Baby Nats
Welcome to Baby Nats.
# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 8:33 PM 
The Zephyr franchise came to New Orleans from Denver in 1993. Known there as the Bears, the team was forced to move when the city of Denver was awarded an expansion franchise that began play there in 1994. The Zephyrs were the first professional baseball team to call New Orleans home since the Pelicans left in 1977. The Zephyrs became the top affiliate of the Houston Astros in 1997 and began play in their new park, Zephyr Stadium, in the same year. They become an affiliate of the Expos/Nationals in 2003.
Make no mistake, parts of New Orleans are still uninhabitable. Tulane University, located in the area most hard hit by Hurricane Katrina, will be unable to use their baseball field for the 2006 season.
The Zephyrs, 'AAA' affiliate of the Washington Nationals, will allow the Green Wave use of Zephyr Stadium for the forseeable future. The stadium was damaged, but team officials say the facility will be ready in time for opening day.
Professional baseball in Harrisburg dates back to 1883, when the first team named "Senators" played in the Atlantic Association. Over the next 20 years, Harrisburg fielded teams in the Atlantic League, the old Eastern League, the Tri-State and New York Penn leagues.
There was no baseball in Harrisburg from 1952 until 1987, when the new "Senators" signed an agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They became affiliated with the Expos in 1989, and has been the franchise's 'AA' team since.
The Sentators signed 24 year old Elenor Engle in 1952, and had her in uniform and on the roster for four days. She never played. In 1993, led by Cliff Floyd and Rondell White, the Senators started 35-9 before cruising to the Eastern League title. They were named by "Baseball America" as one of the 100 best minor league teams ever.
Since the rebirth of baseball in 1987, the Senators have sent more than 100 players to the major leagues.
Commerce Bank Park sits on the exact spot where baseball had been played earlier in the century, where other Harrisburg teams played from 1907 - 1952. The location is City Island, which is in the middle of the Susquehanna River, which runs through Harrisburg. The 6,300 seat stadium is part of a sixty-two-acre waterfront park and sports complex. The facilities include volleyball courts, softball fields, water golf, nature tails, jogging paths, cycling paths, two marinas, the "Pride of the Susquehanna" paddlewheel riverboat, and a food court called RiverSide Village. The Ballpark is a steel and aluminum structure, which is packed full of fans for nearly every game. In fact, Senators fans are so reknowned for their love of baseball (and their insane cheering) that they (the stadium and the crowd) were featured as the Spring Training facility in the movie "Major League II," starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Beringer and Corbin Bernsen.
I am a 49 year old father of six. Born in Beirut Lebanon, I have lived in dozens of countries world-wide and ten states here in America. Although I was born in the Middle East, I consider Washington, D.C. my home town. I have lived in Pocatello Idaho since 1991. Although D.C. is a great place to enjoy life, Idaho is a great place to raise your children. My kids have benefited from the safe surroundings and quality education we have here.
Two of my six children were born with serious physical and mental handicaps, which has made my life anything but normal [don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have had it any other way]. Kendi died two years ago at the age of 20 due to a nurse's error during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so very much.
After 30 years in the business world, I have gone back to school to get my teaching degree. I am currently a junior at Idaho State University in Pocatello.
My wife Tracey and I have been happily married for 26 years. She is more than special; she is that which makes my life worth living. Without her, I'd be nothing.
I am a religious conservative, but I don't believe that my views are absolute or absolutely right. I come from a land where diverse opinions were silenced, so America's diversity of thought makes it a very special place for me.
I am a lucky man. My wife loves and respects me, and all of my children treat their father better than I treated mine.
I couldn't ask for any more.
Tracey & I have been married for 26 years. Her father was in the Air Force, and she spent much of her childhood years in foreign lands around the world. Tracey is a talented artist. She has won several blue ribbons for her porcelain dolls
Kira and Aaron were married in 2003. She recieved her second degree from Idaho State University and works with special needs children. Aaron attends ISU and works at UPS.
Kendi was born with severe physical and mental handicaps. Even at the age of 20, she wore a diaper, and had to be fed by her mother or I. She spent her life in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from enjoying every moment she was on the earth. She died in 2003 due to a nurse's mistake during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so much
Kristen & Mark were Married in August, 2005. Kristen will receive her 2nd degree from BYU-Idaho in December in construction management. Mark has recently returned from an LDS church mission and will begin attending college full-time next spring
Kourtney will graduate from high school next spring. She has already taken several college classes. She has wanted to be a mortician since she was 12
Katie was born with the same genetic disorder as her sister Kendi, though not as severe. Katie is able to walk, even run. She cannot talk but has learned a 100 word sign vocabulary. She loves to go for long walks [I push her in a special stroller] around the neighborhood
Korth loves all sports, but excels in baseball. He has been on post-season all star teams each year he has played. He spends a great deal of time playing with his handicapped sister so that she always has something "fun" to do