bandl made it to the National's Stadium Opener...who else made it?

[bandl]

I managed to score some last-minute tix to the Nat’s season-opener last night at the brand new stadium. :D Did any other AGSers make it to the game? What did you think? xconfusedx

I got my tix on ebay for not much more than face value. Great seats in the 200 section just to the right of the gigantic scoreboard. It’s the largest scoreboard in MLB. It’s awesome and amazingly clear.

I have to say that overall it was a great experience. We caught the metro from Old Town and were at the stadium in less than 30 minutes, as they had train after train pulling through the transfer point (L’Enfant Plaza). But getting into the stadium was a whole different matter since President Bush was in attendance. They simply did not have enough personnel working the security points, so the lines were wrapped around the stadium. It took us 75 minutes to get in once they finally brought in some extra metal detectors.xsmhx

Anyways, after we got in the stadium, it was amazing how wide open the space is behind the outfield. So much room back there, and you can watch the game from pretty much any vantage point behind the seats in the outfield. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. The scoreboard is just gigantic. The sound system is great. The seats behind home plate are as close as MLB rules allow. There are plenty of vendors, and the lines weren’t too long at most of them except for the 3 major food vendors that are extremely popular in the DC area (Five Guys, Hard Times Café and Ben’s Chili Bowl). Apparently the lines were very long at every vendor for the exhibition game the night before, so that seems like one kink they worked out fairly well. There is a decent selection of beer throughout the entire park, as well as a few wine and liquor choices. But the prices are none so great…$7.50 for a 16 ounce beer. xeekx

Also behind the outfield is a gigantic ‘kid-friendly’ area, with a Playstation area (about 30-40 TV’s to play sports games like baseball, racing, etc.) a batting cage, etc. I think that is such a fantastic idea for parents looking to entertain the kids (89Hen, Andy 7171, I’m thinking about you! xthumbsupx ).

Overall, there are some very minor kinks and add-on’s that they could use some work on. But if you’re just looking for a great place to watch some baseball, there are few places better. IMO, Nationals Park is the perfect blend of my two favorite ball parks in San Francisco and Pittsburgh. xbowx

And how about that game-ender?? Their franchise player, Ryan Zimmerman, hits a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 9th. xnodx

[mcveyrl]

I managed to score some last-minute tix to the Nat’s season-opener last night at the brand new stadium. :D Did any other AGSers make it to the game? What did you think? xconfusedx

I got my tix on ebay for not much more than face value. Great seats in the 200 section just to the right of the gigantic scoreboard. It’s the largest scoreboard in MLB. It’s awesome and amazingly clear.

I have to say that overall it was a great experience. We caught the metro from Old Town and were at the stadium in less than 30 minutes, as they had train after train pulling through the transfer point (L’Enfant Plaza). But getting into the stadium was a whole different matter since President Bush was in attendance. They simply did not have enough personnel working the security points, so the lines were wrapped around the stadium. It took us 75 minutes to get in once they finally brought in some extra metal detectors.xsmhx

Anyways, after we got in the stadium, it was amazing how wide open the space is behind the outfield. So much room back there, and you can watch the game from pretty much any vantage point behind the seats in the outfield. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. The scoreboard is just gigantic. The sound system is great. The seats behind home plate are as close as MLB rules allow. There are plenty of vendors, and the lines weren’t too long at most of them except for the 3 major food vendors that are extremely popular in the DC area (Five Guys, Hard Times Café and Ben’s Chili Bowl). Apparently the lines were very long at every vendor for the exhibition game the night before, so that seems like one kink they worked out fairly well. There is a decent selection of beer throughout the entire park, as well as a few wine and liquor choices. But the prices are none so great…$7.50 for a 16 ounce beer. xeekx

Also behind the outfield is a gigantic ‘kid-friendly’ area, with a Playstation area (about 30-40 TV’s to play sports games like baseball, racing, etc.) a batting cage, etc. I think that is such a fantastic idea for parents looking to entertain the kids (89Hen, Andy 7171, I’m thinking about you! xthumbsupx ).

Overall, there are some very minor kinks and add-on’s that they could use some work on. But if you’re just looking for a great place to watch some baseball, there are few places better. IMO, Nationals Park is the perfect blend of my two favorite ball parks in San Francisco and Pittsburgh. xbowx

And how about that game-ender?? Their franchise player, Ryan Zimmerman, hits a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 9th. xnodx


That was all great (not really, I'm a Braves fan - but, you can't deny that it was a great jump to a new ballpark).

My question is...what was up with C. Cordero? Is he hurt?

[AZGrizFan]

That was all great (not really, I'm a Braves fan - but, you can't deny that it was a great jump to a new ballpark).

My question is...what was up with C. Cordero? Is he hurt?


Reports are that he felt shoulder stiffness while warming up for the save....he was diagnosed with shoulder tendanitis and he's listed as "day to day"....although shoulder stiffness is never a good thing.

[bandl]

That was all great (not really, I'm a Braves fan - but, you can't deny that it was a great jump to a new ballpark).

My question is...what was up with C. Cordero? Is he hurt?

Were you there? Or did you watch it on ESPN?

I read that Cordero might have felt something while warmin up....xsmhx

And Elijah Dukes has already been placed on the DL...xsmhx

I have to say that I'm pissed that *****er Chipper Jones got the first homerun at the new park xmadx ....but it was a lost cause anyways. xlolx

[bandl]

Reports are that he felt shoulder stiffness while warming up for the save....he was diagnosed with shoulder tendanitis and he's listed as "day to day"....although shoulder stiffness is never a good thing.

I think (just speculatin'...) it was a result of the cold last night. xeyebrowx Never easy to transition to a cold like that after a couple months of spring training in the warm climate of FL.

[AZGrizFan]

I think (just speculatin'...) it was a result of the cold last night. xeyebrowx Never easy to transition to a cold like that after a couple months of spring training in the warm climate of FL.


You'd better hope. He's the only bright spot in that pitching staff..... xcoolx

[bandl]

You'd better hope. He's the only bright spot in that pitching staff..... xcoolx

No doubt....they've got potential (Chico, Raush, etc.), but most Nat's fans understand that the team is still in the 'building process'. We won't be competing for any division titles anytime soon. xlolx But considering how fast DC and the Lerners put up that stadium and considering how quickly the city has taken to this team....the signs are looking promising that they are doing all the right things there to build a competitive club in the near future. xnodx

That's much more than can be said for that ass-clown who owns that club about 50 miles north of us on I-95....xsmhx

[AZGrizFan]

No doubt....they've got potential (Chico, Raush, etc.), but most Nat's fans understand that the team is still in the 'building process'. We won't be competing for any division titles anytime soon. xlolx But considering how fast DC and the Lerners put up that stadium and considering how quickly the city has taken to this team....the signs are looking promising that they are doing all the right things there to build a competitive club in the near future. xnodx

That's much more than can be said for that ass-clown who owns that club about 50 miles north of us on I-95....xsmhx

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

Angelos has set the bar pretty low in the Northeast. xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx

[bandl]

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

Angelos has set the bar pretty low in the Northeast. xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx

He just sucks at life. xmadx

I used to be a huuuuuge O's fan...even when the Nat's came to town, I still considered myself an O's fan first, Nat's fan second...with the caveat that I knew Angelos had to die soon and that Cal Ripken would buy the team xcoolx (I wish). But I have to say....with a gem of a ballpark like National Park just across the river from me now...that may well be what pushes me over the brim putting the Nat's first and the O's in a distant distant second.....let's just say that I can't name more than 6 players on the O's roster, that's how little attention I paid to them in the off-season. xsmhx

[andy7171]

That's much more than can be said for that ass-clown who owns that club about 50 miles north of us on I-95....xsmhx
I'm still loyal to them though. No way am I buying a ticket to that stadium. Besides my girls are in the Oriole Dugout Club so tickets are $6 and 15 minutes of traffic is much easier than 1-2 hours. The pictures I have seen look great though. Can't believe this is the 17th season in Camden Yards.

The O's flat out released Jay Gibbons and with 2 years to go and $12M still owed to him just so some kid would get the at bats. It APPEARS that Angelos is letting McPhail do what he wants and is staying out of baseball operations. Fingers crossed.

[andy7171]

He just sucks at life. xmadx

I used to be a huuuuuge O's fan...even when the Nat's came to town, I still considered myself an O's fan first, Nat's fan second...with the caveat that I knew Angelos had to die soon and that Cal Ripken would buy the team xcoolx (I wish). But I have to say....with a gem of a ballpark like National Park just across the river from me now...that may well be what pushes me over the brim putting the Nat's first and the O's in a distant distant second.....let's just say that I can't name more than 6 players on the O's roster, that's how little attention I paid to them in the off-season. xsmhx

I can't either. They still have Brian Robberts. xthumbsupx though he is trade bait.

[AZGrizFan]

He just sucks at life. xmadx

I used to be a huuuuuge O's fan...even when the Nat's came to town, I still considered myself an O's fan first, Nat's fan second...with the caveat that I knew Angelos had to die soon and that Cal Ripken would buy the team xcoolx (I wish). But I have to say....with a gem of a ballpark like National Park just across the river from me now...that may well be what pushes me over the brim putting the Nat's first and the O's in a distant distant second.....let's just say that I can't name more than 6 players on the O's roster, that's how little attention I paid to them in the off-season. xsmhx

Don't worry, after the yard sale they had in the off season, NO ONE can name 6 players on the roster. xlolx

[bandl]

I'm still loyal to them though. No way am I buying a ticket to that stadium. Besides my girls are in the Oriole Dugout Club so tickets are $6 and 15 minutes of traffic is much easier than 1-2 hours. The pictures I have seen look great though. Can't believe this is the 17th season in Camden Yards.

The O's flat out released Jay Gibbons and with 2 years to go and $12M still owed to him just so some kid would get the at bats. It APPEARS that Angelos is letting McPhail do what he wants and is staying out of baseball operations. Fingers crossed.

Make that only 5 players that I can name on the O's roster....:o

I understand your stance...you're a hell of alot closer to Camden Yards! But for us DCers who for years had to travel 1-3 hours (stupid traffic) to B'more in order to see a 'local' game, Nationals Park is awesome! :)

I've always loved Camden Yards...but in the past 2 seasons I got to see 6 other ballparks throughout the country. I have to say that Camden Yards has certainly been surpassed...but it will always be considered the blueprint! xnodx

[andy7171]

Make that only 5 players that I can name on the O's roster....:o

I understand your stance...you're a hell of alot closer to Camden Yards! But for us DCers who for years had to travel 1-3 hours (stupid traffic) to B'more in order to see a 'local' game, Nationals Park is awesome! :)

I've always loved Camden Yards...but in the past 2 seasons I got to see 6 other ballparks throughout the country. I have to say that Camden Yards has certainly been surpassed...but it will always be considered the blueprint! xnodx
It's really mostly a traffic thing for me not going. I could have tickets to BullerrrrWizards games anytime, but can't stand the drive down there. My in-laws live in PG County, they get on the Metro at PG Plaza and are there in no time.

You can really see the effect of the Nat's in the stands of Camden Yards, it'll be interesting to see if McPhail can right the ship if the fans come back. I had season tickets from 95 to 98. The Yard is like a ghost town compared to back then.

[bandl]

It's really mostly a traffic thing for me not going. I could have tickets to BullerrrrWizards games anytime, but can't stand the drive down there. My in-laws live in PG County, they get on the Metro at PG Plaza and are there in no time.

You can really see the effect of the Nat's in the stands of Camden Yards, it'll be interesting to see if McPhail can right the ship if the fans come back. I had season tickets from 95 to 98. The Yard is like a ghost town compared to back then.

At least from my perspective, and my friends who I used to regularly travel to Camden Yards with from DC...once Cal retired, the aura of heading up there was simply gone. The crowds were so much smaller, and there wasn't much that Camden Yards offered anymore. We used to make at least 5-6 games a season while he was there, but after he retired, it was maybe 2 or 3 times. Then when the Nat's came into town, it is maybe once or twice, and only if we're already heading in that direction (i.e., went to a Red Sox/Yankees game in NY last season, then stopped at Camden Yards for a game on the way home) and only if the opponent is decent (i.e., not the Rays). Otherwise, we have no reason to head up there. :o

But if McPhail really does have the capability (and authority) to right the ship...then I would make it a point to head up there more often. xnodx

You'd think someone would slip something in Angelos' Metamucil or coffee or something... xcoffeex

[andy7171]

Plus I love the Phillies from living in NJ as a kid.

[bandl]

Plus I love the Phillies from living in NJ as a kid.

That's a nice stadium too! Except for the bottlenecks on the walkways behind the outfield fences. What's up with that?? xconfusedx

Oh...and sorry you had to live in NJ as a kid. :( ;)

[andy7171]

That's a nice stadium too! Except for the bottlenecks on the walkways behind the outfield fences. What's up with that?? xconfusedx

Oh...and sorry you had to live in NJ as a kid. :( ;)

My brother and I were going to make a road trip to see the new stadium, but plans fell through. Next time the O's play up there an a weekend, I'm going to try again.

South Jersey is not the New Jersey you are thinking of.

[bandl]

My brother and I were going to make a road trip to see the new stadium, but plans fell through. Next time the O's play up there an a weekend, I'm going to try again.

South Jersey is not the New Jersey you are thinking of.

The only parts of South Jersey that I've been to (other than just driving through it) are Ocean City, Cape May and Atlantic City. Or is Atlantic City considered central?

[tribe_pride]

My brother and I were going to make a road trip to see the new stadium, but plans fell through. Next time the O's play up there an a weekend, I'm going to try again.

South Jersey is not the New Jersey you are thinking of.

No joke. South Jersey is just crap.

[mcveyrl]

Were you there? Or did you watch it on ESPN?

I read that Cordero might have felt something while warmin up....xsmhx

And Elijah Dukes has already been placed on the DL...xsmhx

I have to say that I'm pissed that *****er Chipper Jones got the first homerun at the new park xmadx ....but it was a lost cause anyways. xlolx

I watched it on ESPN (the last three innings). I picked up Rauch for my fantasy team just in case (I've got Cordero, too)

[seantaylor]

I'll be heading up there in May for a couple of games. My pops scored some President's Box tickets.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Watching the game on TV last night all I could think about was the stone work behind home plate. I looks great, but man it looks like it would hurt!!

Is it real?
I just keep thinking about someone catching the edge of that granite off their jaw!!!