Because of a scheduling conflict, President Donald Trump will not throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day for the Washington Nationals.

Trump has declined the team's invitation for Monday, when the Nationals will host the Miami Marlins, a team spokesman told reporters on Tuesday.

For more than 100 years, presidents have occasionally thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at baseball games on Opening Day in Washington.

Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to pitch for the Nats. Interestingly, Trump was critical of the Nats' shutting down Strasburg in 2012, on Twitter.

When Strasburg leaves in a couple of years under free agency Washington will say " what were we doing". — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2012

Washington should have brought in Strasburg to relieve-- they would have won. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2012

So much for Washington shutting down Strasburg- they deserved to lose. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2012

When challenged by someone who suggested the Nationals shut down Strasburg to prevent him from getting hurt, Trump tweeted: "I hope that's the reason-otherwise, just plain stupid."

Presidents to have thrown the ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park on Opening Day include George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The tradition began in 1910, when President William Howard Taft threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Washington Senators. In all, 13 presidents have taken part in the festivities for the Senators and Nationals.