Terps Sports

With the building height restrictions in DC, basically no building can be taller than 12 stories. That is a complication that other cities do not face. Because of that, there really is no city view like say Pittsburgh or Baltimore. If they could have put it on the mall, you may have had something, or knock down the Kennedy Center and put it there on the pretty part of the river.

Overall, I like it quite a bit. The Red Porch is really a fantastic place to have a beer, lean on the rail and relax while taking in the game. For me, it doesn't get much better than that. I also like the open field of vision when on the concourse, you can see pretty much anywhere, though some of the vendors block that view. (Hello waist high refrigerators and food stands.) Went to opening day, popped up to the porch, 3 people deep at the bar and 3 bartenders. Come on.

This is the biggest problem with the park. In order for it to face what you would want it to face..the stadium had to be built in the middle of the tidal basin.

obviously in 2008, they were not throwing a stadium down in DC's better hoods like they were able to do with OPACY in the early 90s-the costs and logisitcs were impossible. whatever they build near the Nats stadium will be equally as fun as a pre-game destination-and I suspect the mixed development of shops, businesses and housing (likely lofts) will attract the crowd to evolve into a good area. Right now it's a matter of money-developers are not taking on debt to build when the economy isn't there to support it.

I've been to Pickles and the other local spots near the Park a million times, you're acting like it's something ridiculously special...they're sportsbars! As noted prior, what developed around Verizon Center has turned out to be much cooler than anything around the Baltimore stadiums...I suspect when the time is right, the developers have the same plan around Nats parl.

I think this area also became too valuable and difficult to develop for a Park. I thought the area between RFK and East Capitol Hill was realistic-but at the end of the day they went with the area that would give them the least amount of headache while (at the time) would promote expansion into an unused area. It took Penn Q a few years to get going, it will take the same if not longer with SW DC because of the economy. Aside from location, which will be an asset long term, the team's handling and performance has been the biggest deterrent.

They're getting a Shake Shack. So yeah, they have that going for them.

But honestly, it's a very nice park that desperately needs a winning team. The walk from the Metro to the park is still an eyesore with all of the abandoned Half Street development. And I'm not a huge fan of the parking garages that are in plain sight from the seats, either.

Camden is what every venue should aspire to though. I love that place and I'm not even an O's fan.

I think with all the buildings blocking the Capitol and the other monuments being west, they should have just focused on making it a riverfront ballpark.

The city has an overall plan to utilize the rivers more and integrate them into city life so building a stadium right next to the anacostia that ignores it was incredibly short sighted and just sucks. The water is so pretty at night with the lights sparkling on it but our stadium faces some lame ass non skyline instead.

I think the site in Arlington where the Pentagon Row stores are located would have been a great location. Easy access for northern virginians, but right across the river on metro from DC. Leave MD suburbs to the orioles.

What is funny about this? I have done this for Friday games if I am meeting someone and cant get to Barracks Row.

another thing...there are significantly less hot chicks at nationals games than o's games...just something i've noticed

i dont think pickles or federal hill are incredible spots but id take them over chinatown anyday as a pre game place to go....chinatown has far superior places if you are looking for nice meal at a restaurant but who wants that when you are pregaming...i would bet almost anything that those spots in baltimore will be better than whatever is built around nats park...

to be fair a lot of it comes down to your individual taste...i personally would rather go to cross street market before a game than anywhere in chinatown...in fact barracks row is better than chinatown

Hard Times Chili Nachos, nubs!

whats wrong with wearing topsiders and khakis to a baseball game