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Nationals make a pitch for support

January 28, 2007 12:50 am

By TODD JACOBSON

Marty and Tricia Moore were dressed for the stadium, with red Washington Nationals jackets over their Nationals shirts.

Their children, Christle and Cameron, were dressed in baseball gear from head to toe as well. From jackets and sweatshirts to red caps, the Falmouth family had it all.

And as the Nationals' winter caravan wound to a finish yesterday at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library headquarters--a morning filled with books and baseball--the Moores nudged their way through a large crowd of fans.

The Moores, season-ticket holders, had one goal: to meet the players they watch from the stands on lazy summer afternoons.

"I've loved baseball since I was his age," Marty Moore said, pointing to his 3-year-old son. "As we get older and can't play anymore, this is our outlet."

For one morning, they got what they came for.

New Nationals manager Manny Acta, television broadcaster Don Sutton and radio announcer Charlie Slowes, as well as third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, outfielder Nook Logan and pitcher Mike O'Connor, visited the library as part of the team's eight-day, 12-city tour of the area.

They read books, answered questions from the audience and stayed to sign autographs and shake hands with area fans.

"It's really cool to be able to meet the players you see on the field," 15-year-old Jake Sullivan said. "It shows the organization cares about getting in touch with fans, and it's cool to see some of your favorite players like Ryan Zimmerman and Nook Logan and the manager and get in touch with them."

Sutton read from "Players in Pigtails," then purchased the book from the library for his 10-year-old daughter. Zimmerman, a third baseman, chose "Playing Right Field."

"It's fun to see all these kids running around," Zimmerman said while autographing hats, photos and baseball cards. "It's nice to know that people around the state like the Nationals now.

"I think we're kind of competing with the Orioles now. I feel like a lot of people are starting to like the Nationals a lot now, so it's a good feeling."

Indeed, there wasn't an Orioles cap in sight--just a man wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers hat that Sutton, who played for the Dodgers for much of his Hall of Fame career, confiscated.

"I haven't seen too many Orioles hats the whole time," Acta said.

Acta, Sutton and the players also engaged the audience in an hourlong question-and-answer session, with topics ranging from favorite players growing up (Zimmerman liked Cal Ripken) to laundry (no, they don't do their own) and the potential of this year's team.

The Nationals have finished last in the National League East twice since moving from Montreal to Washington before the 2005 season, and team officials have pledged to rebuild the team's minor-league system before sinking money into high-priced free agents.

The result is a team with few starting pitchers and low expectations, but Acta wasn't ready to give up on the year just yet.

"We do have a plan and we're going to stick to it, but every single day we're going to do whatever it takes to win," Acta said. "I hate losing."

To reach TODD JACOBSON: 540/374-5440
Email: tjacobson@freelancestar.com