How to Attend a Washington Nationals Game

For over 30 years, the District of Columbia was without a major league baseball team to call its own. After a disappointing 1971 season, the Senators packed up and moved to Arlington, Texas, where they became known as the Texas Rangers. Finally, in 2004, word came that DC had won the bid for the relocating Montreal Expos, and in 2005 the new Washington Nationals played their first season at RFK Stadium. In 2008 a brand-new stadium, Nationals Park, opened to much acclaim, and fans all over the DC area are once again singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame,"

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tickets

1. Check the Nationals website for the schedule of home games. You can also buy tickets online, although there will be both convenience and processing fees attached to the transaction. You can also buy your tickets at the box office, including the low-priced Grandstand tickets that are only available on the day of the game.

2. Plan to take the Metro (Green Line to Navy Yard), as parking at the stadium is both tight and expensive, and as any DC native can tell you, just forget about parking on side streets. If you do not care for the subway, you can always park at the old RFK stadium and take the free shuttle to the game.

3. Bring plenty of money for the extensive (yet expensive) selection of refreshments. Highlights include local favorites Ben's Chili Dog, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Gifford's Ice Cream and Hard Times 5-Way Chili (although you may have to add the onions yourself to make it truly 5-way). Don't forget to buy a "Curly W' pretzel from Noah's Pretzels--not only are these soft pretzels among the best you've ever tasted, but a good portion of the proceeds goes to support autism awareness.

4. Be sure to stay in your seat between the top and bottom halves of the fourth inning. This is when the racing presidents--costumed characters dressed as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt--race from right field to home plate. Listen for the chants of "Teddy! Teddy!" for this fan favorite and perennial loser, although he did recently win a race against the Orioles Bird during the interleague "Battle of the Beltways" between the Baltimore and DC teams.

5. Keep an eye on the Nats hitters when they're up at bat. These include Shortstop Cristian Guzman, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, second baseman Felipe Lopez. and outfielder Lastings Milledge.

6. Pick up your very own "Curly W" hat or Nationals T-shirt at one of the many souvenir kiosks outside the park. If you come on a "T-shirt Tuesday' or other promo giveaway day, you may even be able to get one for free

7. Stick around after the game if there are any special post-game activities offered. These may include fireworks on Friday nights, movies on Saturday nights, or an opportunity for kids to run the bases after Family Fun Day Sundays.

Tips & Warnings

• Check for promos like Family Fun Days to save a bit on the price of tickets and concessions
• When the DC United (soccer team) are playing at RFK stadium, parking there may be limited
• If the game runs late into the evening (after 10:45 PM) due to rain delay or extra innings, fireworks and post-game movies may be canceled

Resources

• Washington Nationals

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