DOOOOOOOO! Nats Pitcher To Visit Arlington's Central Library To Kick Off Summer Reading

ARLINGTON, VA — Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle, who helped the team win the World Series in 2019, will visit Central Library in Arlington at 10 a.m. on Saturday to help kick off the county’s Summer Reading program.

Doolittle, the Washington Nationals Player Ambassador, will conduct a special story time after receiving a welcome to the library from Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh.

Following story time, the beloved Washington National will be available to sign autographs for children. Only one autograph per person will be allowed.

Doolittle will read to children and sign autographs in the Barbara M. Donnellan Auditorium at Arlington's Central Library at 1015 N. Quincy Street. Doors to the event will open at 9:30 p.m.

Arlington Public Library launched its 2022 annual Summer Reading program on June 1. The program is made possible through the support of Friends of the Arlington Public Library and the Washington Nationals.

Between June 1 and Sept. 1, readers of all ages are invited to immerse themselves in reading, participate in 500 free programs and to explore the 2022 theme “Oceans of Possibilities.”

For each reader who completes the Summer Reading challenge, the Washington Nationals will offer one voucher — good for two tickets — to select baseball games in August and September. In addition, for each successful completion of Summer Reading, the Friends of the Arlington Public Library will donate $1 to Potomac Conservancy, a local nonprofit fighting to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands and vibrant communities.

Doolittle, 35, was active in the community during his first stint with the Washington Nationals. Along with playing a key role in the Nationals winning the franchise's first World Series in 2019, the left-handed pitcher helped promote independent bookstores in the D.C. area, including One More Page Books in Arlington.

In 2020, Doolittle teamed up with the American Booksellers Association to become 2020 Indie #BookstoreDay Ambassador.

After the 2020 season, Doolittle signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent, leaving many Nationals fans sad and disappointed. But in March, the fan favorite signed a one-year contract to rejoin the Nationals.

In late April, Doolittle was placed on the injured list with a left elbow sprain. He is expected to return to the Nationals bullpen in a few weeks after completing his recovery.