Teams 
The Nationals are proud to sponsor a team of veterans and active duty service members, each of whom have lost limbs while serving our country. Using the latest in prosthetic technology, the team travels around the country, in Nationals uniforms, facing only able-bodied opponents and competing at the highest levels. These extraordinary athletes embody the resilience of our military while illustrating the strength and tenacity to overcome any challenge.
In association with the Department of Defense and the USO, Community Relations designed, created and implemented the inaugural Me and a Friend program in 2010 to recognize the extraordinary challenges that military children face as they continually relocate due to their parents’ military assignments. The Nationals provide 100 free tickets to children of active duty service members for every Sunday home game, giving them the opportunity to use the tickets to connect with peers and help make new friends. Each visit includes a special appearance by Screech and the “Me and a Friend” kids are first in line for “Kids Run the Bases” after every Sunday home game.
The Nationals were the first organization to partner with the USO on the Me and a Friend program and is helping them expand this program nationwide.
The Nationals offer at least 29 premium seats in the Lexus Presidents Club for select military groups during every game, creating a very special experience for veterans, active duty service members and their families.
These exclusive tickets include a gourmet buffet, complimentary in-seat food and beverage service, and views of the underground batting cages and post-game press conferences. Each participant is also given a Nationals baseball cap and the group is recognized on NatsHD at the end of every 3rd inning. The group always receives a standing ovation from the crowd in appreciation of their service and this special moment has become an important tradition at Nationals Park.
Since the team’s arrival to DC in 2005, the Nationals have regularly visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center and were the first DC sports team to visit National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The Nationals will continue this outreach with the new combined facility, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which is located in Bethesda.
This evolving program will offer wounded veterans the opportunity to get outside the confines of a traditional rehab facility to work on their therapy at Nationals Park. The program will not only help facilitate physical rehabilitation, but it will also serve to improve the service members’ emotional wellbeing and morale.
In 2011 the Nationals introduced the Patriotic Series, five games during each season which the team features special ticket offers to encourage fans to celebrate the American spirit by enjoying the national pastime at Nationals Park. In recognition of their continuous service to this country, tickets are also donated to service members and their families for each game of the series.
