Subscribe to SI
Give the Gift of SI
Extra MustardSI On CampusFantasyPhoto GalleriesSwimsuitVideoFanNationSI KidsTNT
Free E-mail AlertsE-mail ThisPrint ThisSave ThisMost PopularRSS Aggregators
RFK STADIUM
Washington, D.C.
Opened: 1961
Capacity: 56,000
Average Ticket Price: $21.43
Average Cost of Concessions and Souvenirs: $84
Pluses:
Local rapid transit system (Metro) stops at the stadium; more than 10,000 parking spots available in lots surrounding the park.

Minuses:
Like many things in D.C., traveling to and from games is a vicious circle. Traffic before and after games is a bear, prompting most to take the Metro, which subsequently becomes very crowded.
The Nationals' surprising run for a playoff spots has opened plenty of eyes in baseball's newest home, Washington, D.C.
Photo by Chuck Solomon/SI
The former home of the Redskins doesn't offer much for the kids, but it has a fair number of restrooms (48), concessions (52) and more that 350 wheelchair-accessible seats.
The Nationals' current home -- RFK Stadium, a testament to classic '70s stadium architecture -- is, if nothing else, functional. No frills here. Some of the upper-level seats seem a bit too high for baseball, but a good view of the action can be found just about everywhere. The team has also put a section of seating directly on the field (where an end zone used to be). When a Nationals player hits a home run, the raucous reaction from fans in the section causes the stand to shake. For now, giddiness that D.C. is a baseball town again more than trumps the pedestrian dining options. -- Megan Brandell  
Grab your kid by the hand and hold on tight. The streets surrounding RFK could be described as "sketchy" at best. No local haunts surround the park so you're better off grilling out at home or catching a pregame drink in nearby Capitol Hill. Stadium traffic can be tough so most fans hop on the Metro, but expect long lines. -- Megan Brandell  
2005 Record: 67-63 (all statistics through Aug. 29)
Players worth price of admission: Jose Guillen (.298 BA, 23 HR, 67 RBI), Chad Cordero (41 SVS, 0.96 ERA), John Patterson (8-4, 2.43 ERA).  
The mere fact that RFK is in baseball shape has to count for something after the ham-handed manner in which baseball and D.C. finally brought the Nationals to life mere months before this season began. Still, this is a football stadium in a less-than-desirable part of town, and while that may not matter while the Nationals enjoy their honeymoon in Washington, it will once the team falters or plans for a new park stall.  

Search