Nationals Park in Washington D.C. is a fine place to watch a ball game, but I can’t help thinking about the alternatives. The stadium is perfectly fine, no major flaws, but it’s also not particularly unique. My opinion of the ballpark is at least partially influenced by my fondness for the city. I’ve gone to D.C. 4 times in the last 18 months, and I always enjoy it. In a city overflowing with history and architectural beauty, Nationals Park feels especially bland.
Aside from the general Red, White, and Blue color scheme, the ballpark doesn’t really incorporate any D.C. themes, or take advantage of surrounding landmarks. You can see the Washington Monument from parts of the upper deck, but that’s really the only landmark you can see from inside the stadium. I can’t say definitively, but it appears the only obstacle to views of the U.S. Capital, is the parking garage in left field. Remove the parking garage and I might have a warmer view of the ballpark.
It’s entirely possible there were no suitable stadium sites where the designers could better incorporate views of the city. But you can still dream about what that might have looked like. Views of the Washington Monument, the Potomac, and maybe the Jefferson Memorial. Maybe the views were out of their hands, but surely they could have added some character inside the stadium. In it’s current configuration, Nationals Park displays no real connection to the city, and to me that’s a missed opportunity.
The amenities inside the stadium felt pretty standard, no complaints, but nothing to really wow you. All the food I sampled was good, but nothing extraordinary. I ended up driving to the ballpark, where I had the privilege of paying $50 to park in the previously mentioned garage behind left field. I have no first hand experience with the public transit options to the stadium, but I’m told they’re quite good. Overall Nationals Park doesn’t fall short in any major category, but it also doesn’t distinguish itself.
Rankings Update
The tone of my opening comments may have seemed overly negative, but I did really like Nationals Park. To use a cliché, “I’m not mad, just disappointed”. My fondness for the city cultivated hopes that it would feature an equally great ballpark. While Nationals Park is nice, it falls distinctly outside of the great category. I ended up slotting the ballpark into the number 6 spot. It has a lot to like, but doesn’t have any unique or special features. Considering the list of stadiums I still have to visit, I would anticipate Nationals Park ending up somewhere between 10 and 15 in the final rankings.
MLB Ballpark Rankings
- Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
- T-Mobile Park – Seattle, WA
- Oracle Park – San Francisco, CA
- Petco Park – San Diego, CA
- Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City, MO
- Nationals Park – Washington, D.C.
- Minute Maid Park – Houston, TX
- Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
- Chase Field – Phoenix, AZ
- Truist Park – Atlanta, GA
29. Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, FL
30. Oakland Coliseum – Oakland, CA
This was a really interesting review. If they ever decide to update this park hopefully the powers that be read your review. You make some good points.
Went to a Nationals/Dodgers game there a few years ago. Best part was Kershaw threw three hits over 8 shutuout innings and 14 strikeouts. Then in the 9th Bryce Harper hit a bomb of Kenley Jansen. I remember the first time I had ever heard Bryce Harper was when you told me about him. That was before his Sports Illustrated cover as a 16 year old.
Have to agree – the ballpark was nothing special. I went with a friend and we parked about two blocks from the stadium in a dirt lot for about ten bucks. I think you’re right that there will be plenty of others to push it down the rankings.