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Lawyer, Nats fan filed motion to postpone court deadline so he could watch NLCS Game 5


Washington Nationals players celebrate after Game 4 of the baseball National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in Washington. The Nationals won 7-4 to win the series 4-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Washington Nationals players celebrate after Game 4 of the baseball National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in Washington. The Nationals won 7-4 to win the series 4-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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A lawyer in Alexandria wanted to watch the Nationals play so much that he took legal action.

Facing the responsibility of trial grunt work in the middle of the National League Championship Series, baseball superfan William J. Friedman filed a very creative motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to postpone a court filing deadline by two days.

The reason for the push back? So he could stay up late with his son and watch the Washington Nationals play the St. Louis Cardinals.

"Washington D.C.'s professional baseball team, the Nationals ('Nats'), began this baseball season by losing 31 of its first 50 games," Friedman, who has been representing the organic products industry for 25 years, began.

"Since that time, due in part to the unflagging support of a certain nine-year old boy closely associated with undersigned counsel, the wheels of justice have turned and the team has rightfully advanced deep in the baseball playoffs," he continued.

"The nine-year old and counsel wish to continue to stay up late watching baseball and to attend tomorrow's game, if it is necessary. Counsel's attendance at each is required for supervision," Friedman argued.

He ended by writing, "With the consent of the parents and baseball fans at the Department of Justice, this request is unopposed."

The motion (read the full document below) was filed on October 15, the day the Nationals beat the Cardinals to secure a spot in the franchises's first World Series.

The Department of Justice confirmed Friedman's request was granted, but the attorney listed on the motion would not comment on the matter.

As for Friedman, who goes by the nickname "Jay," he was too busy to comment. "I am so sorry, but I haven't even a moment. I am tied up today with the case (go figure)," he said in an e-mail.

He said he will have time for an interview with ABC7 tomorrow, Oct. 23.

Friedman is representing the Organic Trade Association in its lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture over organic livestock standards.

He is likely not the only die-hard sports fan skirting work to witness history as it unfolds in the District.

As D.C. has a rare moment to take in the sweetness of a potential World Series victory, he may want to file another motion for some extra time off.




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