All fun and games at Nats’ Baseball Academy

The day after some young players watched the Nationals get a win at Nats Park, some of the Big Leaguers dropped by their facility in Southeast. The pros watched and played along in the field. Anthony Rendon had some young players autograph his shirt. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)

During the summer session, kids split their time between the diamond and the classroom. During the visit Friday, players checked out the science projects and emphasized the importance of education. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)

Here, Anthony Rendon had some kids sign his shirt. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)

"I've been able to establish quite the relationship with more than a handful of these kids, and every time I see them they light up," says Ian Desmond, the Nationals shortstop. "I do the same." (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck) — “I’ve been able to establish quite the relationship with more than a handful of these kids, and every time I see them they light up,” says Ian Desmond, the Nationals shortstop. “I do the same.” (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)

The Nationals’ Anthony Rendon pitches to his son. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)

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WASHINGTON — Rolls were reversed Friday at the Washington Nationals’ Youth Baseball Academy.

The day after some young players watched the Nationals get a win at their home park, some of the stars dropped by their facility in Southeast.

The pros watched and played along in the field, and Anthony Rendon had some young players autograph his shirt.

“I’ve been able to establish quite the relationship with more than a handful of these kids, and every time I see them they light up,” says Ian Desmond, shortstop for the Nationals. “I do the same.”

During the summer session, kids split their time between the diamond and the classroom.

On Friday, players checked out the science projects and emphasized the importance of education.

“All the stuff on the outside of this place — the baseball fields — cosmetically, is all great,” Desmond says. “But what goes on inside is what’s really special.”

The academy trains nearly 150 young people during the summer months.