Nationals Park Questions? (2011-2014)

[marc23]

Hey Everyone,
I have recently moved to the area and would love to go to a National's game.  I have been to other stadiums up and down the east coast, but have no idea how things work at this park.  Plus I believe it is kind of in the city so that could provide some challenges. 

Anyways... with all these questions, I thought I would go to the experts.  From reading some previous posts, it seems like you all have some great insight and I just hoped you could help me out if you don't mind.

First off, what are the better places to sit?  Being my first game, I don't mind spending a little extra ($50-60 or so per ticket), and I think sitting pretty close would be cool if possible.  I would like to bring a camera I have to take pictures, so ideally not behind a net would be the only drawback.

Parking- Are there lots near the stadium, or is the best way to park kind of far away and walk? or take a train from outside the city.

Are there any things I should be sure to do? Any good food in the area, or any fun activities, etc?

Does anyone know if players typically stick around for autographs after the game? If so, where is the best place to go for that?

I know that was a lot of questions, but if anyone was willing to offer some advice on any or all of that I would love to hear a variety of opinions. Appreciate it!

[tomterp]

Marc, here's a useful reference for you to get started.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/visiting-nats-park.cfm

[PowerBoater69]

Hey Everyone,
I have recently moved to the area and would love to go to a National's game.  I have been to other stadiums up and down the east coast, but have no idea how things work at this park.  Plus I believe it is kind of in the city so that could provide some challenges. 

Anyways... with all these questions, I thought I would go to the experts.  From reading some previous posts, it seems like you all have some great insight and I just hoped you could help me out if you don't mind.

First off, what are the better places to sit?  Being my first game, I don't mind spending a little extra ($50-60 or so per ticket), and I think sitting pretty close would be cool if possible.  I would like to bring a camera I have to take pictures, so ideally not behind a net would be the only drawback.

Parking- Are there lots near the stadium, or is the best way to park kind of far away and walk? or take a train from outside the city.

Are there any things I should be sure to do? Any good food in the area, or any fun activities, etc?

Does anyone know if players typically stick around for autographs after the game? If so, where is the best place to go for that?

I know that was a lot of questions, but if anyone was willing to offer some advice on any or all of that I would love to hear a variety of opinions. Appreciate it!

Welcome to the DC area and to WNFF. One thing that the Nats do right is customer service, in fact this thread was started by the team's customer service manager, he'll be along shortly to answer your questions.

[tomterp]

Welcome to the DC area and to WNFF. One thing that the Nats do right is customer service, in fact this thread was started by the team's customer service manager, he'll be along shortly to answer your questions.

 

 

[Galah]

Just for God's sake, stay out of the Red Porch, you'll hate it, awful food, lousy service...and riff raff

[comish4lif]

Hey Everyone,
I have recently moved to the area and would love to go to a National's game.  I have been to other stadiums up and down the east coast, but have no idea how things work at this park.  Plus I believe it is kind of in the city so that could provide some challenges. 

Anyways... with all these questions, I thought I would go to the experts.  From reading some previous posts, it seems like you all have some great insight and I just hoped you could help me out if you don't mind.

First off, what are the better places to sit?  Being my first game, I don't mind spending a little extra ($50-60 or so per ticket), and I think sitting pretty close would be cool if possible.  I would like to bring a camera I have to take pictures, so ideally not behind a net would be the only drawback.

Parking- Are there lots near the stadium, or is the best way to park kind of far away and walk? or take a train from outside the city.

Are there any things I should be sure to do? Any good food in the area, or any fun activities, etc?

Does anyone know if players typically stick around for autographs after the game? If so, where is the best place to go for that?

I know that was a lot of questions, but if anyone was willing to offer some advice on any or all of that I would love to hear a variety of opinions. Appreciate it!

You talk about moving into the area, and driving to the park, or taking the train.

Where are you coming from? Arlington, Herndon, Germantown, Waldorf? Your choices and options vary greatly depending on your origination point.

[Copecwby20]

For autographs, I've been most successful at Nats Park either down along the 1st base line pre game, or exiting the player parking lot post game.

Pre game warm up stuff was usually the Bull Pen guys and the starting pitchers, and every now and again I've seen Desmond stand in front of the dugout signing for a long line of kids.

Post game is where I've gotten more autographs. My list from back there includes

Moore
Lombo
Desmond
Gio
Zimmermann
LaRoche
Clippard
Storen
Edwin Jackson
and others that I can't remember.

[imref]

my comments:

First off, what are the better places to sit?  Being my first game, I don't mind spending a little extra ($50-60 or so per ticket), and I think sitting pretty close would be cool if possible.  I would like to bring a camera I have to take pictures, so ideally not behind a net would be the only drawback.

the sections behind the Nats dugout, 128-131 will typically run you around $50-75 on stub-hub, depending on the game, and are the best seats in the park IMHO

Parking- Are there lots near the stadium, or is the best way to park kind of far away and walk? or take a train from outside the city.

bookmark this site - http://www.jdland.com/dc/visiting-nats-park.cfm - I always try to park at the Yards lot across the street from the 1B/RF side of the park.

Another option for autographs are sunday games, they have 4 players signing typically from around noon to 12:30, you should be able to get at least two (they are in groups of two).  However, it's likely to be relief pitchers, non-starting pitchers or coaches.  We did get signatures from Coffey, H-Rod, Storen, Stammen, and Detwiler that way.

[imref]

Welcome to the DC area and to WNFF. One thing that the Nats do right is customer service, in fact this thread was started by the team's customer service manager, he'll be along shortly to answer your questions.

that is so wrong.

[tomterp]

Marc, here's a useful reference for you to get started.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/visiting-nats-park.cfm

bookmark this site - http://www.jdland.com/dc/visiting-nats-park.cfm -

 

[tomterp]

that is so wrong.

Just wait until the poor guy asks for directions to a nice sports bar near the park.

 

[Galah]

You talk about moving into the area, and driving to the park, or taking the train.

Where are you coming from? Arlington, Herndon, Germantown, Waldorf? Your choices and options vary greatly depending on your origination point.

Philidelphia is my guess, it's that time of the year.

[PowerBoater69]

Speaking of JD's map, it's a bit out of date, she's missing the two new lots near the old gravel lot, the lot across form South Cap jacked up their price, and the price on the hotel lot has dropped.  Earlier this year she asked for input, we should compile a list of corrections and send it over.

[PowerBoater69]

Philidelphia is my guess, it's that time of the year.

Quite a coincidence that the next home series is against the Phillies.  Can we get an IP check?

[marc23]

You talk about moving into the area, and driving to the park, or taking the train.

Where are you coming from? Arlington, Herndon, Germantown, Waldorf? Your choices and options vary greatly depending on your origination point.

Coming from Richmond actually.  Not super close, but the closest major league park to me

[marc23]

haha, i didn't read everyone else's comments until now.  I actually lived in the philly area but don't hold that against me! Thanks everyone for the input thus far.  If anyone else wants to chime in, feel free!

[mitlen]

Coming from Richmond actually.  Not super close, but the closest major league park to me

varoadking is in Richmond.    He might be able to give a heads up from that direction.   You can send a personal message by going to your profile under the "My Messages" section.     BTW, my boy's at VCU.

[marc23]

For autographs, I've been most successful at Nats Park either down along the 1st base line pre game, or exiting the player parking lot post game.

Pre game warm up stuff was usually the Bull Pen guys and the starting pitchers, and every now and again I've seen Desmond stand in front of the dugout signing for a long line of kids.

Post game is where I've gotten more autographs. My list from back there includes

Moore
Lombo
Desmond
Gio
Zimmermann
LaRoche
Clippard
Storen
Edwin Jackson
and others that I can't remember.

Cool, sounds promising. Whereabouts is the player parking lot in relation to the stadium?

[marc23]

my comments:
the sections behind the Nats dugout, 128-131 will typically run you around $50-75 on stub-hub, depending on the game, and are the best seats in the park IMHO

is there a net in front of these sections? or is it a clear view?

Also, I have been checking stub hub off and on.  Do you recommend getting them well in advance or like a day or two before? Not sure if the tendency is for people to snatch up the cheaper ones, or for people to drop their asking price
I was planning on going on June 7th

[RobDibblesGhost]

is there a net in front of these sections? or is it a clear view?

Also, I have been checking stub hub off and on.  Do you recommend getting them well in advance or like a day or two before? Not sure if the tendency is for people to snatch up the cheaper ones, or for people to drop their asking price
I was planning on going on June 7th

No net in front of those sections (they do set up a screen during BP, but they take it down before the games).  It's all supply and demand - a Friday night against the Twins might not be a huge draw so prices may drop closer to the game, but you never know - especially if the weather looks nice.  If you see something reasonable at any point, I'd say snag it.  Also, if you go to nationals.com/tickets and use the coupon code SPH2013, you can get pretty reasonable ticket prices there.

[tomterp]

Speaking of JD's map, it's a bit out of date, she's missing the two new lots near the old gravel lot, the lot across form South Cap jacked up their price, and the price on the hotel lot has dropped.  Earlier this year she asked for input, we should compile a list of corrections and send it over.

Actually, they dropped their price to $15 last weekend.

[PowerBoater69]

Actually, they dropped their price to $15 last weekend.

Oops, I left out that it is the lot across South Cap from the official K lot that raised prices.

[PowerBoater69]

is there a net in front of these sections? or is it a clear view?

Also, I have been checking stub hub off and on.  Do you recommend getting them well in advance or like a day or two before? Not sure if the tendency is for people to snatch up the cheaper ones, or for people to drop their asking price
I was planning on going on June 7th

Games with high demand sometimes have prices drop and sometimes rise.  I'd recommend checking every day and then if you see the prices start to move up, buy immediately, if prices start to drop, buy at the last minute.

[imref]

anyone ever try scorebig.com for tickets? 

[OldChelsea]

[...]First off, what are the better places to sit?  Being my first game, I don't mind spending a little extra ($50-60 or so per ticket), and I think sitting pretty close would be cool if possible.  I would like to bring a camera I have to take pictures, so ideally not behind a net would be the only drawback.[...]

To save a bit of money (plus no net in front of you) try the middle Infield Gallery sections (mine is in 312, just slightly to the left of home plate) - essentially unobstructed panoramic view, mostly decent concessions. Only problem is you won't be able to bring a sizable group along since the season-ticket-holder presence is fairly heavy.