Over the years. I've been fortunate to visit a fair number of ballparks. And, even though I have my favorites, there are many redeeming qualities about each ballpark I've visited. Wait, I take that back. I can't think of a redeeming quality for the old Vet in Philly. What a dump!
But other than the Vet, there are many great things that come to mind when I think about each ballpark I've visited.
When Nats Park opened a few years ago, I couldn't be happier. Before the Nats arrived, the closest MLB team was the Orioles. While Camden Yards is quite nice, the hike to Baltimore is tough given the afternoon rush-hour traffic and the latenight return home.
We go to 5 or 6 Nats games a year and every game is a good time. The DC landmark, Ben's Chili Bowl, has a location on the 3rd base concourse. The Red Porch bar area in center field is a great place to have a few beers and watch the game. And, unlike many parks (especially the one just north of us up I-95 (are you listening Orioles?)), the Nats Park ushers don't let people walk up and down the aisle during an at-bat (BEST. IDEA. EVER.) However, when I've thought about what makes Nats Park truly memorable, nothing really came to mind. Until this past week when we were arriving for a Wednesday evening Nats game.
When you hop off the metro, you walk down Half Street to get to the Nats Park Center Field gates. As you approach the park, you notice people milling around by the entrance gates. But what grabs your attention are the extremely large heads bobbing amongst the crowd just beyond the gates. The large heads belong to the Presidents that participate in the Presidents Race that takes place midway through the 4th inning at every Nats home game. And before every game, the Presidents are hanging out at the Center Field gates to greet the fans.
What makes the Presidents so memorable to me is the way the fans (especially, Caleb and Sarah) are attracted to them. The kids absolutely love them and always want to stop for pictures with them before every game. (Full disclosure: so do I). I think the Presidents are the perfect combination of friendly, goofy, and slightly aloof (and, uhhh, presidential?). In addition to high-fiving fans and posing for photos, you can often catch them stepping away from the crowds to do a little dancing. And if anything is memorable, the sight of a 10-foot costumed version of Abe Lincoln cutting the rug is indeed memorable.
Sarah's favorite is Teddy because as she put it, "He's fast and he won the race once. And once he was running really fast and the mascot for the Phillies came out and tackled him and Teddy couldn't get up. And then he was actually in second place because he was running so fast." Caleb's favorite is as he put it, "Teddy! Teddy! Teddy!" and he claims allegiance to Teddy because he "roots for the underdog."
So, from now on, when I'm asked what makes Nats Park memorable, I'll mention the attraction my kids have to the Presidents and the Presidential greeting we receive before every game.
Below are our pictures with the Presidents: George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy. Oh yeah, we also took a picture with Bryce Harper.
But other than the Vet, there are many great things that come to mind when I think about each ballpark I've visited.
- The amazing view of downtown Pittsburgh and the Clemente Bridge from the 3rd base seats of PNC Park
- The friendly rowdiness (drunkenness) of the bleachers in Wrigley
- The narrowness and brick facade of the concourse levels at Fenway
- The majestic feel of the warehouse at Camden Yards (especially at night)
When Nats Park opened a few years ago, I couldn't be happier. Before the Nats arrived, the closest MLB team was the Orioles. While Camden Yards is quite nice, the hike to Baltimore is tough given the afternoon rush-hour traffic and the latenight return home.
We go to 5 or 6 Nats games a year and every game is a good time. The DC landmark, Ben's Chili Bowl, has a location on the 3rd base concourse. The Red Porch bar area in center field is a great place to have a few beers and watch the game. And, unlike many parks (especially the one just north of us up I-95 (are you listening Orioles?)), the Nats Park ushers don't let people walk up and down the aisle during an at-bat (BEST. IDEA. EVER.) However, when I've thought about what makes Nats Park truly memorable, nothing really came to mind. Until this past week when we were arriving for a Wednesday evening Nats game.
When you hop off the metro, you walk down Half Street to get to the Nats Park Center Field gates. As you approach the park, you notice people milling around by the entrance gates. But what grabs your attention are the extremely large heads bobbing amongst the crowd just beyond the gates. The large heads belong to the Presidents that participate in the Presidents Race that takes place midway through the 4th inning at every Nats home game. And before every game, the Presidents are hanging out at the Center Field gates to greet the fans.
What makes the Presidents so memorable to me is the way the fans (especially, Caleb and Sarah) are attracted to them. The kids absolutely love them and always want to stop for pictures with them before every game. (Full disclosure: so do I). I think the Presidents are the perfect combination of friendly, goofy, and slightly aloof (and, uhhh, presidential?). In addition to high-fiving fans and posing for photos, you can often catch them stepping away from the crowds to do a little dancing. And if anything is memorable, the sight of a 10-foot costumed version of Abe Lincoln cutting the rug is indeed memorable.
Sarah's favorite is Teddy because as she put it, "He's fast and he won the race once. And once he was running really fast and the mascot for the Phillies came out and tackled him and Teddy couldn't get up. And then he was actually in second place because he was running so fast." Caleb's favorite is as he put it, "Teddy! Teddy! Teddy!" and he claims allegiance to Teddy because he "roots for the underdog."
So, from now on, when I'm asked what makes Nats Park memorable, I'll mention the attraction my kids have to the Presidents and the Presidential greeting we receive before every game.
Below are our pictures with the Presidents: George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy. Oh yeah, we also took a picture with Bryce Harper.
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