City transit issues could derail fans of Nationals

As the Washington Nationals head toward their first postseason in the nation's capital, the team faces a dilemma.

With parking around Nationals Park limited, fans always are encouraged to take public transit. The Metro subway system has a stop a couple of blocks from the stadium.

But with the playoff games expected to start late, and the Metro shutting down for maintenance at midnight, fans planning to attend in person are faced with a tough decision. Do they leave the game early? Or do they stay to the end and risk having to find alternative means of transportation home?

It costs $29,500 per hour to keep the subway system open, and it would be up to the Nationals to foot the bill. But Major League Baseball has a policy that prevents teams from paying for such services. MLB reportedly is worried about a precedent being set, and a D.C. city councilman is trying to broker a deal that would keep the Metro running if the games run past midnight.

But failing that, maybe Bryce Harper can arrange for everyone to catch a ride home on a party bus with Stephen Strasburg behind the wheel. After all, Strasburg has nothing better to do now that his season is over.

■ MARATHON SHORTCUT - Olok Nykew thought he had run the race of his life as he crossed the finish line of the Sioux Falls Marathon. So did the race organizers who saw the 2-hour, 6-minute time the St. Paul, Minn., runner had registered.

Turns out Nykew had run only half the race after showing up 45 minutes late for the start of the marathon. He ran the half-marathon course, a route overlapping that of the marathon.

"Maybe I'm lost, I don't know," Nykew, 37, told the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus-Leader. "I thought, 'What is this?' When I got there, I thought it was not long enough. I'm thinking I'm not cheating. I was just confused. It was an honest mistake."

Race organizers sorted things out and disqualified Nykew. Justin Gillette of Goshen, Ind., who ran 2:30.10, was declared the winner.

As for Nykew, he needs to get a better alarm clock or get better at reading email since the marathon's start time was 6:45 a.m.

■ POLE MISHAP - When you're tailgating at an NFL game, you have to do more than stuff your face with beer and brats for three hours.

Alternative forms of entertainment need to be sought. At Soldier Field, someone had the brilliant idea to put a stripper pole in the parking lot before Sunday's Colts-Bears game.

For one wannabe stripper, it didn't work out so well. The winsome lass, wearing a Julius Peppers jersey, landed on her keister while spinning around the blue and orange striped pole. Other than her pride and her butt being sore, she was OK.

It's on YouTube if you want to check it out. As for the unidentified gal who didn't quite execute the moves on the pole, she probably won't be calling any of our local gentlemen's clubs anytime soon seeking employment.

COMPILED BY STEVE CARP
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL