Nats take July 4th gameday experience to U.S. air base in Qatar

The Washington Nationals gameday experience is traveling nearly 7,000 miles for the second year in a row to celebrate the Fourth of July with service members stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, the largest expeditionary wing in the world.

Part of Nats on Base Abroad , Former Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton and pitcher Doug Fister, along with host Brittney Ramsey and mascot Screech, will travel to Doha, Qatar, to host a special watch party for the Nationals’ Fourth of July matchup versus the New York Mets.

As part of the trip, Eaton and Fister will join military exercises and demonstrations, host a baseball skills clinic, coach an Army versus Air Force softball game, and more.

The trip culminates with an interactive watch party for service members stationed at AUAB, which transports the Nationals Park gameday experience halfway across the globe. Service members will participate in several pregame and in-game activities, including an honorary first pitch, ballpark games, prizes and a very special Salute to Service.

Back home in Washington, D.C., live footage from the watch party will be integrated into the game’s video board programming and MASN telecast, creating a two-way international viewing event.

The Nationals will air special messages from players, troops and their families on the video board during the game and throughout the two-way viewing event. The families of 250 service members who are from the DMV and are currently deployed at AUAB  have been invited to the ballpark for the July Fourth matinee.

The game will be simulcast to bases everywhere via the American Forces Network. This Fourth of July marks the 81st anniversary of the American Forces Network’s first radio broadcast to U.S. troops in Europe during World War II. Cpl. Syl Binkin delivered the radio address in England, becoming America’s first military broadcaster.

The July Fourth game vs. the Mets is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. Visit here for more information.

Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com .