For Some Fans, Stadium Designers Whiffed Big-Time

Also shopping were Chris Hedge, 37, and Dave Barfield, 40, both of Alexandria, who enjoyed the ease of getting to RFK Stadium for games last season and worried that the new stadium along South Capitol Street near the Navy Yard along the Anacostia River would create traffic problems.

Of the modern stadium design, Hedge was mostly positive, but cautioned: "I'm glad it doesn't look like Camden, and I like the glass because I'm tired of brick. But I'm afraid it might look dated in 25 years."

But Brian Thomas, 23, of Southeast Washington, said, "I like the glass because that doesn't get old." He compared the overall look to a "mall."

The stadium has been a hot topic in Internet chat rooms, with nearly 200 comments on one discussion string at http://Ballparkguys.com .

One chat room participant from the District identified as "Baseball in 87" said the stadium did reflect the nation's capital in certain ways.

"To me the thing that says Washington about this stadium is the limestone and glass design and the view of the Capitol from the upper deck. Having seen enough faux-brick throwback ballparks to last a lifetime, I am all in favor of this new design approach," this chatter wrote.

By 5 p.m. yesterday, 2,418 people had taken part in an unscientific poll at http://washingtonpost.com , with 38 percent voting that the design is "fabulous, can't wait." Sixteen percent said the stadium look was "no Camden Yards," and the remaining 46 percent of respondents were undecided about the look or uncertain that the stadium would be built with the current design.

Since the stadium will not open until at least 2008, some fans were already making suggestions about possibly tailoring the design.

A http://Ballparkguys.com contributor from the District identified as WebberDC gave the ballpark favorable ratings except for the row of club seats that forced architects to move the top deck higher.

"The club seat market in DC has been awful," the person wrote. "The model is antiquated. . . . If you eliminate that deck, and consolidate decks 3 and 4, the park is perfect for all users. If you insist on club seats then you could place them in the lower third of the upper deck (note: still a two deck park) with its own concourse for exclusivity."