More Detail Of New Nationals Park (Conclusion--Until Our Next Visit)

I LOVE THIS PICTURE--taken from UPPER INFIELD GALLERY--First Base Infield Side--Pretty Spectacular In My Book!!

The Openness of the Concourses at New Nationals Park. This topic has been talked about, written about, and wondered about for some time. Like PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia--Our Washington Nationals New South Capitol Street Ballpark is shaping up to be very fan friendly (so just get past the parking thing--OK?). No one should have any fear of heading out to a concession--worrying about missing the ballgame. All permanent concessions are situated on the outside walls of the lower and upper concourses. Mobile Individual Foods Stands will be spaced throughout those levels--as well. And, Stand Up Tables will be placed at the back of the main concourse seating bowl (in essence an extra row). So, if you just want to stand and enjoy your meal--while chatting with a friend--and still not miss the game--you can do that too. The Best of Both Worlds.



Upper Level Concourse--just as convenient, but smaller.





And this particular shot depicts well how even The Media was placed higher so that fan's views in The Upper Levels of New Nationals Park will not be blocked while at the concession stands.

Now, there will be three ways to reach your seat--if you are located on any of the Upper Levels.
Walk Ramps
Escalators
Elevators (notice the dust flying in this shot--something that is commonplace throughout any portion of the ballpark still under construction. As any portion of the park is completed--a cleaning crew is sent in to scrub down that area. What a chore that must be!)
Of course The Media will definitely be using all three of those people mover choices to reach their perch in the sky. The Press Box is the tallest point of New Nationals Park.



Inside The Press Box--Journalist Rows & Broadcast Booths




For the most part--that concludes The Nats320 Detail Look Of New Nationals Park. The African Queen and I believe the ballpark is shaping up very nicely. We like the exterior monument look--and feel the compact intimacy bodes well for Our New South Capitol Street Stadium. Most enjoyable for us this past Friday (other than sitting in our seats)--were those tiny additions that clearly state--some thought was put into the interior design. Such as: Louisville Slugger Bat Bar Consoles, Vintage Style Information Signs, a re-creation of The Only Washington DC World Series Championship Game Scoreboard, The Curly "W" Blue Gates, & Plexiglass instead of railings in the main seating bowl. Sohna especially likes the antique light fixtures in the clubs.
And remember, over time--all concourse columns will have mural renditions of Washington Baseball Greats (like that of Walter Johnson shown a few months ago). A Washington Baseball Hall of Fame, The Statues of Johnson, Josh Gibson and Frank Howard--along with a Special Baseball Themed Hanging Sculpture--are also coming--over time. Those little things that mean a lot. You can never be different, and stand out--unless you move in a bolder direction. New Nationals Park is UNIQUE. What other park has Cherry Trees that may blossom the first week of every season? No other venue has The U.S. Capitol within eyesight of their facility. At night, that shot is going to look great!!

For over two hours, Chrsytal Stowe--Director of Community Affairs and Business Development for Smoot Construction--kindly walked us throughout every area of the park we asked. Unfortunately, we did not have the time visit The Centerfield Restaurant (under heavy construction), the kids area, nor the spots where The Cherry Trees will be planted, but that's fine--because Chrystal has promised Sohna and I that--just before The Smoot-Clark-Hunt Construction Team hands over the keys for that first game--all three of us will get together again for a FINAL WALK THROUGH. At that point--we should all get a nice feel on what to expect on Opening Night--2008.

But before concluding--here are a few more odds & ends--extra pictures that we wanted to share--but had no place elsewhere in the posts.
Grand Staircase Entrance off Potomac Avenue--shot taken from Club Level Walkout
Looking West toward South Capitol--at Our Washington Nationals New Office Building (March 15th is scheduled for some occupancy there--but not all)
Centerfield Restaurant & Batters Eye Background
Looking south from Half Street & N toward Centerfield Restaurant--Main Gate Entrance for Navy Yard Metro Patrons
And finally--as Sohna and I were leaving New Nationals Park this past Friday at the conclusion of our tour--we ran into Ronnie Strompf (Vice-President Clark Construction), whom--along with Matt Haas (Project Manager Clark Construction) has steered this massive build out through 22 fast moving months. A pace not many thought was possible. As we chatted, I asked Ronnie if this final 7 week push before Opening Night will take its toll. His response:
"It doesn't matter, even if we had three additional months on our side. In every construction project, no matter how much time you have--the final push to the wire is always hectic. It never changes, never does. We are going to make it. That, I have no doubt."

Ronnie Strompf (on Ryan Zimmerman's right in this photo with Matt Haas) says building New Nationals Park is a lot like giving birth to a 100 Ton Elephant. "The day that baby is born--will be one fine day in my life (laughing all the time)." Ronnie has always told me that come Opening Night he plans on sitting in a seat, drinking a cold beer while watching Our Washington Nationals play their very first game on South Capitol Street. A proud night he knows will be dear to his heart.


You can bet--Sohna and I will be enjoying Our New Seats as well in The Stars & Stripes Club.

The African Queen and I hope you enjoyed a more detailed tour of the ever evolving New Nationals Park. We tried to remember everything fans might be interested in seeing. Hopefully, our effort was not in vain.

PS--Since I know someone is going to ask this question. The Visitors Clubhouse is not as large as Our Washington Nationals Clubhouse and does not include as many amenities. The Umpires Room is actually on the third base side as well. We attempted to visit that part--but construction restraints would not allow. There is a tunnel that leads from The Nats Indoor Batting Cages to The Visitors Clubhouse. So, opponents can also swing away there.