Washington Nationals homestand highlights vs. Philadelphia Phillies (April 16-19) & St. Louis Cardinals (April 21-23)

THURSDAY, April 16

• Black Heritage Day benefitting the Greater Washington Urban League: The Washington Nationals will help support the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) during the annual Black Heritage Day. Scholars from the Jackie Robinson Foundation will be recognized on the field during pregame ceremonies and fans will enjoy special contests and videos throughout the game including an interview about the Negro Leagues with Emmy Award-winning sportscaster James Brown. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket purchased online at nationals.com/GWUL will be donated to the Greater Washington Urban League. 

• Span's Fans: Nationals center fielder Denard Span will host his once-a-month "Span's Fans" event before the team takes on the Phillies. Span's Fans is a season-long program that treats children from single-parent families to a day of Nationals baseball. The group will enjoy special batting practice viewing and tickets to the game, as well as Nats Bucks credit.

Friday, April 17

• Patriotic Series presented by SAIC - Military Appreciation Day: As a thank you for their service and sacrifice, the Nationals will offer two complimentary tickets to members of the military (active duty, dependent, reservist or retiree) for every military ID presented at the Grand Staircase Box Office on Potomac Avenue beginning at 4:00 p.m. Max of two tickets per ID. Seating will be subject to availability on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last.

• Ian's Academy All-Stars: Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond will once again invite a group of scholar-athletes from the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy - where Ian sits on the Board of Directors - to Nationals Park for an opportunity to enjoy a Nationals game. As part of this season-long program, the group will enjoy a private meet and greet with Ian, special batting practice viewing, and receive tickets to the game, as well as NatsBucks credit. For more information on the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, visit nationalsacademy.org.

• Defending the Baseline: Nationals reliever Craig Stammen will host military families from Defending the Baseline prior to the game against the Phillies. Stammen first got involved with the organization after traveling on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's 2012 Holiday USO Tour. He will host the group once a month, inviting them to view batting practice from the field, giving them tickets to the game, as well as NatsBucks credit.

Saturday, April 18

• Pups in the Park #1: Back by popular demand, Nationals fans and their canine friends can enjoy the first of six games that make up the 2015 Pups in the Park series. All proceeds from dog tickets will benefit the Washington Humane Society. Fans and their pups will enjoy a special pregame Pup Parade on the field and a designated Pup Zone in the Family Picnic Area featuring pet sitters and representatives from the Washington Humane Society, NOVA Dog Magazine and Fetch! Pet Care. Captain Jason Haag, USMC (ret.) and his service dog Axel of K9s for Warriors will act as the Parade Grand Marshall. After three overseas tours, Haag returned home suffering from severe PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. K9's for Warriors, an organization that rescues dogs and trains them to provide relief for veterans suffering from PTSD, placed Haag with Axel, a German shepherd who was a week away from being put down in a shelter.

Sunday, April 19

• Washington, D.C. Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Thirteen new members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame will be honored in a pregame ceremony, including: James "Cool Papa" Bell, former outfielder for the Homestead Grays; Thomas Boswell, Washington Post sports columnist and author; Len Ford, four-time All-Pro defensive end; Ted Leonsis, Owner & CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment; Bryan Murray, former coach of the Washington Capitals; Richie Petitbon, former safety, defensive coordinator, and coach of the Washington Redskins; David Robinson, former Naval Academy All-American, Olympic Gold Medalist, and NBA Hall of Famer; Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics; John Thompson Jr., former men's basketball coach at Georgetown University; Guy Harris "Doc" White, former Major League pitcher; Maury Wills, former National League Most Valuable Player; and Warner Wolf, legendary sportscaster. The inductees were selected based on their outstanding contributions to the world of sports, thereby bringing honor and recognition to the Nation's Capital while furthering the high standards of athletics in the Washington community.

• Kids Opening Day presented by Jr. Nationals Kids Club: The Nationals invite the team's youngest fans to help kick off the 2015 season by celebrating Kids Opening Day. A variety of kid-friendly activities will be available before the start of the game, including a face painter and balloon artists in the Family Picnic Area.

• Screech's Birthday: Celebrate Screech's birthday with mascots from across the D.C. area. Screech and his friends will participate in a birthday ceremony, an air character dance, tug 'o' war match and compete alongside the Racing Presidents.

• Scout Day #1: The Nationals look forward to welcoming back all Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Club Scouts to the ballpark. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 202.675.NATS(6287) or visit nationals.com/groups.  

• USO- Metro "Me and a Friend" Program Presented by SAIC: In partnership with USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore and SAIC, this program recognizes the challenges that military children face as they regularly relocate due to their parents' military assignments. The Nationals provide tickets to children of active duty service members for every Sunday game of the season, giving them the opportunity to use the free tickets to connect with peers and help make new friends. This year, SAIC will host a pregame kid-friendly picnic party for USO-Metro children and their friends. The party will include lunch, T-shirt giveaways, poster decorating, kids' tattoos and a mascot visit. The group is also first in line for Kids Run the Bases after the game. Interested families should visit USOmetro.org/tickets for more information.

Tuesday, April 21

• 10-Year Tuesdays: The first 10,000 fans to enter the ballpark through ALL GATES will receive a 10-Year Tuesday Stationery Set. In honor of the 10-Year Anniversary, the Nationals' celebration will include monthly 10-Year Tuesdays, six designated games that will feature a collectible keepsake.

• Jayson and Pals: Jayson Werth will host families from Shelter House, offering a brief reprieve from their difficult circumstances. Shelter House provides crisis intervention, safe housing and supportive services to promote self-sufficiency for homeless families and victims of domestic violence. Every month, Jayson will invite families to view on-field batting practice, participate in a private meet and greet, and provide them with tickets to the game as well as NatsBucks credit.  

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

• Earth Day: The Nationals will team up with the National Park Service (NPS), Metro and Coca-Cola to celebrate Earth Day at Nationals Park. NPS officials will take part in the pregame ceremonies, with Director Jonathan Jarvis throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch. Coca-Cola's Green Team will be on-site collecting recyclables throughout the game. The first 13,000 fans to enter the ballpark through ALL GATES will receive a 22 ounce refillable giveaway cup, presented by Metro and Coca-Cola. Fans who use the cup during the game will receive $2 off the purchase price of their drink at Nats Dog stands. Eleven organizations will also be present to host a "sustainability village" and offer fans valuable information on creating a sustainable and ecofriendly lifestyle.

@NATIONALS SOCIAL

• The Washington Nationals social media team will be on the ground capturing highlights throughout this homestand. Fans can join the conversation by using #InstaNats, or following the Nationals on Twitter (@Nationals), Instagram (Instagram.com/Nationals) and Facebook (Facebook.com/Nationals) for live, behind-the-scenes updates.

PARKING, SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION

Visit nationals.com/waytogo for information on parking and additional routes to Nationals Park. To receive up-to-date WMATA service notifications on a mobile device, fans are encouraged to register for Alert DC at https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/. 

Fans are encouraged to allow plenty of extra time when getting to their seat due to the MLB-mandated use of metal detectors. All guests must pass through a form of metal detection to enter the ballpark. Guests who don't wish to walk through a metal detector will have the option of being screened with a handheld metal detector.

Fans traveling to the ballpark should be aware that there are numerous new construction projects underway in the surrounding area. There are no road closures, however, two pedestrian sidewalks are closed - the north side of the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and I Street SE and the corner of First Street SE and N Street SE. To ensure safe crossings, please be mindful of signage and directions given by public safety officers. 

For game tickets and more information, call 202.675.NATS(6287) or visit nationals.com/tickets.