Let's address the weather issue first and foremost.

The weather is supposed to be crappy.  Drizzle all night, showers in the morning, 40 percent chance of rain at 1:05 pm, rising to 60 percent at 4:00 pm and 80 percent by 6:00 pm.  High temp of 44 degrees.  Yuck.

When speaking with reporters earlier today, Nats principal owner Mark Lerner said they would do everything they could to get the game in as scheduled, but would make the call early Thursday morning so fans could prepare.  Lerner said they would not play Thursday night, so if it does get rescheduled it will be Friday at 1:05, which is supposed to be sunny and 55 degrees.

Personally, I don't think there's anyway they don't open the doors tomorrow, whether they end up playing or not.  It's just a personal opinion.  But stay tuned here and on twitter (@NatsNewsNetwork) and we'll publish news as soon as we hear it.  We plan to be at the park early (gates open at 10:30 for fans) so we'll get the news to you as soon as we have it.

As for Fan Fest, our Off the Field page will have plenty of pictures and quotes to share very soon (you really should bookmark or RSS it, we'll be busy over there this year), but I have a few quick impressions.

The weather notwithstanding, things went pretty smoothly.  Sure, there were some long lines on an already crowded concourse to meet and greet the players (though no autographs and folks were hurried through lines to keep them moving), but the number of players available was significantly higher than in years past.

Because the team waited until the day before opening day, they had the entire 25-man roster, plus selected minor leaguers (Bryce Harper, Derek Norris, Cole Kimball) present to shake hands and have pictures with the fans.

And there were plenty of fans there, despite the gloomy weather.  I was honestly shocked at the number of folks in the park.

This area is dying for good baseball.  National and out-of-towners can make all the fun they want, but I saw families, fathers and sons, businessmen playing hooky...and there wasn't even a game.  Now granted, we're talking maybe a couple thousand max, but there were games that didn't draw that last season.

Some of the other impressive things I saw and heard:

• Frank Howard, who really should have some semi-official sort of role with this franchise, told his nine consecutive strikeout story no fewer than three times.  And I enjoyed it each time.
• Bob Boone revealed his favorite player growing up was Al Rosen, not his father Ray.
• Phil Wood's personal collection of memorabilia, jerseys and other "stuff" is darn impressive.
• Mark Lerner described Bryce Harper as a "kid on a sleepover" taking his first flight with the team coming up from Florida.
• Lerner also said that other than a few single seats, Opening Day was sold out.  Even without inviting the marauding hoards from Philly to invade the park.
• Stephen Strasburg is really, really anxious to get back on a big league mound.
• Lastly, on our internet radio show on PrimeSportsNetwork.com, MLB.com's Bill Ladson went on the hook for 82 wins.

All in all, a busy, exhausting day at the park.  And I have to be back in about nine hours of this posting.  Hopefully we'll get the game in, and the 2011 season can start unfolding before our eyes.

Today marked day three of the National Winter Caravan.

The first stop was the Nats season ticket holder Hot Stove Luncheon.  The event was attended by the Nats largest collection of players yet on the tour.  There was a panel Q&A moderated by David Gregory, host of NBC's Meet the Press (and Nats' season ticket holder).

Nats President Stan Kasten, GM Mike Rizzo, Manager Jim Riggleman and All-Star 3B Ryan Zimmerman spent a good 45 minutes getting grilled by the collected season ticket holders in the sold out event.

They took questions ranging from the possibility of re-signing Adam Dunn (in the audience, who gave a standing ovation to the question with a knowing glance to owner Mark Lerner), steroids and Sammy Sosa (Riggs was his manager in 1989, and said that baseball was "naive" back then) and Zim's off-season dietary plan (no, he didn't diet, but according to the questioner he "looked great").

Mr. Kasten responded to all sorts of questions with his standard earnestness. 

Q:  What about those pesky Phillies and Mets fans? 

A:  We just want them to go home sad when they lose.

Q:  What about the big red tent blocking the view of the Capitol?

A:  There are plenty of view of the Capitol in the stadium if you'd rather watch that than the game.

Q:  What about the long lines at the concessions?

A:  We don't like 'em either, and we're still trying to figure it out.

We caught up with Rizzo after fans were invited to get autographs from their heroes.

The highlights:  He's still pursuing Orlando Hudson, but the two sides remain apart.  He still thinks there are options if they can't work it out with Hudson.  He said Cristian Guzman will be healthy at spring training.  He said Ian Desmond will be a "very good" shortstop in the majors very soon.  He just didn't know if very soon meant opening day, September, or next season.

He thinks newly signed pitcher Miguel Bastista will compete for the 4-5 spots in the rotation, but also is comfortable sending him to the pen.  And he said Jesus Flores has not started throwing yet, but will start a throwing program soon, maybe to coincide with spring training.

Later in the evening, the players went across town to take in a Washington Capitals game.  They all signed autographs for an hour before the game started, then enjoyed a spirited 4-1 Caps victory.

Oh, and for the record, Dunn was sporting a pretty sweet off-season beard (see below).  Not quite as awesome as this, but up there.

Not a whole lot newsworthy came out of the Nationals Hot Stove Luncheon for season ticket holders today. There were just a couple of interesting tidbits:

1) Manny Acta gets it. When asked if because the Nats didn't have a slugger he would employ more "small ball", he first (politely) made fun of the term, then said "You win by getting runners on base and then driving them in." And that he bunts, hit and runs and steals when he feels he has to, but that the goal is to keep getting on base, not making extra outs. He even said, "You only get 27 of 'em a game."

2) When asked if the Nats were going to sign Dunn and Hudson, Jim Bowden replied [paraphrase], "We're looking at all 97 free agents still available to see if they fit into their plan on the field and on the payroll."

There was also veiled references, but no official announcements, of expansion of the Red Porch, unveiling of statutes in the plaza, options of healthier food and other non-baseball related issues.

The next DC stop on the caravan is tonight at ESPN Zone for the Nats cook-off. Going to try to nail one of the players down for a quick Q&A, and Cheryl will have plenty of pictures from the day to post tonight as well.

IT IS ABOUT TIME, RIGHT? We have asked for a fanfest for years and we will finally get our inaugural "Natsfest" on Sunday, January 25th from 1-5pm at Nats Park. It is FREE to season ticket holders and non-season ticket holders can buy their tickets starting today for $10 adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

I wonder if it will be warmer or colder than opening day 2008. Rain, snow, shine, Under Armour or sunglasses, I can't wait! See you at Nats Park in January. Happy Holidays!

Here is The Complete Press Release from Our Washington Nationals:

WASHINGTON NATIONALS ANNOUNCE 2009 WINTER CARAVAN AND NATSFEST

The Washington Nationals today announced the schedule for their 2009 Winter Caravan, as the Team will make several stops throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including visits To Annapolis, MD, Martinsburg, WV, and Richmond, VA. The Winter Caravan will take place thursday, January 22 through Monday, January 26 and include NatsFest, the first-ever FanFest at Nationals Park, on Sunday, January 25.

The Caravan is an opportunity for the Nationals team members to connect with their fans and the Community in the region before they head to Viera, FL for the start of the Spring Training season in mid-February. Nationals players, coaches, front office executives and broadcasters will take part in appearances throughout the city and surrounding areas during the five-day event.

The Caravan will begin with a stop in Martinsburg, WV on Thursday, January 22. Players will compete in a celebrity cook-off at the ESPN Zone in Washington, DC on Friday, January 23. The team will make an appearance in Richmond, VA on Saturday, January 24 and return to the District for Sunday’s NatsFest. The Caravan will conclude on Monday, January 26 with visits to Amidon-Bowen Elementary School in Southwest Washington and Children’s National Medical Center.

NatsFest, which will be open to the public, will take place on Sunday, January 25 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Fans will have the opportunity to interact with Nationals players through autograph, photograph and question-and-answer sessions. Nationals executives will also take part in a Q&A with fans. All Nationals Season Ticket Holders are eligible for four complimentary tickets per Account.
Information on how to receive these tickets will be sent to Season Ticket Holders via an e-mail on Wednesday, December 17. All Nationals fans may purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, December 17 at 10:00am, online at www.nationals.com/natsfest, by calling 1-888-632-NATS (6287) or at the Nationals Park Main Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm). The cost of the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. The Nationals Park Box Office will be closed from Tuesday, December 23 through Sunday, January 4 while the Nationals Executive Offices are closed for the holidays.

Additional information on the Winter Caravan and NatsFest, including player participation and a full list of Caravan stops, will be released the week of January 12th.