DOHA, July 3, 2024 -- The Embassy of Qatar will once again support the Washington Nationals’ second annual "Nats on Base Abroad" event at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. The event, which includes former Nationals players and an Army-Air Force softball game is meant to highlight the strong bilateral ties between Qatar and the United States during America’s celebration of Independence Day.
“It is an honor to partner with the Washington Nationals for the second year in a row to celebrate Independence Day at Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East with more than 5,000 personnel,” said Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to the U.S. “We are proud of the longstanding U.S.-Qatari partnership that keeps our region and the world safer.”
Former Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton and pitcher Doug Fister, along with in-game host Brittney Ramsey, mascot Screech and members of the club's front office staff, will travel to Doha, Qatar’s capital, to participate in a series of activities honoring service members stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Eaton and Fister will host a baseball skills clinic and help coach an Army versus Air Force softball game.
“Celebrating our nation’s military and their families is a central tenant of who we are as an organization,” said Gregory McCarthy, Washington Nationals Senior Vice President, Community & Government Engagement. “We are honored to return to Al Udeid Air Base again this year, bringing the real, gameday experience to our brave service members overseas. We want them to know that we are thinking about them; we are proud of them; and we honor them.”
The event will feature a special Fourth of July gameday watch party that will bring a taste of Nationals Park to the heart of Al Udeid Air Base. Service members will enjoy interactive activities, including an honorary first pitch, ballpark games and a heartfelt Salute to Service – an appreciation of their dedication and sacrifice.
The Embassy of Qatar is honored to facilitate this memorable experience, which will be televised live from Doha to Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The event will feature live feeds integrated into the Nationals' video board programming and MASN telecast. In addition, the Nationals’ regular-season game on July 4 (between the Nats and the New York Mets in D.C.) will be simulcast to 400,000 troops at bases worldwide via the American Forces Network (AFN).
The Embassy of Qatar and Nationals have invited the families of 250 service members from the Washington, D.C., region who are deployed to Al Udeid Air Base to attend the July 4 game at Nationals Park as their guests.