Submitted By: Rich
Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: People like to disparage
"cookie-cutter" stadiums, and not without some good reason, but RFK
is a bit unique in that its sightlines for baseball are a lot better
than the other "cookie-cutters." In particular, the upper deck is
not round but is shaped according to a baseball field. (Take a look
at the satellite view on Google Maps, which shows the stadium in
football configuration.) The stadium was built primarily for the
Senators, hence the design. Other positives--extremely easy access,
whether by car or by subway. Ample parking and a direct access road
onto the Interstate (not publicized by the team for some reason) is
a huge plus that will be missed at the new ballpark. The atmosphere
when the Nationals get on a roll is terrific. The stands on the
third base side are moveable stands that swing around into left
field for soccer and football games; as such, they're metal and they
bounce up and down when the crowd starts jumping. Decent seats
a long the baselines in the upper deck can be had for $11, and
legroom is reasonably good compared to many modern stadiums and
arenas (especially in the lower level). Finally, the new ownership
seems intent on sprucing up the old stadium for the next year or two
prior to the new park's opening. They seem to be doing a good job
so far on improving the concessions.
Cons of the ballpark: Biggest con--well, the stadium is old.
It opened in 1961 and it doesn't have all the amenities we've come
to expect. Wooden seats upstairs (the yellow seats) aren't
particularly comfortable after six innings or so. No cup holders at
the seats, restrooms are small and poorly air-conditioned (and
sometimes strangely designed--one has a sink that you can't get to
unless you reach across another sink). Concourses are narrow and
relatively dark. Concessions can be very hit-or-miss; as a rule of
thumb, the "permanent" stands (built into the concourses) are
horrible and the "temporary" stands (carts and the like) can be
pretty good. Lines sometimes move very slowly, though. I praised
the parking as a plus. It can also be a minus in that it (1) costs
$12 to park and (2) the sea of ample parking means that there isn't
much around the stadium. It was built near a residential area, so
that's understandable, but if you like to go to a local restaurant
or bar before a game, you won't like RFK--your only options are to
tailgate or to go into the stadium early and buy food there.
Finally, the PA system and scoreboard aren't good, which is mainly a
function of age and of the fact that the Nationals aren't supposed
to play there for long and thus don't want to upgrade them. The PA
is either too quiet or far too loud, depending on where you sit;
also, the sound is tinny and the announcer just isn't very good,
doesn't explain double switches well and tends to come across as
overly contrived.
Additional Comments: Perhaps the main reason I have to give
RFK a "B" is the reason why the old stadium is a bit of an asset to
the team, believe it or not: I grew up in the DC area (but after
the Senators left) and I have a lot of good memories of that
stadium, including NASL games as a kid (when the Cosmos came to town
it was a BIG DEAL), the Redskins' glory years, several rock concerts
(including my first one), etc. Having baseball back at RFK brings
back a lot of good memories and I'm sure a lot of other people feel
that way too. Plus, quite frankly, as a place to WATCH A BASEBALL
GAME--which is the whole point, right?--it's a pretty good stadium.
We're all just spoiled by the many much nicer ballparks that have
opened in the past 15 years or so. If you want to enjoy the RFK
experience, approach the trip from the point of view that you're
going there to watch baseball, rather than going to experience a
ballpark with a baseball game thrown in on the side.
Submitted By: Jesse Nissenbaum
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: RFK has been spruced up nicely after a
34-year layoff from the majors. The field looks great, and I really
like the outfield wall, with the "DC" logo clock and the "Washington
Hall of Stars" banner with the names of sports greats and
celebrities of other fields.
Cons of the ballpark: The seats we had did not have much leg
room (I'm 6' so I need quite a bit). I suppose you could also say
that RFK is out of style as a baseball stadium. Opened in 1961 (as
DC Stadium), it was the original cookie-cutter, multi-purpose field
to be used for baseball and football. I enjoyed the game, but I
missed the "skyline" view from center field that you get with
today's downtown retro ballparks.
Additional Comments: I am just so glad to have baseball back
in DC, and really in the city, not the suburbs! Kudos to Mayor
Anthony Williams for pulling this one off. I also think "Nationals"
was the right choice of name. I would have preferred "Senators,"
but I knew that wouldn't happen. I know some wanted to honor the
Homestead Grays Negro League team by using that name (Grays), but
Nats is much better. Perhaps the new ballpark could be named
"Homestead Grays Field" or something.
Submitted By: George Simms III
Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: Biggest Pro to me is going to see a
ballgame at a stadium that I frequented as a kid, back when RFK
Stadium was called "DC Stadium" and the Senators played there. RFK
Stadium literally "rocks". Stadium is constructed in such a way as
to allow the stands in certain sections flexibility to move up and
down. When the team is going good, fans in these sections jump in
unison causing the stadium to rock. Parking lots surrounding the
ballpark are huge, easy to enter and exit. Plus, there is a subway
station 2 blocks away, if you want to take public transportation.
Cons of the ballpark: Most cons relate to the age of the
stadium, for example, no elevators to get to upper decks. However,
the stadium experience is good, especially considering baseball has
been absent for so long.
Additional Comments: Nationals or "Nats", is a great name
choice. Sports pages back in the 1960's used to refer to the
Senators as the "Nats", so it's good to see that name come full
circle.
Submitted By: Ken Davies
Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: The stadium has a good winning baseball
team for its first year back in DC. Most of the seats are close to
the field and have good views.
Cons of the ballpark: Its old and to big. Not enough
homeruns, are the dimensions really what they say?
Additional Comments: While RFK Stadium is decent for the next
couple of seasons it will be good to see the team at a new stadium
in DC in 2008.
Submitted By: Travis
Grade: C
Pros of the ballpark: Maintained well, good food, metro, new
park coming soon, nice open feel, my favorite team plays there.
Cons of the ballpark: Old, no bleachers.
Additional Comments: Who cares what the park is like?
baseball is back!! maintained well for an old historic park. good
food.
Submitted By: Ben Wideman
Grade: C
Pros of the ballpark: Great noise level, especially when its
on the full side of capacity. The noise bounces all over, even the
PA system echos everywhere. Parking is also pretty convenient.
They have done a nice cosmetic job considering it is a traditional
bowl stadium.
Cons of the ballpark: Ticket windows have huge lines that
move slowly. Much about the park feels temporary (team shop, ticket
booths, turnstiles, concessions). There is no skyline to speak of
because you are trapped inside the bowl shape. Most of the seating
is in the upper deck.
Additional Comments: DC holds big potential if the fans can
carry over their enthusiasm to the new park. RFK will not be missed
by this generation of baseball fans.
