The DC Traveler

It’s baseball season again and the Washington Nationals had their home opener yesterday against the Florida Marlins.

In Spring training, the Nats were 6 and 6 with 2 ties. And after a fifth-place finish last year, and some serious questions about team unity, the Nats have high hopes for this year’s season. With a new manager and a few new players, DC baseball fans are hoping for a great season.

Unfortunately, the Nats lost their home opener 9 to 2.

The Nats currently play at RFK Stadium and after the 2007 season, a new ballpark, with 41,000 seats is scheduled to be ready for the National’s opening day in 2008.

Some rule changes for the 2007 season

• To help speed the game, where there are no runners on base, the pitcher has 12 seconds to pitch to the batter after the batter is in the batter’s box.
• After some ball scuffing controversy last season,any player who scuffs or defaces a baseball would be ejected and receive an automatic 10-game suspension.
• Pitchers will be allowed to wear a multicolored glove if the umpire determines it isn’t distracting.
• In the stretch position, a pitcher instead of a windup with no runners on base will no longer have to come to a complete stop.
• A player may no longer step into the dugout to catch a foul ball, but can reach into a dugout.
• A batter running to first base will be allowed to exit the 3-foot lane in foul territory “for the sole purpose of touching first base”.
• A batter will lose the ability to run to first base on a dropped third strike if he leaves the dirt circle around home plate unless he does so while trying to reach first base.

Washington Nationals Baseball
RFK Stadium
2400 East Capitol Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003

Tickets - Tickets range from $5.00 to $55.00 and are available online, as well as through various ticket brokers and Craig’s list.

Home games during the Nat’s 74 game schedule run from April 2nd until Sept. 23rd and start at 1:05, 1:35 or 7:05 p.m.

Nearest Metro subway station - Stadium-Armory Station - Blue or Orange lines

Parking – there are numerous paid parking lots at RFK Stadium

Photo credits: Flickr
__________________________________________________________

Comments Off