Washinton Nationals New Stadium's First...

Last night I went to the first game at the Washington Nationals new stadium. It was an exhibition game versus the Baltimore Orioles. The stands may look kind of empty and that is on purpose. They only gave out around 25,000 tickets for the game to mostly season ticket holders like me, special guests, and those that worked on the stadium. They used the day as a test run for the stadium and did not want to overwhelm everything as they worked out the kinks, such as the long lines at the food places. It was also gave the Metro a test day before the sell out crowd expected for Opening Day tonight. And overall they did well besides the one mistake I encountered that caused us to end up in Anacostia. Read my D.C. blog post for more info here.

The Centerfield Entrance is right down the street from the Navy Yard Metro Stop, which is way more convenient than RFK Stadium used to be from the Metro. Plus the close exit from the station is a handicap exit unlike at RFK where the far exit was the handicap accessible exit. Best part is you never have to cross any traffic to get to the park because the road is a pedestrian road to the stadium.

The scoreboard in centerfield prior to the game. It has fireworks in it and you can walk behind the scoreboard to the upper stands and it is kind of freaky when you are back there and the fireworks go off, as I was when they went off during the 7th inning stretch.

The field viewed from right inside the Center Field enterance.

The Washington Monument can be seen behind the lights. Tonight I have seats farther out on this side of the stadium for Opening Day and should have an unobstructed view of the monument. Unfortunately, though my season tickets are farther in and I do not think it will have any view of the monument.

The ribbon cutting ceremony and christening of the new ballpark. Included among the cutters was D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, who also threw out the first pitch. Tonight President Bush gets to throw out the First Pitch.

Sunset at the Ballpark.

The President Race between the Rushmores continues its tradition here at the new stadium. Thomas Jefferson won tonight.

7th Inning stretch

Some of the concession stands behind the Scoreboard.

One of the many Inaugural Season banners in the park. This one is behind the scoreboard.

Build-a-Bear workshop where you can build a Screech (Nationals bird mascot) inside the park. They certainly have some good stuff for kids at the park including a playground off to the right of this and a video game area off to the left of this.