Forgive me if I'm at a little loss for words right now. That had to be one of my best sports experiences in recent memory.
It wasn't enough that I got to witness the regular season opener at a spectacular new ballpark. No, I also got a chance to meet some old friends and cross paths with other friendly faces. From BDD friends Roger McDowell, Brad Hainje (Atlanta's Director of Media Relations), Jeff Francoeur, John Schuerholz, and Mike Rizzo to other great baseball personalities like Peter Gammons, Ken Rosenthal, Jon Miller, Stan Kasten, Frank Wren, Jim Bowden and, of course, the President of the United States, the stars really came out for baseball's big party! The last time I enjoyed covering a game this much was in 2005 at the All-Star game in Detroit.
Jim Bowden talks with Joe Morgan during batting practice
To say that the new Nationals Park is beautiful is an understatement. The field is gorgeous, the site lines are perfect, the concourses are HUGE, and that scoreboard/video screen...damn that thing is unbelievable.
Yes, those are high-definition images on the video screen!
There's so much atmosphere to this park. And it all seems to fall into place. There aren't too many gimmicks, but there's certainly enough entertainment. From the Red Porch restaurant and bar in left center field...
to the batting cages in the Fan Zone...to the Rushmore Presidents...
Nationals Park has enough to compliment any baseball game.
If I had to pick my favorite part of the stadium, it would have to be the concourse. You literally can watch a game from just anywhere if you are willing to stand behind that section's level of seats. Now many of you may not want to do that. But honestly, I thought it was pretty damn cool. I could watch a few innings from over 3rd base, then a few innings down the right field line, and then a few more from straight away center field.
The only real drawback to the park is the concession stands. They either need to add more or find ways to move the lines quicker. I don't think the lines diminished at all throughout the entire game.
Some of the media may be a little disappointed as well. The press box is at the highest point in the park. It's great for the fans that the media isn't taking up prime seating, but it's a long way down for writers and broadcasters to identify the action on the field. And the press box itself is nothing special.
But those are small complaints to an absoulte stunning ballpark that will only be enhanced when the neighborhood development catches up.
Other Game and Player Notes
- Security was extremely tight. First, normal DC security searched your possessions and K-9 dogs checked out your bags. Then, the Department of Defense would take their turn, making sure you turned on all electronic devices (that might be potential explosives) and proceeded through the metal detector.
- Nick Johnson looked great in batting practice tonight and doesn't appear to have lost anything in his swing. It's as smooth and natural as it ever was, and it's no wonder why Dmitri Young started the season on the bench.
- Is anyone else as perplexed as me about Odalis Perez getting the opening day start for Washington? I realized he pitched well, but couldn't the Nationals have set up their rotation a little better coming out of Spring Training?
- How good was Tim Hudson tonight...wow, that was one impressive outing, especially after the first inning.
- Elijah Dukes was forced from tonight’s game in the 6th inning with tightness in his right hamstring.
- Despite a change of scenery, Teddy Roosevelt is still winless in the Presidents Race....Teddy is now 0-for-121 overall since the race’s inception in July 2006…George was victorious in the first race at Nationals Park.
- The Nationals improved to 3-2 with President George W. Bush in attendance.
I took some video during batting practice tonight will have more posted when I return home tomorrow evening. I'd like to thank Dave Rouleau for blogging tonight's game live while incorporating my comments. That's not an easy task. Believe me.