On Monday night we were very fortunate to watch the game from the best seats in RFK - the press box. We were able to watch as Bob and Don broadcast the game on TV and Dave and Charlie called the game for Washington Post Radio. We also were able to go down to the production truck to see all of the behind the scenes work. Debbi Taylor even joined us in the press box for much of the game!Before the game began we watched Bob and Don tape several segments for the pre-game show and the 7 o’clock segment before taking their last break of the evening around 6:45pm. Once the game was underway, each of us took an inning sitting between Bob and Don, listening in on a headset. The others watched the game on the MASN monitor and were pleasantly surprised when Debbi Taylor came up to the box for the game. She was so nice to us and made a point to get us some of media materials they use to prepare for the game. It is obvious that she also loves her job and works very hard to prepare for the pre and post game shows. The amount of information they have available each night is overwhelming.

It was such an honor to sit in between these wonderful men as they did their broadcast. Bob’s warm personality is infectious and Don is a natural. We can assure you — while the broadcast looks effortless, the preparation required for each game surprised us. The two of them make a great team and the experience was overwhelming. We have the deepest respect for both of these wonderful men. They helped encourage our transformation from casual fans to serious fans. While Bob and Don were on air, Debbi was keeping score of the game and making notes for the post-game show. They make a great team!

We were also each able to watch Dave and Charlie call the game for an inning. They clearly love what they do and they are absolutely hilarious. I walked in during the President’s Race and had trouble trying not to laugh as they referred to the race as a NASCAR pile up. Like the rest of us, they too are wondering when Teddy will get a win. They also spent several minutes joking about Dave’s Prius and how he gets mobbed leaving RFK. Turns out, he passed us a few days ago and said, “I’m not signing today girls.” On air, he joked that he’s like Springsteen leaving the parking lot now. During Kristen’s inning, Charlie’s enthusiastic scream for a strike-out made her jump. They really try to bring the game to life for the radio listeners and they do an excellent job of it. Dave and Charlie genuinely care about the game and it shows in their voices as they go through the ups and downs of the game with the Nationals. They fly through media guides and stat sheets as they seem to effortlessly rattle off information on the players. It takes a tremendous amount of work to talk constantly for the 3+ hours that they do each night, but they make it look like so much fun.

After our innings in the press box, we were allowed to go into the production truck to see where all the magic happens. The MASN truck was overwhelming. There were so many TVs with different angles of the games and they qued up replays before I even had time to cheer for the play! It gave a great presepective on how much work actually goes into a broadcast…and just think, they do this 160 times each year.

We all agreed that the most difficult part of the evening was keeping quiet. There were so many great plays on Monday night that we would normally have gone crazy for with screaming and cheering, but we had to keep it under wraps while we were in the press box. That didn’t stop us from pumping our fists and jumping up and down in our seats though.

We all took away a little something different from the experience.

Kristen:
The most amazing part of my night was standing between the 2 big cameras watching Felipe hit. You know I’ve been pulling for Felipe for sometime, wanting and hoping that he could pull through this slump and angered by how he was treated by some reporters and bloggers. But, there I was in that moment — convinced that I had the best seat in the entire park, right above homeplate. I can’t lie - I started to tear up thinking about the most amazing summer of my life. To think of all that I’ve learned this summer and all that I’ve experienced. I know I haven’t been the best friend, daughter or grandaughter for the past six months. I’ve spent almost 80 of my summer nights at RFK and almost 80 more in front of a tv set. I’ve found a summer family (you all know who you are) and I have learned so much. My love of this game has grown from interest to passion. What started as an escape from life inevitably became life itself. For all its twists and turns, ups and downs and so much more, this season and this experience has changed me. As I stood there watching Felipe, I glanced to my right. Lindsey was sitting with Bob and Don, Stephanie was laughing with Dave and Charlie. Here we were — holding our own, perhaps the conclusion of the transformation from casual fans to informed and knowledgeable members of this great Washington Nationals family. And I stood there with tears in my eyes knowing that there is a bright future here. Don’t let Buster Olney fool you. This entire organization - fans, players, broadcasters, employees, ushers, security guards - has given me so much this summer. Every dollar well spent. Every amazing moment, something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Lindsey:
It is no secret that I am from the Cleveland area and a lifelong Cleveland fan. I have dreamed of meeting players, watching batting practices and one day, maybe if I was really really lucky, sitting in on a broadcast. I have found love for the Washington Nationals in my heart, and all of my baseball dreams have come true this summer. Over and over again as I sat in the booth, I couldn’t help but think that I was getting an experience of a lifetime - something I know so many people want to do. Bob, Don, Debbi, Dave and Charlie were all so genuine with us and graciously allowed us into the press box to watch them work. All of the crew, especially those that worked on the TV broadcast made us feel so welcome and comfortable. The entire experience was amazing and something I wouldn’t trade for anything. I am so grateful to have an outstanding organization in Washington and I look forward to a great future. I am so grateful for the experience.

Stephanie:
I can’t even begin to describe the magic of this summer. We have experienced so much, from that horribly cold April when it took so long to reach 10 wins, the numerous baseball road trips, and fun interviews, I will always remember this summer as the summer of my life. Everything seemed to hit me all at once while I was sitting in the booth with Bob . I was keeping score, and watching Tim Redding struggle with his location. At one point I leaned to Don and asked him what the deal was. Don told me that Redding had everything over the middle of the plate. That was it, in that moment, I realized nothing could get better than this. I felt the pride well up in my heart, this team, my friends, the whole organization, all of it, makes me so incredibly lucky to be a Nats fan. Bob was so gracious with us, answered all of our questions, Debbi immediately made us feel at home. Dave and Charlie had my heart pumping with excitement as I watched that crazy 6th inning with them. I was amazed with the production truck, everything happening at once, and everyone somehow knew what was going on. It was incredible and definitely a night I will never forget. This whole team has stolen my heart, and I am totally ok with it!.

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