My Visit to Nationals Park

Walking towards Nationals Park last Friday night gave me a sense of anticipation about what Washington DC's iteration of the current-day ballpark would hold. As someone who works at the best ballpark in the world (ahem ahem Citizens Bank Park) it's always exciting to see other ballparks bring to the table and I was particularly excited about this one because of how new it is, Nats Park opened in 2008. Well I wasn't blown away, but there was also a lot of love about Nationals Park as well.

I brought tickets at the box office, seats in the Scoreboard Porch to the left of the gigantic scoreboard in right field. We sat in Section 239 in Row E with the sun directly in our faces, so what better time to tour the concourse?

It was Nats vs. Mets, so there was a bigger crowd than usual and yet there wasn't an insane amount of crowding because of the very wide surface areas of the concourse. I liked this, because I think one of the most annoying things about CBP is how tight it can be and it seems to be that way wherever you go in the park.

But at Nats Park, when you did reach those high traffic areas, it wasn't long before you reached a space where you had sufficent breathing room and that was definitely appreciated.

I entered through the centerfield gate which brought us right by the biggest team shop in the park and the Red Porch, which is a pretty cool visual out in center field. It's a restaurant and bar and there's a perch where you can watch the game, much like the Harry The K's does with their Scoreboard Perch back in Philly. It's a really cool touch.

Once we got to our seats, I was a little disappointed in the fact that the field in front of us was obscured by some bars and railings since at CBP when you sit behind the right fielder, you can see the right fielder, no matter if you're upper level or lower level.

The view of the infield was good and center field was better than expected, but I wasn't happy that I couldn't see the field immediately in front of me.

The atmosphere was better than I figured it would be, but that was of course because of the gaggle of New Yorkers that travelled down tho DC for the four-game set and they made their presence known. For this reason alone, last Friday night I became a Nationals fan. (Of course, the Nationals still lost 5-3)

But it feels like as soon as the Nationals get a winner on the field, this can be a park that can do something similar to what Coors Field did for Colorado and what Target Field is doing for the Minnesota Twins. It's just unfortunate the Nationals aren't better so they can fill the park more regularly, but when they do this park will jump, I can feel it.

In terms of food, I only had a Ben's Chili Dog and I have to be honest and say for a 6.75 hot dog, it was unbelievably overrated. It had the taste of a 7-Eleven chili dog, just four dollars more expensive. Food is never the main selling point for me in a ballpark, so I can let that slide.

Now, I have to say something about the obscenely huge scoreboard in right field, it's awesome. Plain and simple, it's a great scoreboard and I wish Philadelphia had a scoreboard that big. I'm glad that it was visible from our seats, it definitely made my gripe about not being able to see the field immediately in front of me less of an issue.

Overall, Nationals Park is a really pleasant place to go see a ballgame. I enjoyed it and I understand why so many Phillies fans are so eager to take it over anytime the two teams meet in Washington.

I will definitely be making a return engagement and my new favorite National has to be Christian Guzman, simply for having the best plate music in the bigs, "All I Do Is Win". I loved hearing everyone sing that all song all night long and seeing little kids doing the sprinkler dance in conjuction with it.

Nationals Park definitely gets an ill rating from me.

Phillies Looking to gain ground in NL East

Sorry guys about not posting over the weekend, I've been in DC for the Fourth of July weekend and enjoying the sights and sounds of the nation's capital and even took in a Nationals game at Nats Park. I'm going to give you my thoughts of the ballpark and how it compares to the Bank in Philly, but that's later.

Right now, I want to get to a team that just can't seem to find itself. Between all the injuries and the losses to the Pirates, there has been a lot of worry in Phillie land.

Until our All-Star ace Roy Halladay took the mound last night to shut down the Braves for his major League leading seventh complete game of the year.

Last night's game was vital because it allowed the Phillies to pull a game closer in the NL East, after the Pittsburgh Debacle, the Phillies fell five games behind the Braves. Philadelphia now sits four games back with two games left in the series with Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer pitching the final two games of the series.

Halladay picked up his 10th win of the season and leads the staff in wins and just gave up five hits on the night and only needed 93 pitches after allowing a career-high 13 hits to the Reds last Wednesday in a loss.

Roy is now 3-0 all-time against the Altanta Braves, a record that many Phillies fans like seeing with bigger battles with the Braves to come this season.

Tonight, Cole Hamels will take the mound for the Phillies after pitching well last Thursday against the Pirates but not getting much offense. Hamels is 6-7 on the season with an ERA a shade above four at 4.07. Cole hasn't been at his best in his last three starts though, as he has an ERA of 5.58 and lost two of the three decisions.

The Phils are at the mid-point of their season and have the same record they did a year ago, the difference being the tougher competiton the Phillies are facing this season in the Mets and a surging Braves team.

With one game in the bag, good pitching perfromances from Hamels and Moyer and a sweep of the Braves would calm the rising tension in the Delaware Valley.

It's good to be back and congrats to the three Phillies All-Stars: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Roy Halladay.