Washington Nationals: NatsTown In Glimpses.

I know it isn’t worth two cents but I have seen the eb and flow of caring in this area. When the Capitals started winning walk-up tickets were still avaliable, and when the Wizards started losing those games were pitifully attended. The market in DC is basically a market that follows what they are told to follow nationally. Strasburg was hyped on ESPN so people in DC showed up. People here are also very cynical and very gulible and always believe that everything is better somewhere else.

I have heard so many laminates from cynical hipsters at sporting events how “this wouldn’t happen in LA or Chicago.” I have been to those two cities and I follow baseball in general and some of those things people complain about do happen in those cities. It is just people here are told from the mainstream media what to think. When the team starts winning people won’t go right away, or maybe they will because they missed the ground floor when the Caps took off recently.

The park on the water will be open for next season, and hopefully a few more bars and restaurants as well. If they ever get rid of the sand and gravel company and build some things along the water they can really build a great atmosphere around the stadium.

This town has so many transient workers, whether they’re here for months at a time or several years, It surprises me that the Nats can build at all. I say build it and they will come…

DC fans make me le sigh

is a lot better than 9,000 fans per game, or 8,000 fans. Heck, a ball club that won 83 games in 2002 only averaged 10,000 per game in Montreal, and just 12,000 a year later spitting time in Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Dead last in attendance since forever, seemed to be Montreal’s motto.

If the Nats can average 24,500 per game with a losing club, I’d like to see the attendance numbers (in this new stadium) for a team that finishes above .500. At the very least, at least the franchise can generate income by selling tickets to rival fans. In Montreal, no one wanted to go watch the games.

Last week, a midweek series against Atlanta drew 40,043, 24,263, and 30,263. Granted, one of those nights was a Strasburg-scheduled night, but on the other hand it was against a team that could not try to fill the stands with their own fans. That attendance compares favorably with just about everywhere else in the majors for a Tuesday-Thursday series. Of course, Philly, NY, LAD, the Cubs, etc. expect to draw more fans, but I don’t think anyone would complain about a last-place club drawing over 95,000 fans to a mid-week series.

To ensure continued success, I believe they now need to secure the services of a 40-HR, 100-RBI, 100 Run-type first baseman. I wonder where they can get someone like that….?

It [the team] is assembling some pieces, and we can see it starting to come together. They [the fans] are starting to show up, too (or show up again after the pain of 2008-9).

Good article Pat…..this is somewhat in line with what I wrote recently concerning how much the Nationals are loved and embraced in DC. I whine a lot about lack of fan support, because it is embarrasing to me….a fan who dearly loves our Washington Nationals. To steal a quote from the new Wizards owner (concerning the Wizards), I feel that the Washington Nationals are a SLEEPING GIANT in MLB; one of the richest markets, with one of the richest owners in MLB. When this team starts contending, I do not think it is out of the question for the Nationals to become a team willing to spend to keep winning….much like the Yankees….and Nats Park will rock with rabid Nationals fans. I do not have the proof, but right now I also think that one of the issues with attendance is that the Nationals have some of the highest priced tickets in MLB….has to be top 5; maybe one of our stat-geeks can figure that one out. BTW…when I say stat-geek, I mean that with the highest regard and respect, and with the highest compliment; what would we do without you! lol You are much admired!

I was at the first game of that philly series and though it shames me to see so many Philly fans it was clear to me that they were outnumbered by nats fans 3-1. As its been said before, give it time. Now if we could just do something about that damn mascot.

it’s taken years for Milwaukee to build up a respectable fan base but it’s happened. There’s more of them out in force at Miller Park when the Cubs play there, so the place doesn’t look as much like “Wrigley North” as it used to. Plus, small but noisy bands of Brewer fans come down to Wrigley more often (what they lack in numbers they make up in volume).

I think DC will learn to support their team. I think they do better than in terms of turnout than the Florida Marlins do at times.