Get SI's Lakers Championship Package FREE!  Subscribe to SI Give the Gift of SI
SI.com HomeA CNN Network SiteSI.com Home
MLB
Scores | Teams | Players | Player News | Standings | Probables | Schedules | Stats | Transactions | Injuries | Tickets | MLB.TV
MLB Ballpark Rankings: Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
RFK Stadium|Capacity: 45,016|Opened: 1961
OVERALL RANK
29
RFK Stadium
Simon Bruty/SI
Category Rank (1-30)
24		Affordability
How would you rate the affordability of a trip to your hometown ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
8% 20% 45.3% 13.3% 13.3%
 
Ticket Costs
Average Ticket % Increase From 2007 MLB Rank MLB Average Ticket
$25 18.4% 15th $25.43
Courtesy Team Marketing Report, 2008
Category Rank (1-30)
26		Food
How would you rate the food at the ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
13.3% 24% 41.3% 14.7% 6.7%
 
How would you rate the cost of food and beverages at the ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
20% 18.7% 44% 12% 5.3%
 
What is the must-have food item offered at the ballpark and what makes it so good?
  • "Once the new stadium opens, Ben's Chili Bowl will be the must-have food. Ben's is the iconic grease joint for D.C. locals, like the Varsity for Atlanta or Pat's for Philly. The fact that its food is perfect for a ballgame only helps."
  • "Hard Times Chili -- fabulous! Talking about the new park of course!"
  • "Red, Hot, and Blue Barbecue."
Category Rank (1-30)
24		Team Quality
How would you rate the quality of the product currently being put on the field by the hometown team?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
10.8% 35.1% 44.6% 9.5% 0%
 
Which player on your team is the most worth paying to watch?
Ryan Zimmerman Dmitri Young Lastings Milledge Austin Kearns Wily Mo Pena
78.4% 8.1% 5.4% 4.1% 2.7%
 
Al Tielemans/SI
Category Rank (1-30)
28		History & Tradition
How would you rate the sense of tradition and history at the ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
37% 34.2% 20.5% 6.8% 1.4%
 
Category Rank (1-30)
27		Ballpark Atmosphere
How would you rate the atmosphere at the game?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
5.4% 28.4% 28.4% 27% 10.8%
 
How would you rate the level of personal comfort when you are sitting in your seat?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
8.5% 22.5% 38% 19.7% 11.3%
 
Category Rank (1-30)
27		Fan Intelligence
How would you rate the "baseball intelligence" of the home fans?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
14.3% 22.9% 31.4% 20% 11.4%
 
Category Rank (1-30)
16		Fan Hospitality
How would you rate the hospitality offered to fans of the opposing team?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
1.4% 4.1% 39.7% 41.1% 13.7%
 
What is the worst incident you've witnessed against an opposing fan or yourself?
  • "Actually, the fans are not that bad to the other team. There is very little swearing at all. The fans cheer for the Nats and applaud an injured player when they get up or are helped off the field."
  • "Eating the food at RFK."
  • "The filthy Mets fans are the worst."
  • "Nothing major. Just the fact that the Nats become the away team anytime the Phils or Mets come here to play."
Category Rank (1-30)
29		Promotions
How would you rate the quality of the promotions/giveaways offered by the home team?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
6.9% 23.6% 51.4% 13.9% 4.2%
 
What is the best promotion/giveaway your team has offered? What is the worst? What is a promotion you'd like to see?
  • "Racing presidents bobbleheads."
  • "After the All-Star break, the Nationals had a Paint the Town Red marketing blitz that included giveaways of shirts, hats, and towels at three consecutive games. The free gear was nice, and the coverage of the event helped the team's publicity a lot. As far as future promotions go, I would like to see more of the same (as long as my Braves aren't in town) -- giving away free stuff helps create a better atmosphere for the home team."
  • "Umbrellas and Fleece Blankets were the best."
Category Rank (1-30)
20		Getting To The Game
How would you rate the traffic to and from the ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
27.1% 22.9% 30% 12.9% 7.1%
 
How would you rate the parking availability/cost at the ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
38% 18.3% 32.4% 7% 4.2%
 
How would you rate the public transportation options to and from the ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
2.8% 5.6% 16.9% 36.6% 38%
 
Category Rank (1-30)
25		Neighborhood
How would you rate the dining and drinking options within walking distance of the ballpark?
Poor Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
52.9% 25.7% 11.4% 4.3% 5.7%
 

Agree or disagree with the rankings? Post your own comments and see what others had to say.

 
ADVERTISEMENT
More MLB
Latest MLB News
MLB Truth & Rumors
More from SI.com
Latest News
SI Writers
SI Photos
Roger Federer's Grand Slam Titles
Roger Federer's Grand Slam Titles
All Time Men's Grand Slam Leaders
All Time Men's Grand Slam Leaders
SI Vault
Featured Stories
Covers
09.26.94
09.26.94
View This Issue
Read All Articles
Buy Cover Reprint
10.03.94
10.03.94
View This Issue
Read All Articles
SI.com
Hot Topics: Roger Federer MLB All-Stars Steve McNair Tour de France Tiger Woods
Copyright © 2009 Time Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.
SI CoverLatest Issue: 07.06.09