The Ballpark's Hits

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Ballpark Bars Are a Hit

At the halfway point in the season, Nationals Park is receiving good reviews for its sightlines, scoreboard, atmosphere and public transportation, but the food prices are another matter.

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"This is definitely the way to go," said Rebecca Scritchfield, who with her husband, Andrew, has partial season tickets and travels to the ballpark from Takoma Park in the District. "The lines are always moving. We've only had to wait for a train once. It's been really good."

The Nationals enticed others to park at the team's old home, RFK Stadium, by making those spaces free and offering a free shuttle. The shuttle's popularity this season was overshadowed by an accident Friday involving a double-decker bus. Two fans riding on the upper deck were fatally injured after their heads struck a freeway overpass on the way to the game that night. Police are investigating the accident.

Parking

Perhaps because of all the people taking Metro or using shuttles, finding a parking space is fairly easy, although it carries a price.

Early on, the team guaranteed parking only to season ticket holders -- and they had to pay upfront for spots. The Nationals now are offering fans a chance to pay for parking at individual games. Lot W on M Street SE across from the Navy Yard entrance and Lot T at K and Canal streets cost $20. Lot HH, farther from the ballpark on South Capitol Street, costs $15. One night last week, Lot W had several hundred empty spaces.

Although some season ticket holders said they might rethink buying parking next year, Dave Kraus is content. He shares season tickets with friends and tailgates in an M Street lot just two blocks from the ballpark before every game he attends.

He, his wife and friends polished off white wine and salad, then folded a table as the opening pitch started a game last week. There were plenty of empty spaces in the lot.

Traffic has not been as bad as many people expected, said Kraus, who added that he faces much worse congestion near his home in Springfield.

Food

The lines seem to move a bit faster since the spring, when innings could go by before hungry fans got to the counter for chili dogs, barbecued chicken and other fare. The team and its food service, Centerplate, changed some of the queue patterns for patrons and gave workers more training.

Grumbling about prices persists, however, with a simple meal of burgers, fries and a drink costing $16.

"They're expensive," said Greg Fuller, who spent $25 on two beers and chicken nuggets with fries at a game last week.

Atmosphere

The ballpark gets high marks from fans for its sightlines. Nearly all seats, even the $5 spots in the upper deck that are sold on game day, have good views of the playing field. The scoreboard's clear picture and graphics have been hits, although the numbers don't often favor the Nationals.

Other planned hallmarks of the ballpark are works in progress. The priciest seats behind home plate, which cost about $325, remain mostly empty, and that is costing the Lerners money at the gate.

The owners dreamed of making the park instantly recognizable on television, but the empty seats create the false impression that the park is desolate.

The cherry trees in the plaza beyond the outfield looked good for a few games early in the season but now are downright scrawny.

The Kids Zone receives good reviews as a place to take a break from the game. It houses a batting cage, jungle gym and free PlayStation 3 games.

"It's one of the few things you don't have to pay for except for the bathrooms," said Tim England of Arlington County, who was supervising his son and a friend during a game last week. "It's a plus having this at the stadium."

He added, "Overall, I like it. I just wish the Nationals were doing better."