgers wrapped up in tin foil is in the air, every fan is supporting players they've never heard of. It's impossible not to instantly fall in love with the spectacle.
   The best part is about to begin, the game is in the bottom of the 3rd and fans have just all finally settled in, fathers are sipping their 2nd cold beer, mothers are gossiping and chatting with eachother, kids munching on peanuts and hot dogs hoping the t-shirt cannon targets them at some point until that great moment happens. Seeing Minor League Baseball has its advantages, no matter your seats you're always close enough to see everything happening and all of a sudden you hear a crack, a beautiful unbelievable crack and that little white ball becomes smaller and smaller as it flies over the center-left fence. Everyone forgets about the extras at that moment and starts to revel in one of Americas oldest and most beloved traditions baseball.
   The P-Nats are currently in third place in their division, the season is young. For tickets and information please visit: http://www.milb.com/tickets/tickets.jsp?sid=t436 . Go see them before the seasons over, it is an experience not to miss.