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Big heads, bigger rewards

Sports fans who would like to be a mascot for the Washington Nationals baseball team had a chance to try out for a slot among the Racing Presidents.

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Feb. 18, 2012

Racing Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington greet each other at Nationals Park. Select mascot candidates were to put through a drill that included freestyle dance, a 40-yard dash and competing in races from center field to the home dugout.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

The presidents huddle before their tryouts. The Racing Presidents debuted in 2006 and are 12-foot mascots who have a foot race during the fourth inning of every Nationals home game.

Feb. 18, 2012

The presidents huddle before their tryouts. The Racing Presidents debuted in 2006 and are 12-foot mascots who have a foot race during the fourth inning of every Nationals home game.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Lincoln and Washington stretch before they are put to the test. The other Racing Presidents who regularly circle the plates are Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson.

Feb. 18, 2012

Lincoln and Washington stretch before they are put to the test. The other Racing Presidents who regularly circle the plates are Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Each costume weighs about 45 pounds. The mascots must be available for at least 35 Nationals home games.

Feb. 18, 2012

Each costume weighs about 45 pounds. The mascots must be available for at least 35 Nationals home games.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Mascot applicants must be between 5-foot-7 and 6-foot-6. In full costume, they must run a 40-yard dash in 40 seconds.

Feb. 18, 2012

Mascot applicants must be between 5-foot-7 and 6-foot-6. In full costume, they must run a 40-yard dash in 40 seconds.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Lincoln takes the lead in tryouts.

Feb. 18, 2012

Lincoln takes the lead in tryouts.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

In six years of home-game racing, Lincoln has the most wins: 184. Washington has 132 W's in his column. Jefferson finished first 127 times. Roosevelt has yet to win.

Feb. 18, 2012

In six years of home-game racing, Lincoln has the most wins: 184. Washington has 132 W's in his column. Jefferson finished first 127 times. Roosevelt has yet to win.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Mascot hopefuls hurry through the paces.

Feb. 18, 2012

Mascot hopefuls hurry through the paces.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Successful mascot candidates will return to entertain home-game spectactors.

Feb. 18, 2012

Successful mascot candidates will return to entertain home-game spectactors.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Mascots can't be slowed by their costume, which weighs nearly 50 pounds.

Feb. 18, 2012

Mascots can't be slowed by their costume, which weighs nearly 50 pounds.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Mascot tryouts include freestyle dance to encourage fans to root for the home team.

Feb. 18, 2012

Mascot tryouts include freestyle dance to encourage fans to root for the home team.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Jefferson is the third-winningest of the Racing Presidents.

Feb. 18, 2012

Jefferson is the third-winningest of the Racing Presidents.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Past mascots report that being able to see out of the costume can be a challenge when trying to win a race.

Feb. 18, 2012

Past mascots report that being able to see out of the costume can be a challenge when trying to win a race.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

During the tryout, this contender deals with a top-heavy costume.

Feb. 18, 2012

During the tryout, this contender deals with a top-heavy costume.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

This Lincoln hopeful is unable to remain upright.

Feb. 18, 2012

This Lincoln hopeful is unable to remain upright.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

The mascots are a regular presence at Nationals Park.

Feb. 18, 2012

The mascots are a regular presence at Nationals Park.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Mascot hopefuls pace themselves during tryouts.

Feb. 18, 2012

Mascot hopefuls pace themselves during tryouts.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Washington Nationals Racing President Thomas Jefferson takes off for a 40-yard dash, part of the drill that includes a freestyle dance and two races from centerfield to the home dugout.

Feb. 18, 2012

Washington Nationals Racing President Thomas Jefferson takes off for a 40-yard dash, part of the drill that includes a freestyle dance and two races from centerfield to the home dugout.

Marvin Joseph / The WASHINGTON POST

Washington Nationals Racing Presidents Thomas Jefferson and George Washington high-five each other after their races at Nationals Park.

Feb. 18, 2012

Washington Nationals Racing Presidents Thomas Jefferson and George Washington high-five each other after their races at Nationals Park.

Marvin Joseph / The WASHINGTON POST

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