WASHINGTON, D.C. -- You won't hear Nationals radio play-by-play announcer Charlie Slowes saying, "bang, zoom, go the fireworks" anytime soon.
At least not until D.C.'s fire department and the Nationals work out a new safe location for launching the pyrotechnics.
D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin shut down the fireworks at the stadium Sunday after the ash from the fireworks fell on him before the game. At the time, he was sitting along the first base line.
"I noticed during the National Anthem there was significant fallout -- paper product and ash -- coming from the fireworks," Rubin tells WTOP.
At the beginning of this season, Rubin says, "We were firing the fireworks off from the scoreboard, and the fallout zone was obviously too significant, too many folks. We moved it to over the top of the roof area behind home plate. That looks like that's not going to work out as well."
Rubin says he and the Nationals' management staff will figure out what the best strategy for the fireworks location will be.
"We will perhaps move it back to the Anacostia River or an area that's completely safe."
Rubin says he accepts the responsibility for the shutdown.
"Ultimately, the authority rests with me."
The aim, he says, is everybody's safety.
"We want to be able to have great celebrations when our home team hits a home run or when we have victory, but we got to do it in a way that doesn't put people at risk."
Slowes tells WTOP he hasn't figured out how he'll announce a home run in the future.
"I'll have to give that some thought. It hasn't been used much this year anyway," Slowes says.
Slowes says he hopes the Nationals and the D.C. Fire Department will be able to reach an agreement.
"People have been accustomed to it, so hopefully they'll be able to work it out."
Copyright 2009 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.
Republished with permission of WTOP Radio.
