Arlington Little Leaguers Help the Nats Celebrate All-Star Week

Two Arlington Challengers rounds the bases at Nats Park (courtesy of Melody Kiser)

The Arlington Challengers warm up at Nats Park (courtesy of Melody Kiser)

Kenmore Middle School’s Anton Soszey (right) with other Challenger coaches and volunteers (courtesy of Melody Kiser)

The Challengers line up to bat at Nats Park (courtesy of Melody Kiser)

Wakefield High School’s Anna Tiernan goes up to bat (courtesy of Melody Kiser)

With the MLB’s All-Star squads in town, some Arlington Little Leaguers got a chance to hit the field at Nats Park.

The MLB invited 10 members of the county’s “Challenger” squad, reserved for kids with special needs, to square off in a special game Friday (July 13) against other players from across the D.C. region.

Players from other Little League Challenger teams and similar “Miracle League” teams took the field alongside several former Nats players — Sean Burnett, Scott Hairston, Kevin Frandsen and John Lannan — not to mention Nats mascot Screech and “Racing President” Teddy Roosevelt.

Each player participating got their own at-bat and a chance to circle the bases. Parents and volunteers from the various teams, including five from Arlington’s squad, helped staff the event.

MLB will wrap up its All-Star Week festivities with its 89th annual All-Star game tonight (Tuesday) at Nats Park.