Passing along a link to an interesting article at Culture11.com.  Author Michael Brendan Dougherty’s central point:

Like many newer stadiums, Nationals Ballpark is a place that caters to jerks, while pretending to cater to baseball fans….Like so many modern stadiums, the Nationals Ballpark experience doesn’t trust the show it is ostensibly putting on: a baseball game. It partakes in the sensibility the brain-zapped sensibility that’s come to dominate live sports. That’s perfect for the jerks who don’t care for the sport. For the rest of us, though, it’s disheartening. The operating philosophy is that no one could possibly enjoy our national past-time without slathering it in techno-pizazz. Gone are the little moments that make the game unique: the superstitious gestures, the punch of the ball into an outstretched glove, the strange diction of the umpire, the din of a crowd punctured by cotton-mouthed vendors.

Dougherty discusses both the merits and pitfalls of the new park.  What do you think?

Aside from starting and ending the season on the road, the 2009 schedule is much improved over this year’s.  Though the Nats lose a Memorial Day game, they gain 4th of July, which is way better.  They play the Mets at new Citi Field twice on weekends, allowing fans from the DC area to travel up without too much hassle.  Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pittsburgh also offer close weekend road trips.  If you haven’t been to Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, plan on it next summer.  It’s beautiful (and it’s home!!)

For inter-league play, the Nats are getting a dose of the AL East.  The Nats face the Yankees at their new stadium and the Red Sox here in DC.  Both are mid-week series.  The Nats will also travel to Tampa Bay and host the Toronto Blue Jays.

To access the tentative schedule, click here.

The Nationals are sponsoring a speed dating event at the ballpark.  Give them credit for creativity.

From the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals and LoveThatClicks.com will host Singles Night at Nationals Park on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20 when the team faces the San Diego Padres. Fans may purchase a $25 Scoreboard Pavilion seat (Sections 240 through 243) including one complimentary drink (soda, water or beer), normally a $34 value, each evening. Professionals in the City, the largest social and networking organization in the country, will administer Speed Dating at the Red Loft Bar and Miller Lite Scoreboard Walk beginning at 5:30pm. All interested fans attending Friday’s game may register at the Red Loft Bar at 5:00pm. Two speed dating participants will be selected each night to receive Lexus Presidents Club seats behind home plate, which include a gourmet buffet dinner.

If you decide you actually want to take in some baseball while at Nationals Park, the rest of us will be watching the defending National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy take on Colin Balester.

The Washington Nationals are hosting an Oktoberfest End of Season Party sponsored by Hard Times Cafe and Budweiser American Ale on Thursday, September 25 at 5 pm.  The Nats battle the Marlins in the final home game of the season at 7:10.

Tickets are $25 and include a Scoreboard pavilion seat and the pre-game rooftop party with music and complimentary food and drinks provided by Hard Times Cafe and Anheuser Busch.

You can purchase tickets at nationals.com/oktoberfest.

To read more about Oktoberfest, click here.

Well this sounds so familiar.  With a small lead in the NL East coming into Washington, the Mets have now fallen to second place behind the Phillies with two more games to play at Nationals Park.

And it couldn’t be a better week for watching September baseball in Washington.  The Nats are playing hard, refusing to rollover and embracing their role in helping to decide who represents the NL East this fall.  Mets fans have flocked to the park, arriving stressed and leaving defeated.  It’s September and the Mets have scored just two runs in their last 23 innings.

Last night, Odalis Perez came out strong.  He baffled the Mets, surrendering only four hits in his 7+ innings.  He struck out six, walked none and scored the Nats only run of the game.  Pelfrey was also pretty spectacular.  He allowed four walks and seven hits, but only one run.  It came after  Tatis attempted a diving catch in the 5th.  He left the game and ended his season with a separated shoulder.  Moments later, Willie Harris would walk and Cristian Guzman would double to send Perez home.  It was all the Nats needed to win the game.

When Perez left to an ovation and praise, runners were at first and second with only one out.  Mike Hinckley entered the game to take on a difficult task:  collect two more outs while facing the top of the order with two men on.  Hinckley somehow…some way got Reyes to ground into a force out.  It put the tying run on third with 2 outs for Ryan Church.  The former Nat struck out to end the inning.  Hinckley hasn’t given up a run in 10 appearances with the Nats this season.

Manny Acta then turned the game over to his closer.  Knowing Joel doesn’t match up well against Wright, the lead off hitter and Mets superstar, we assured the friendly Mets fans around us to relax.  But on this crazy night, even David Wright couldn’t handle Hanrahan’s fastball.  The 11 pitch at bat ended with a swinging strike out.  Beltran lined out and Delgado struck out to give Joel his 9th save and secure our odd 1-0 win over the struggling Mets.

Tonight, Shairon Martis (0-2, 2.70) takes on Brandon Knight (0-0, 6.43).  Martis is coming off a strong start against the Marlins where he struck out nine in 5 plus innings and gave up only 1 earned run.

Other stuff:

Boswell talks to Ted Lerner
FJB dissects Boswell’s chat with Lerner
MASN announces more HD games in 09
Syracuse may be the Nats AAA affiliate next year
Jason Bergmann’s at ESPN Zone at 12
Zuckerman Chats at 1 pm
Chico chats at 2

The Nationals are making the Mets work for their victories again this September.  Last night, thanks to stellar pitching from John Lannan and big hits from the middle of the line up, the Nats beat the Mets 7-2.  With the Mets now only a half game up from the Phillies, the play off race in the NL East could be interesting again this year.

John Lannan was superb last night, trying something new and using his change-up more against the lefties. It worked and Lannan held the Mets to just one hit and one run through seven innings of work. Lannan was helped in the field with great catches from Willie Harris and Lastings Milledge.

The offense sparked also.  With the game tied in the fourth, Milledge scored on a single by Aaron Boone.  Two innings later the Nats added two more on an RBI single from Hernandez.  The Nationals really sealed the deal in the seventh, when both Milledge and Zimmerman reached base with two outs and advanced on a wild pitch.  Then with a 3-2 count, Elijah Dukes smashed a home run over the left field wall to put the Nationals up 7-1. I didn’t see any antics this time as Dukes rounded the bases, so maybe that’s a sign of improvement.  Although, Dukes’ issues in NYC came with Mike Pelfrey pitching for the Mets, those two will meet again tonight in DC…I bet we see fireworks of some kind.

The Mets tried to mount a comeback in the eighth.  Reliever Garrett Mock started the inning and struggled getting the first out.  The Mets scored another run when Reyes singled in Castillo.  Hinckley replaced Mock to face lefty Church, who singled to load the bases.  With David Wright up and the bases loaded, and after the bullpen meltdown the day before, I thought the Mets had a chance to at least make the game close.  I was wrong as Hinckley masterfully got Wright to ground into a double play ending the inning and the threat of a come back.

Still even though the Mets are just a half game up in the NL East, Manny Acta insists the Nationals aren’t trying to spoil the race.

“We are not spoilers,” Acta said. “We are the Washington Nationals. We were trying to snap a five-game losing streak that we had.”

Well with a record of 57-93 and an almost sure chance of losing a hundred games, the teams gotta play for something.  What’s it gonna be Manny, spoilers or Strasburg?

From the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals today announced they will distribute more than 130,000 promotional items, as part of Fan Appreciation Week, during their final 10 games at Nationals Park in 2008.  The team will begin their last homestand on Monday, September 15 with a four-game series against the New York Mets. The San Diego Padres will visit Friday, September 19 through Sunday, September 21 and the team will face the Florida Marlins Tuesday, September 23 through Thursday, September 25 to close out their 2008 home schedule.

Beginning with Monday’s game against the New York Mets, Nationals fans attending the games may enjoy various promotions and giveaways celebrating the end of the inaugural season at Nationals Park. The team will distribute T-shirts, Green Hats with a White Curly “W” (fans 21 and older, courtesy of Miller Lite), Camouflage Floppy Hats, Team Photos with 2009 Early Bird Schedule, Kids Backpacks (fans 12 and under, courtesy of Smithfield) and Curly “W” Fleece Scarves courtesy of Tickets.com. The ballclub will also host a Halfway to St. Patty’s Day promotion on Wednesday, September 17, complete with Celtic dancers and the Irish band 4Ever Erin. The District of Columbia Fire Department Emerald Society Pipe and Drums will also perform. Fans are encouraged to wear green for the chance to win prizes. Following the weekend games fans may stay and enjoy Friday Night Fireworks, Saturday Night at the Movies and Kids Run the Bases (Sunday). A complete list of promotions and giveaways may be found below.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet Nationals players and Manager Manny Acta throughout the homestand. Prior to the games on Monday, September 15, Wednesday, September 17, Friday, September 19 and Sunday, September 21, Manager Manny Acta will host a meet and greet at the Nationals Park Team Store, located in the Center Field Plaza, at 5:45pm. Manny will meet with fans and sign autographs to raise awareness for his impACTA Kids Foundation*, for approximately 20 minutes prior to these games. Nationals players will greet fans as they enter the ballpark before the contests on Friday, September 19, Tuesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 25 from approximately 6:00pm – 6:20pm.**

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation will continue to sell raffle tickets for the “Jerseys Off Their Backs” fundraiser during the first seven games of the homestand. Fans may purchase $5 raffle tickets at the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Kiosk, located in the Center Field Plaza, from gates open until the end of the 6th inning, for the chance to win a game-worn, autographed Nationals jersey. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. Following Sunday afternoon’s game, the winners of the “Jersey Off Their Backs” raffle will be brought to the field to meet the player whose jersey they have won and to claim their prize.

The Nationals will host Fan Appreciation Night when they face the Florida Marlins on Thursday, September 25 at 7:10pm for their final home game of the 2008 season. The team will show highlight and thank-you videos on the Nationals Park scoreboard before, during and after the evening’s game. Throughout the game the team will give away prizes including two (2) roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the Continental U.S. from American Airlines, two (2) roundtrip vouchers from Amtrak, ice cream for one year from Gifford’s Ice Cream & Candy Co., a three-night two-day stay at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, $2,000 worth of gift cards from Gift Card Mall valid for use on merchandise and tickets, and one Nationals Park Party Suite for a game during the 2009 season.  Additional prizes will be distributed from DC Lottery, Edy’s Ice Cream, ExxonMobil, Mattress Discounters, Modell’s, Papa John’s and PNC Bank. Following the final out, members of the Nat Pack will throw promotional items into the crowd and a fireworks display will end the evening’s festivities.

Monday, September 15
Manny Acta Team Store Appearance

Tuesday, September 16
T-shirt Tuesday

Wednesday, September 17
Manny Acta Team Store Appearance
Halfway to St. Patty’s Day Party
Green Hat with White Curly “W”

Friday, September 19
Manny Acta Team Store Appearance
Players at the Gates
Camouflage Hat
Friday Night Fireworks

Saturday, September 20
Team Photo w/ Early Bird Schedule
Saturday Night at the Movies
Season Ticket Holder Picnic

Sunday, September 21
Manny Acta Team Store Appearance
Kids Backpack
Jerseys Off Their Backs Giveaway

Tuesday, September 23
Players at the Gates
T-shirt Tuesday

Wednesday, September 24
Curly “W” Fleece Scarf

Thursday, September 25
Fan Appreciation Day
Players at the Gates
Post-game Fireworks

As the Mets continue looking for a playoff spot and return to Washington for the season’s final series with the Nationals, we turned to Eric at Amazin’ Avenue for a series preview.

Without dwelling too much on last year’s collapse, what’s different about the 08 Mets that can help them finish strong this September?

Nothing, really. There was nothing particularly un-magical about the collapse; a convergence of horrible pitching and bad luck did them in, mostly. It wasn’t a lack of heart or guts or character or any of that. They played poorly and had very few things go their way. If they surrender the lead this time around (they’re dang close to doing just that), it’ll again be poor play that does them in.

How big of a loss has Billy Wagner been this season? How do you think the bullpen will fare in his absence for the remaining weeks of the season and for potential playoff baseball?

It’s huge. He was their best reliever by a good ways, and his absence hurts the bullpen immensely. Luis Ayala pitched well until Sunday, and he’s a nice pitcher, but he’s nothing spectacular (sorry!). I think the rest of the Mets’ bullpen is decent, but they lack a real ace reliever that the other NL playoff contenders – Cubs, Phillies, etc. – have a guy you can mostly count on out there. The Mets don’t, and that might be a problem.

What are your thoughts on the short-term Closer solution (Ayala) and any long-term solutions?

I have mostly bad thoughts about the short-term situation. Again, Ayala has been fine, mostly, but he’s not Billy Wagner. Long-term, Francisco Rodriguez is out there. So is Kerry Wood and some other guys. The Mets will have a number of holes to fill in 2009 and I don’t think spending huge money on a closer is at the top of their list, but they’re going to have to do something.

Has Johan Santana been all that you dreamed of? Has anything surprised you about his performance this season?

He’s been pretty great. If the Mets’ offense and bullpen had given him a little more support over the course of the season we would all be talking about how Santana is one of the two-or-three top Cy Young candidates. That said, he has rarely disappointed and, even on his off-days, he almost always manages to keep the Mets in the game. His strikeouts have declined a bit since last season, which is a little surprising considering he moved to the league where pitchers hit. Otherwise, I don’t have any right to complain.

What do you make of any correlation with the team’s performance under Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel?  Will Manuel be back with the Mets next season or do you anticipate that the organization will bring in a fresh face?

I think it’s happenstance, mostly. Maybe Manuel’s demeanor is a better fit for that clubhouse, but I find that managers tend to get far too much credit when a team succeeds and far too much blame when a team fails. If the Mets make the playoffs I think Manuel will be back; if they fall short again after holding a 3.5 game lead, well, it might be a tougher sell.

After trading away some youth last off season, how has the farm system developed this year and what did you think of the 08 draft?

The Mets’ farm system is still among the worst in the big leagues, but they had a few early draft picks this season and drafted some high-upside guys. They spent a lot of picks over the past couple of drafts on college players, and a couple of them have already made their debuts with the team. They continue to be strong in Latin America, and their big wallets will always make them players on the international market.

Since the Nats and Mets are one big family, can you offer your quick thoughts on:

Lastings Milledge – Always been a fan and I think the Mets sold low on him. He still has plenty of time to get better, but 2008 wasn’t a great start.

Anderson Hernandez – Hit in the minors, never in the majors. His .347 average is an aberration, and I can’t imagine he’ll ever be more than a backup middle-infielder.

Jesus Flores – This one still burns. For a catcher, his power has been very good, though his batting eye hasn’t progressed as I would have hoped. Still young and there’s plenty of potential in his bat.

Manny Acta – Would look damned good in a Mets uniform (again). I feel bad for him because he really hasn’t been given much to work with in Washington. Jim Bowden isn’t doing him any favors.

Luis Ayala – As I said before, had been good until Sunday. Is probably miscast as a closer, but should be a fine contributor to the bullpen.

Brian Schneider – Not much of a hitter, and his defense has been worse than advertised. Throws fine, but oddly has some trouble catching the ball on throws home as well as pitches. Not excited about another year of his services behind the plate.

Ryan Church – Concussions derailed his season, but he has been very good offensively and defensively when healthy. Definitely excited to have him around for the next couple of years.

What are you looking for in this 4-game series? What do you need to get out of it?

Anything less than three wins will be a big disappointment, considering how important every game is right now. I don’t derive any pleasure from saying this, but the Nationals are a lousy team, and if you can’t take three-of-four from them in the waning days of the season you probably don’t deserve to make the playoffs.

You can check out our take on the Nationals later today at Amazin’ Avenue.

On Friday night, the Potomac Nationals won the Carolina League Championship.

From the Nationals:

The Potomac Nationals captured the Single-A Carolina League Championship tonight with an 8-2 triumph over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (ATL) in game four of the best-of-five series for the Mills Cup. The Carolina League crown is the first title for a full-season Nationals’ affiliate since baseball returned to the nation’s capitol in 2005. Potomac becomes the second Washington affiliate this season to win its league’s championship. Last week, the DSL Nationals 1 captured the DSL title for the second consecutive season. Including the rookie-level GCL Nationals, each of Washington’s three minor league affiliates to participate in postseason play advanced to their respective league’s championship series.

RHP Erik Arnesen (1-0, 5-3 overall) held the CL’s top offense to two runs and six hits in 6.2 innings to earn the win. The P-Nats scored in each of the first four innings, plating seven runs before adding an additional run in the sixth inning. Potomac collected 10 hits, with SS Dan Lyons (2-for-4 with a double), 1B Andrew Lefave (2-for-4 with an RBI double), OF Dee Brown (2-for-3 with a 2-run homer and 3 RBI) and 3B Stephen King (2-for-3 with a double and an RBI) each recording multi-hit efforts. LHP Jack Spradlin (0.1 inning), RHP Kyle Gunderson (1.0 inning) and RHP Josh Wilkie (1.0 inning) combined to toss 2.1 scoreless innings to close out the victory.

The next interview in our Women in Baseball series features Chartese Burnett, Vice President of Communications, Washington Nationals.

It was early in the season when we sat down with Chartese Burnett, a moment and an interview each of us had eagerly looked forward to. Because Chartese is actively involved in the Washington Nationals community, we had all looked up to her for some time and appreciated the opportunity to learn more about her path, accomplishments and experiences. Chartese was candid and shared so much with us. Because she was generous with her time and so open and honest with her answers, it took us some time to write a piece that could reflect and capture her story in a compelling way. Alas, here is her story, with our apology for an extended delay.

Chartese grew up in Washington, the daughter of a man immersed in DC sports. Though she herself had no passion for any particular sport, her path would bring her into contact with several, both at the collegiate and professional level.  But before that, as a young child and eventually as a college student at Georgetown University, her plans were worlds away from professional sports.   She was eight when she first traveled to Europe and fell in love with foreign languages and cultures.  She studied French and Spanish and planned to be an interpreter/translator, but a college course in Communications really captured her interest. “I really liked it; I thought this is what I want to do.” It was actually during a stint as a Customer Support Representative with Xerox Corporation after college when she developed a love for dealing with the public.

She began working for Georgetown in Sports Information and left four years later as the Director of the department.  From there, she went on to work for the Commissioner of the NBA as Assistant Director of Media Relations.  In her two years there, she developed a great working relationship with Commissioner David Stern.  As a mentor, he helped prepare her for new opportunities in the sports world.

In 1993, she left the NBA.  Her husband’s job forced their family to move to Arizona and Burnett was anxious to spend time at home with their newborn.   Were it not for the move, “I think I would have tried to pursue being a working mother as I am now, but [looking back] it was a really worth while decision because I got to stay at home with my child.”  After three years, the family moved back to Washington and Chartese took a position with the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Union.  There she worked with “licensing and sponsors that utilize NFL players in their products, like NFL trading cards, computer games, and things like that.”

Five years later she took a break from sports and went to work for NASA Headquarters as Director of Public Outreach, coordinating special events, arranging public appearances and working with astronauts.  After a year with NASA, the Washington Nationals were moving to town and Burnett was recruited.

I was thinking baseball? I know nothing about baseball.  I promise you I had never really watched a baseball game.  My Dad had been a huge baseball fan, but I had never watched a baseball game even in the professional sports arena, I had never gone to a baseball game, so I was like and how many games do they have a year?

She interviewed for the position and decided that it was an amazing opportunity. RFK was just five minutes from her childhood home, giving her the chance to frequently visit her mother, who was very sick at the time and who has since passed away. “It was just working out too well.  I was able to go home and take care of my mom and have lunch with her.  I could get in the car and be there in five minutes.”

Though Chartese has always been an accomplished professional and a strong woman in her own right, her family has always been her top priority  Just as her mom’s health helped lead her to the Nationals, her two young daughters continue to help Chartese maintain an important balance with work and family, one that many working moms struggle to achieve.

For me it’s very important to get home to see my family. Even if there’s something that needs to get done past the workday hours, I go home and spend some time with my family and I put my kids to bed. If it can wait till tomorrow, it waits till tomorrow. If it can’t, then I go back to work in my home office and that’s okay. But I try to maintain as much of a balance as possible. The balance should be spending more time then 50/50, but I don’t. Unfortunately, I don’t. But I don’t beat myself up for it. But you know, I try to do it as best I can spending as much quality time with my kids as I can.

Achieving that balance is certainly not the first or only challenge Chartese has overcome.  In 1999, she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. After six months of chemotherapy and eight weeks of radiation, Burnett was declared cancer free.  She battled through it - overcoming the odds with a determination to do everything she could to raise money and awareness to help others overcome it as well.  This year she was chosen as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year.  She raised over $80,000 over a ten week period.  You can donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by clicking here.

Beating the disease strengthened her already strong resolve and today nothing can bring her down, not even the obvious challenges she faces in a male dominated profession, like baseball.  It may come as a surprise, but Burnett admits that for various reasons, baseball is far more male dominated than the other professional sports she has worked in.

People sometimes think you don’t know as much, or you’re not qualified, because I should know more about Ryan Zimmerman’s batting average.  Well that’s not germane to what I do.  I’m very qualified.  I’ve been around for a long time.

After proving that you’re as qualified as your male counterparts, women still face a very real glass ceiling in terms of executive positions available to them in the industry.  A friend of Burnett’s had just been skipped over for a promotion in the industry, despite having served a step under the executive for over a decade.

The challenge just makes women like Burnett work harder.  Every morning, Chartese starts the day by reading press clips assembled by her staff.  Her role is primarily administrative, overseeing all off the field public relations for the organization.  “I love talking to people, engaging people.  It really is my favorite part of the job.  I love working with my staff.  I like working with people and making an impact.”  She hates to write these days, citing a lack of creative energy, but loves to edit and tries to oversee, not micromanage her Communications department.  She can’t say enough about the strength of her staff. “The higher up you go the less hands on you have to be, I mean you can be as hands on as you’d like to be, but I have a phenomenal staff, they are very talented and experienced.”

As a mentor to her staffers, a responsibility she cherishes, she emphasizes professionalism.

As a mom of two girls, if you work for me, I’m going to treat you like my daughter. And it’s such a male dominated industry. You work in a male dominated arena. The first thing you want people to see is who you are inside — how knowledgeable you are, how professional and capable you are.  You’re already behind a little bit.  It’s unfortunate but you are.  Don’t put yourself further behind.

Of course, Burnett is the perfect mentor to inspire respect and trust from her staff.  Her story says as much.  These challenges are nothing compared to what she’s already overcome in life.  She’s a remarkable woman and only through the accomplishments of people like Burnett will the industry adjust to having bright, capable women making decisions.  “I believe that things can change; they will change. It’s up to us to make that happen. When you’re a woman in this business, you shouldn’t let that stop you.”

A surprise visit during our interview by Stan Kasten confirmed as much.  “We’re talking about women in baseball,” said Burnett.  Kasten’s replied with a smile: “We need more of them.”  In addition to being supportive of women in the industry, Kasten has also served as a mentor to Burnett.  “Working for him has been an amazing opportunity…He’s bright.  He’s talented.  He’s funny.  He’s engaging.  He’s sincere.  He’s a good person.”

Though she had never watched a baseball game before working for the Nationals, she quickly understood how and why baseball touches so many lives.

I think it is the most, well, the purest sport. The pace is slower, maybe it’s because of the audience.  There’s the experience of a family.  Then I see people in the Presidents Club.  There are corporate clients, typically companies entertaining.  But I also see families. I see kids. I see moms and I think it’s just about everybody. The game, the players.  When you think about these guys playing almost every day for 6 months. Baseball players are just so real. Maybe because we’re around each other all the time.

It may be special, even for someone who didn’t fall in love with the game the same way a fan or a young child did.  “There is nothing glamorous about this, but it’s fun, it’s entertaining, it really is, I think I have the best job in the world.”