On March 5, the Manassas City Council held a closed-door session to discuss "terms and conditions for the disposition of publicly held real property" located at Nokesville Road and Godwin Drive, where the baseball complex sits. The meeting was held under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3), which allows real estate negotiations to be discussed in private. Following the closed session, the council made no public statements regarding the discussion, leaving uncertainty about the future of the property.
In 2021, the City of Manassas granted Micron Technology an option to purchase the complex as part of the companyâs potential expansion plans. The agreement allowed GMBL to continue using the fields for up to 24 months after a sale while the city explored alternative locations for the league. However, Micron never exercised the option, and the baseball league has remained in place.
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The Stafford County School Board is set to present the conceptual design plans for the new Edward E. Drew Middle School at its meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
The presentation will provide the public with a first look at the proposed layout, key features, and community-driven design elements aimed at enhancing education, safety, and accessibility for future students.
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The Fredericksburg Nationals (FredNats), in collaboration with the Fredericksburg Area Museum, Germanna Community College, and Dovetail Cultural Resource Group/Mead & Hunt, have unveiled a new alternate uniform identity for select games in the 2025 season.
For select home games, the FredNats will take the field as the Fredericksburg Frogs, a tribute to an all-African American team that played in downtown Fredericksburg from 1919 through at least the late 1930s, according to a press release. Known in the press as âthe worldâs hoppinest team,â the Frogs were a source of pride and entertainment for the local community, the team adds.
The Fredericksburg Nationals did not respond to a request for an interview for this story.
A Historic Tribute Through Design
According to the press release, the newly designed uniforms reflect a mix of historical homage and modern aesthetics. The jerseys feature a white base with green pinstripes, complemented by âFredericksburgâ in a bright mustard-yellow script across the chest. A circular logo on the left sleeve showcases a crowned frog within a diamond emblem, while the caps feature a marching frog logo sporting the FredNatsâ âFâ on its crown. The hat design incorporates a white front panel, yellow back, and green bill.
Despite the Frogsâ strong presence in Fredericksburgâs baseball scene for over two decades, little recorded history remains beyond scattered newspaper mentions and oral recollections. With no known photographs of the original team, the FredNats and their community partners undertook an extensive historical research project upon the teamâs arrival in 2020 to reconstruct the Frogs’ legacy.
The Naming Controversy
When the minor league team, called the Potomac Nationals, moved from Woodbridge to Fredericksburg in 2019, it held a naming competition to drum up support and buzz. The team didn’t veer far from its old name, choosing to be called the “Fredericksburg Nationals” AKA “FredNats.” At the time, it sparked outcry from the public participating in the naming competition. Because the internet never forgets, here are some comments posted to the team’s Facebook page after the announcement:
- “Ugh, so disappointed in the name. We had an opportunity to make it fun and exciting we play the ‘Pelicans, Mudcats, Woodpeckers.’ We could have been Cannons, Generals, Foxhounds.”
- “Seriously?! You hype a new name for months and then donât change the name at all?!!!!”
- “Iâm fine with it being the Nationals but why go thru the all naming contest and all the hype unnecessarily? I still think The Gridlocks would have been perfect. Some big ass ugly orange cone as a mascot…”
- “Seriously.. in this age of amazing marketing potential. The F-Nats? … minor league indeed! I just recently got to visit Huntsville, AL – they named a minor league baseball team the Trash Pandas! Crazy right? No! Genius! They canât keep merchandise in stores – sells out too fast! Truly brilliant. Anyway. Have fun, F-Nats! Weâll miss you in Woodbridge!”
However, a championship team has a way of silencing critics. The FredNats clinched the 2024 Carolina League Championship, securing their second league title in franchise history. The team defeated the Down East Wood Ducks in a thrilling championship series, proving their dominance in Minor League Baseball. Fueled by standout performances from top prospects and strong team chemistry, the FredNatsâ victory reinforced their identity in the city and solidified their place in Fredericksburgâs sports culture.
Unveiling at Virginia Credit Union Stadium
The new identity was revealed last month at Virginia Credit Union Stadium during a special event featuring a panel moderated by Dr. Gaila Sims, Curator of African American History and Vice President of Programs and Interpretation at the Fredericksburg Area Museum.
Historian Dr. Kerri Barile Tambs, of Dovetail/Mead & Hunt, presented extensive research detailing the history of African American baseball in Fredericksburg. The panel also included esteemed community members who shared personal stories and insights on the sportâs cultural significance in the region over the past century.
2025 Fredericksburg Frogs Game Schedule
The FredNats will take on their alternate identity as the Frogs on the following dates:
- Friday, May 9
- Friday, June 6
- Friday, July 18
- Friday, August 15
- Friday, September 5
The FredNats will begin their 2025 season on the road at Carolina on Friday, April 4, before returning for their home opener at Virginia Credit Union Stadium on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:35 p.m.
During a tense Manassas Park Governing Body meeting on March 4, Mayor Alanna Mensing raised a pointed question about the city treasurerâs plan to publish the names of delinquent taxpayers.
"It is a shame tactic, right? You are putting out people's names to kind of compel them to pay so that they're not publicly shamed. And so does that actually work?"
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Maria Martinâs journey from catering her sister's wedding to opening Juan More Taco in Fredericksburg began with a small food truck in 2016.  Juan More Taco visited community events and local businesses, serving Latin American food with a twist - the dishes incorporate Honduran flavors.
Martin said the community support of their food truck was a driving factor in opening a restaurant. âWe couldnât keep up with the demand on our tiny little food trailer,â she said. They moved into 826 Caroline Street in March 2019. A second restaurant opened in Richmond in January 2024.
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In mid-February, Peter Mealy headed to the Walker Grant Middle School PTA meeting in Fredericksburg to speak about his latest venture teaching guitar to students after school at Walker Grant and hopefully enlarging the program in one form or another.
Mealy is a well-known musician around Fredericksburg, and if he can use the guitar in a positive fashion then so can students who learn it in middle or high school. âThen they have a skill for life,â he said, stressing that itâs not going to cost the school system a huge chunk of money for something that might deliver a huge chunk of benefits for the students.Â
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The Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) Board received an update on chronic absenteeism in the district on Feb. 25 from Jennifer Cassata, MCPS' executive director of accountability and finance.
Cassata said addressing absenteeism takes a village, and the district has just that. MCPS has employed a hierarchical structure of those accountable for students, including counselors, teachers, attendance officers, administrative associates and principals.
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Data centers in Prince William County could see an increase in the tax rate for computers and peripherals used by data centers as the Board of County Supervisors deliberates on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The proposed tax rate for computer and peripheral (C&P) equipment is set to rise from $3.70 to $4.15 per $100 of assessed value, a move that could significantly impact data center operators and businesses utilizing advanced technology.
The Board of County Supervisors voted to advertise the new C&P tax rate, meaning they can lower the rate during their upcoming budget discussions but cannot raise it beyond the advertised amount. Some supervisors expressed concerns about the increase, arguing it could deter business investment, while others emphasized the need for additional revenue to support county services.
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A Manassas mother of three, LaToya Crabbe, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge for the October 21, 2024, shooting death of her husband, Curtis Crabbe. This marks the second time she has been indicted, following the dismissal of an earlier indictment due to prosecutorial unpreparedness.
Late last month, Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Angela Horan ordered Crabbe's release from jail after dismissing a second-degree murder charge against her, citing repeated missed deadlines by the prosecution.
