The Washington Nationals’ home opener and banner raising were supposed to be held today at Nats Park. Instead, the coronavirus outbreak suspended the seasons of all the major sports and forced fans inside under shelter in place orders.
But a group of Nationals fans in Friendship Heights didn’t let that bring them down. The group organized a singalong to Take Me Out To The Ball Game from their balconies when the first pitch was scheduled to be thrown.
The video, reminiscent of scenes from hard-hit Italy, has gone viral on social media.
Video
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME: A local community organized a group sing-along to lift up #Nationals fans during what should have been the home opener. @nbcwashington @Nationals pic.twitter.com/2kLl4cGWjR
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) April 2, 2020
“During these terrible times to have something uplifting and happy like this will help a lot of people,” Dick Lasner, the event’s organizer, said to NBC 4 Washington.
“I think it was great for a couple of reasons. To give us a lift. To give other people a lift. To kinda get the message out there that we’re all home because we all SHOULD be home,” Barbara Rapaport added.
“It was almost like Opening Day,” Mike Curtin said. “We enjoyed it!”
Washington Nationals fans organized a 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game' singalong from their balconies on the day of what would have been the team's home opener. https://t.co/UcnvxBhoiJ pic.twitter.com/Jab1GwlOXf
— ABC News (@ABC) April 3, 2020
The Nationals honored many of the fans who participated in a video, tweeting, “Couldn’t raise the banner today. Still had a banner day.”
Couldn't raise the banner today.
Still had a banner day.#Nats fans are absolute champs. Thank you.#OpeningDayAtHome // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/4i2Wyt9kGk
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 2, 2020
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