Our Conversation With Stan Kasten (The Final Words)

After discussing Our Washington Nationals with Team President Stan Kasten for nearly 35 minutes in his office, Sohna and I turned our attention to off the field questions. New Nationals Park, Fan Experience, Concessions--items for discussion not related directly to the product on the field.

With that, here we go with The Finals Words as Our Conversation With Stan Kasten concludes.

Now, let’s switch to off the field stuff. (SBF)

Other than the re-building process with the new ballpark, what are you looking to improve on? (The African Queen)

“There is always stuff, but as I have said maybe to you guys before, and others before, there is stuff about the ballpark that remains unfinished and needs to be improved. But, I am not going to tell you guys about it. If you haven’t noticed, I am not going to point them out for you. And the same goes with stuff surrounding the team. There are a lot of things we have to work on. There are a lot of things we need to improve and we plan to do it all. But it’s not something I am comfortable talking about publicly. I just want to do it. And the results will always be the final proof we got things done or didn’t get things done.”

The naming rights issue. Is this the last year the ballpark will be called Nationals Park? (The African Queen)

“I can’t tell you that for sure. We continue to have talks. We feel like we are not in a rush. It could be next year, the year after—three years. We really are not in a rush. We want to get it right. As you know, at this ballpark, we feel like getting our sponsors involved in an interactive way—whether it’s the Sony PlayStation Area, or The Miller Scoreboard Walk, or The PNC Diamond Club or The Lexus Presidents Club. We really feel like involving them. Some of our main real estate we have not given away—like the (centerfield) plaza. Or The Home Run Extravaganza that we still have planned. Or the different areas, like The Red Loft, The Red Porch—we still have big stuff out here that we held back—pending the right fit.”

Is there any chance the stadium remains Nationals Park? I like the name. (The African Queen)

“I don’t think there is a chance that it remains named that way permanently.”

“Home Run Extravaganza? What is that? (SBF)

“It’s just a concept, some Whiz!! Bang!! Things, which happens after home runs. It’s just one of 100 things on a drawing board of possibilities we have talked about with different sponsors. Some sponsors want to come to us. They say we would like to do this after a Home Run and attach our name to it. But, it takes many different forms. That’s just one thing on a menu of many possibilities.”

How about the ball that was originally in the designs above the Red Porch? (The African Queen)

“That is real estate which is still available for the right thing. At the end of the day, we thought let’s not put a ball there. We have toyed with a number of iterations of what kind of ball, maybe video—we just don’t know. But, there was an awful lot to get done by Opening Day ’08 and we now have many things we still plan to do for ’09.”

You mentioned to me at one time The Red Loft Bar would be expanded? (SBF)

“We did. We took out one row of seats. The back row of the seats in front, which really opened up the room there. At the same time, we then built the Miller Scoreboard Bar, which is great fun and on a Friday Night especially—which we have themed out. We do have one fun special event planned there for September. We are planning on a Speed Dating Event. (Sohna and I chuckling) Yeah, seriously. We want the park to be fun and we think that is kind of a fun thing in keeping with the character of what fans are experiencing up there. So, we are always going to be trying fun things like that.”

What the latest on the statues? (SBF)

“My understanding is that they will be in for Opening Day 2009. I have not heard anything different.”

There has been this rumor that Centerplate might be sold—possibly to Aramark—can you comment on this? (SBF)

“There is nothing I can tell you because there is nothing I really know. They are a public company and they are in their own discussions. I don’t have any more information on it, but it is a situation I am watching closely, obviously. And I am talking to other teams to see what they are experiencing—other Centerplate Clients. So, we are just watching and preparing for any eventuality.”

I am just concerned about Aramark and their reputation from RFK? (SBF)

“Well, there are many different ways to do it. I don’t know if Aramark gets it or another company gets it—if they are sold at all. I just don’t know. But, we are going to insist that on what we always insist on here. We are going to insist on top quality. Service is another important thing to me—which has improved over the season, although, it is still not where it has to be. We are going to continue to work on that—whoever the concessionaire is.”

The service at The Nats Dogs Stands can be really trying on patience. (SBF)

“Yes, I agree with you on that. It’s been a yearlong challenge. I know it is better. I know it has improved, but not yet where we want it. Food Choices, I think we have more variety here than any park I have ever been to.”

Will the Nats Express continue to operate next year? (The African Queen)

“That is our expectation to use RFK. I think so, nothing is finalized yet, but that’s our hope and our expectation.” (Will it still be free? TAQ) As far as I know—yes. But that has not been finalized yet. We don’t own the land, but that’s how we are thinking.”

Is there more you can do for season ticket holders? Some claim you are not doing enough? (The African Queen)

“I don’t know what their expectations are. We need to keep working on the stadium. We need to keep working on our service. We need to keep working on our product. All of those things are what fans deserve. We will keep trying to do all we can.”

There were some online complaining after the Weekender Plan came out that included a Diamond Club Ticket for the last home game this season. These folks claiming something like this should have been offered to Season Ticket Holders. (SBF)

“There weren’t many. There will always be someone who has a problem with everything we do. I think the plan we have offered is very popular and there have been next to no complaints about it.”

Uniform Changes for next year? (SBF)

“I am not aware of any.”

I understand there are two? Like the Red “DC” Jersey is being replaced by a Curly “W” one and a possible Blue Jersey with some stars and patriotic trim--stuff like that. (SBF)

“Yes, some tweaks. I honestly don’t remember what we decided. I would call them tweaks, I would not call them major changes. I know that you follow this stuff , religiously, (Yes, he does—The African Queen) and would consider this all big and major. I just don’t remember. I would call them tweaks. We are basically still having our basic uniform.”

We’ve noticed there is not a lot of advertising around the park? Are not as many businesses interested in The Nationals? (The African Queen)

“What do you mean not a lot of advertising? In the ballpark? (Yeah—TAQ). With our LED Ring and our major scoreboard and our concourse signs—holy smokes!!—I think most people say we have too much advertising. You think we don’t have enough, BLESS YOU!! Because I am always a fan of getting even more in.

I think what she is referring to are the concrete overhangs of each seating level where the only advertisings are The Lerner owned facilities and the garage drapings that are not filled. (SBF)

“We are trying not to trash the place up with billboards. (I agree with that—TAQ). Interesting, I have never had a fan say we need more billboards (chuckling). I think we are exactly where we need to be the advertising in the park. This year, we have relationships with 125 sponsors covering many different things. Some have signage and some don’t. But, we have had a really, really, healthy year on advertising and sponsorship. Very healthy.”

How is that Red Tent on top of Garage B working out? (The African Queen)

“It’s a group party thing and it’s gotten a lot of use. (It’s a fun place before a game—TAQ). Yes, it’s a fun place and next year, now since we will have it full time—we are going to be able to program it all winter. We were never sure with construction issues and all that—we were never sure what we were going to do there this year. We did not get it until mid-season, but now since we have it and know what we have—know how well it works—it’s going to get a heck of a lot more use next year. And maybe we will use it into the game. This year, with very few exceptions, we have cut it off at the start of each game. This past weekend, we let it go until 2PM (for Sunday’s Game). Its kind of fun seeing the Wrigley (Field) type view of people hanging out and watching the game. We will probably do more of that now.”

“This is a tight footprint, I have told you this before, where the ballpark is. We don’t have a lot of extra space. We struggled and struggled at first where we were going to have the tent. (At the first Ladies Night of 2008 it was outside the First Base Gate at the corner of Potomac & 1st Street, SE). Finally, when we got that space (Garage B) it’s been a huge plus for us and the fans.”

There are a lot of odd unused spaces throughout the ballpark—especially on club level where we have always felt you could put chairs, tables, etc to add to the stadium. (The African Queen)

“These are among the things that are still getting done. We put some drink rails out two weeks ago. The drink rails themselves work fine, but they were put in the wrong place. At least we have model of drink rails that we know will work. So, we are going to put a lot more of them and we hope to have them everywhere. Stand up drink rails behind the seats.”

Like at Citizens Bank Park? They have in Philadelphia these stand up tables that are directly hanging on the backside of the railings for the last row of seats on their concourse. A ledge, if you will, that allows you to stand, eat your food or drink and not miss any of the game. (SBF)

“Yes, that is what I am taking about. We have started to do just that and there is more of that, that needs to happen. We’ve started relocating, finally, more TV’s into the areas that didn’t have them. That’s taken until just this week—in some cases. We’ve been able to reconfigure, check it out next home stand, the portable (concessions) from home plate to the left field foul pole in a more functionable way. These are the types of things you learn as you go along. We have issues with some of them getting power, water by moving some of these stands, but we are getting it done. Now, that’s not something I need to tell you, or anyone, ahead of time—but these are the things we notice all the time. The drink rails, the TV’s, the portables. We are still doing it. We just don’t talk about the need for it.”

When you walk now from 1st base to Centerfield along the main concourse there are these terrific HDTV Screens hanging under the overhang for those sitting in those sections. They stand out. (SBF)

“Yes, and some of those, frankly, are not well located. They need to be in other places. We’ve moved some of them beyond the right field fence. Those sections just got TV’s this week—under the scoreboard. They needed them. But, we have more that are needed in other places.”

I got a MASN question. When Belliard hit that fabulous game winning home run off The Orioles to win the game in the last At-Bat, we were surprised to see after the game, the post game show be The Orioles Post Game Show and The Orioles Broadcasters decrying the loss—all over Nationals Park. We didn’t think that was right. (SBF)

“I think that was just an anomaly. (MASN was sharing broadcasting crews all weekend since they televise both teams). It was just the luck of the draw.”

I know it’s just a business deal that you had no control over. But can you do anything about MASN? (SBF)

“No.”

Will you be able to solve your battle over the rent with The District of Columbia? (SBF)

“Yes, I am confident that is going to be resolved in the very near future. There is nothing I can really say about it other than it’s obviously going to get resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.”

Will there be a Winter Fanfest during this coming off-season? (SBF)

“Yes, it is going to happen, details to come.”

Speaking of money—will ticket prices change next year? (The African Queen)

“Nothing has been set yet.”

With that final answer, Our Conversation With Stan Kasten came to an end. For nearly one hour, Our Team President was generous enough to give Sohna and I some personal time to discuss the many topics on our mind, concerning Our Washington Nationals. It is important to note that Mr. Kasten is willing to speak with us, as fans, about our concerns and questions. He fully understands Fans may well have different concerns and desires. Issues, The Main Stream Media sometimes has little interest in. Thankfully, Mr. Kasten is willing to explore diverse options.

That's always a good thing--for Fans of Our Washington Nationals. Mr. Kasten is willing to talk.