The national lockdown has been a bittersweet event for the Fredericksburg Nationals.
On the one hand, the team’s front office staff and the players — who have been locked in their homes with the rest of us — are excited about returning to the field for what is going to be the inaugural season for the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
The team was supposed to play its first home game in a brand new $35 million stadium at the Celebrate Virginia complex in Fredericksburg on April 23. The early 14 of the 70 games of the season were scheduled as away games to give the team some extra time to get the finishing touches on the stadium, on which construction started last fall.
“Construction has been deemed an essential activity the state, so we’ve been very fortunate for that,” said Nick Hall, Fredericksburg Nationals General Manager in an interview with Potomac Local News.
Much of the state, if not the world, has come to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. On March 13, 2020, Minor Leauge Baseball announced it would delay the start of the 2020 season, giving the FredNats more time to work on the stadium.
Here’s the MiLB’s statement made last month:
“In light of the current coronavirus outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later date. We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it is safe to do so. The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top priority, and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak.”
In the meantime, the stadium seats have been installed, and the field’s artificial turf has is rolled out.
“Sitting in the stadium now, you wouldn’t even know it isn’t completely finished yet,” said Hall.
The stadium will, however, be ready to play ball on April 23, said Hall. When Minor Leauge Baseball gives the green light, it could mean only the players take the field without fans in the stadium, which is what is happening in South Korea after the number of reported coronavirus cases appears to be in decline.
It could be May, or later in the summer before fans can visit Fredericksburg’s new stadium for the first time.
“We’re looking at some scenarios where were playing games in May, and some that have us not playing games until as late as August,” said Hall. “It’s all speculation right now, so I don’t have a definitive answer as to when we’ll be back.”
To keep fans and players safe, the team will follow social distancing guidelines set forth by the CDC or WHO, said Hall.
In the meantime, the FredNats have been busy working to promote the new team in the community. A new mascot, “Gus,” is a colorful, fury guy who represents George Washington’s childhood imaginary friend who, incidentally, says Hall, is a big fan of baseball.
“If you’ve been hoping to see baseball in Fredericksburg for years, just imagine how long Gus has been waiting,” quipped Hall.
The team is also developing a new beer with 6 Bears and a Goat Brewing Company in Stafford County, which is now the official brewery for the minor league team. Hall was tight-lipped on the type of beer that is it will be — light or dark brew — and said an announcement about the new draft brew would be forthcoming.
Just before coronavirus lockdown in late February, the team in February held auditions for on-field and press box announcers at the University of Mary Washington. The team has yet to decide who made the cut.
The team also planned to hold auditions for singers who would perform the National Anthem on the field before games were set to be held in early March at the university but were postponed due to the coronavirus spread. Hall says the team is still accepting video submissions for singers who would like to perform at the stadium.
The coronavirus has also sidelined players in the Major Leagues. Not since the players’ strike of 1994 have so many baseball diamonds been silent.
“Here’s the difference between today and the strike in 1994, at least back then, they were still playing ball in the Minor Leauge,” said Hall.
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Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.
Davis, along with Jerrome Thomas Barnes, 40, and Jackson Arthur Crisler, 30, face charges stemming from a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024. Police said Blake had gone to a residence on Cherry Hill Road in Dumfries to sell a firearm and purchase narcotics. An altercation ensued, leading to Blake being handcuffed, abducted, and taken to a secluded area along Triangle Street, where he was fatally shot. His body was discovered two days later in the backseat of his car.
The Prince William County Police Department charged Davis, 31, of Dumfries, with accessory before the fact in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and abduction. Barnes and Crisler face additional charges, including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All three suspects remain in custody without bond.
The Fourth Wish Foundation will hold a special white belt graduation ceremony on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Underground Krav Maga and Fitness in Gainesville.
The event celebrates the achievements of 54 children who have completed three months of Krav Maga training as part of the foundation’s “Healthy Kid Initiative,” a program launched in 2024 to provide extracurricular opportunities to children from financially challenged families.
“We want to ensure these children can continue with this worthy program that has already made such a positive impact on their lives,” said Sue Khalatbari, Director of The Fourth Wish Foundation. The foundation is seeking donations to sustain and expand the initiative, helping more children gain confidence, physical fitness, and critical life skills.
A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.
The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
