The Future of Nats Park

[madj55]

I think it would be a huge improvement aesthetically if they were to figure out a way to plant foliage on the sides of the garages that face the interior of the ballpark, covering them in green during the season. I've seen it done elsewhere, though it might be a challenge considering the local climate.

Agreed - the garages don’t bother me being there because there’s so few places to park around the stadium now and I know for some fans that’s the only option. It’d be nice if they were somehow able to cover the garages with the brick/stone that sits behind homeplate.

Other than that, my only real complaint is that they don’t seem to take pride in the stadium with regards to cleanliness/routine maintenance.

The green on the outfield walls look so faded and far away from what they look like in their prime from 2012-2018 (before Mark took over).

The sun-faded ads on the scoreboard should be replaced every 5 years or so if they aren’t going to go digital. The new scoreboard essentially looks like a Bugatti under a carport due to that.

The Brewhouse bar doesn’t look like it’s been touched since 2008.

They seem to have given up on the ribbon board above the Ultra Loft which is a mistake IMO.

Still my favorite place to watch a game but if they could just do the little things more consistently it would go a long way.

[imref]

Last time I was at the loft we took the stairs on the right as you face the field, one of the landings was covered with about 1" of water, which was kind of disgusting.

[varoadking]

I think it would be a huge improvement aesthetically if they were to figure out a way to plant foliage on the sides of the garages that face the interior of the ballpark, covering them in green during the season. I've seen it done elsewhere, though it might be a challenge considering the local climate.

I mean...it would be nicer, sure, but honestly, I've never gone to a sporting event for anything but on-field views, so it's a nothingburger for me...

Now, adding the USC Cheerleaders...they would certainly make a difference...

[imref]

A bunch of renderings of plans to renovate Nats Park:
https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/02/03/washington-nationals-park-stadium-renderings

[Smithian]

I understand it's the world we live in, but what a ****ing joke that someone can look at Nationals Park and think it's time for taxpayers to give it an expensive face lift

[welch]

I understand it's the world we live in, but what a ****ing joke that someone can look at Nationals Park and think it's time for taxpayers to give it an expensive face lift

+1.

The District is paying for renovations to Capital One, and preparing to pay toward a new Redskins/Commanders stadium near the Armory. So that means DC should also pay for some junky "facelift" to Nats Park?

[HalfSmokes]

+1.

The District is paying for renovations to Capital One, and preparing to pay toward a new Redskins/Commanders stadium near the Armory. So that means DC should also pay for some junky "facelift" to Nats Park?

The lease is up in 2037. The city should tell them to pound sand

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Well, I would rather see the stadium taxes account used for Nats Park than raided

[varoadking]

The lease is up in 2037. The city should tell them to pound sand

Agreed...they don't deserve crap...all the Lerner's are doing is lining their own pockets.  freak 'em...

[Smithian]

+1.

The District is paying for renovations to Capital One, and preparing to pay toward a new Redskins/Commanders stadium near the Armory. So that means DC should also pay for some junky "facelift" to Nats Park?

I understood bribing the WizKids and Caps to stay. Virginia offered too much for them to say no, and had DC not have put up some money, I think Leonsis eats the pain and moves. And you lose the top two attractions at that arena and likely the arena area descends in the depths of hell.

I sort of understand the Commanders bringing back. I like it to give some juice to that area of D.C.

I just can't look at Nats Park completely packed with modern amenities and luxury seating and think it needs to be touched up. I like Cap One, but I acknowledge you place that next to other modern arenas and it is out of date. I don't see it with Nationals Park.

JCA is right there are some attributed funds. I am not screaming scandal. I just don't like it.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

(oh my bad, that was "USC")

Now, adding the USC Cheerleaders...they would certainly make a difference...

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I'm sure that some pretty foliage will get attendance back up. 

[madj55]

I understood bribing the WizKids and Caps to stay. Virginia offered too much for them to say no, and had DC not have put up some money, I think Leonsis eats the pain and moves. And you lose the top two attractions at that arena and likely the arena area descends in the depths of hell.

I sort of understand the Commanders bringing back. I like it to give some juice to that area of D.C.

I just can't look at Nats Park completely packed with modern amenities and luxury seating and think it needs to be touched up. I like Cap One, but I acknowledge you place that next to other modern arenas and it is out of date. I don't see it with Nationals Park.

JCA is right there are some attributed funds. I am not screaming scandal. I just don't like it.

Compared to other stadiums that opened up around the same time Nats Park does feel dated IMO. Target Field being the best example I have - the difference there being their ownership has paid out of pocket to keep the place looking nice and since Ted Lerner gave Mark control the Nats haven’t paid to maintain anything at the stadium.

[HalfSmokes]

A legislator in Illinois just introduced a bill requiring teams to go at least .500 in 3 of the last 5 seasons to be eligible for public stadium funding. It will never pass, but I'd get behind it here

[imref]

A legislator in Illinois just introduced a bill requiring teams to go at least .500 in 3 of the last 5 seasons to be eligible for public stadium funding. It will never pass, but I'd get behind it here

Not to get political, but Trump is asking Congress for a new tax on sports team owners. Not sure how that will impact the Nats (and other teams) going forward.

Here's more about how sports teams owners take advantage of tax breaks:
https://www.propublica.org/article/sports-team-owners-face-new-scrutiny-from-irs-over-tax-avoidance

[varoadking]

Not to get political, but Trump is asking Congress for a new tax on sports team owners. Not sure how that will impact the Nats (and other teams) going forward.

Here's more about how sports teams owners take advantage of tax breaks:
https://www.propublica.org/article/sports-team-owners-face-new-scrutiny-from-irs-over-tax-avoidance

Be a real shame if that were what it took to motivate the Lerners to sell the team... 

[OfftheBat]

A legislator in Illinois just introduced a bill requiring teams to go at least .500 in 3 of the last 5 seasons to be eligible for public stadium funding. It will never pass, but I'd get behind it here

That's interesting, but not feasible because what would happen if the team goes below .500 in 5 straight seasons? Relocation because of no public stadium funding in most cases. MLB would have to manage this whole mess.

[HalfSmokes]

That's interesting, but not feasible because what would happen if the team goes below .500 in 5 straight seasons? Relocation because of no public stadium funding in most cases. MLB would have to manage this whole mess.

It wouldn’t work here, but would a team really leave the third largest market in the country? Illinois, New York, LA could get away with it

[Smithian]

Compared to other stadiums that opened up around the same time Nats Park does feel dated IMO. Target Field being the best example I have - the difference there being their ownership has paid out of pocket to keep the place looking nice and since Ted Lerner gave Mark control the Nats haven’t paid to maintain anything at the stadium.

I wonder if the setup for Lerners at Nats Park is related to fact they were handed awkward MASN agreement and two franchises had failed in DC already.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I wonder if the setup for Lerners at Nats Park is related to fact they were handed awkward MASN agreement and two franchises had failed in DC already.

the city did some cost cutting during the build out as the price escalated & the team refused to be on the hook.

[imref]

The Nats lease the park from DC, which under the terms of the lease is responsible for maintenance and upgrades. DC did upgrade the scoreboard and lighting before last season.

[PowerBoater69]

Not to get political, but Trump is asking Congress for a new tax on sports team owners. Not sure how that will impact the Nats (and other teams) going forward.

Here's more about how sports teams owners take advantage of tax breaks:
https://www.propublica.org/article/sports-team-owners-face-new-scrutiny-from-irs-over-tax-avoidance

That article is from May 2024, so that's not Trump, although it sure sounds like a good loop hole to get closed up. One guy who got out at the right time is Snyder.

[Natsinpwc]

They’re shutting down the IRS.  No worries for rich owners.

[welch]

Compared to other stadiums that opened up around the same time Nats Park does feel dated IMO. Target Field being the best example I have - the difference there being their ownership has paid out of pocket to keep the place looking nice and since Ted Lerner gave Mark control the Nats haven’t paid to maintain anything at the stadium.

Nats Park looks and feels fine compared to Yankee Stadium and CitiField. They are the two I visit.

[imref]

Nats Park looks and feels fine compared to Yankee Stadium and CitiField. They are the two I visit.

way better than oriole park too