If You Build It, They Will Complain

As the "distinctly Washington home for the national pastime" nears completion, a few Nationals fans turn into cynics upon finding out what they'll have to spend at the ballpark in order to enjoy the other national pastime: eating, naturally.

Nationals Park may be distinctly D.C., but the food and drink prices -- "$8 for a cheese pizza, $6.50 for Italian sausage, $9.50 for chicken tenders, $10 for nachos, $8 for tacos, $4.75 for popcorn, $4 for peanuts, $4 for bottle water, and $4.50 and $5.50 for sodas" -- are pretty much the stadium standard (high).

Here's what the fans had to say in the comments:

mi-ti-bear: The food prices are a joke. I am reminded of why I no longer attend many pro sports. I haven't been to Camden Yards in years and just gave up my Skins season tickets....I was excited about the Nats and the new park but not sure I'll go. Maybe one game out of curiosity....I won't give anyone $4 for a bottle of water unless they have a gun.

jmdzb: once i paid ten $$$ for chicken tenders and fries at a redskins game and i hated myself afterwards. what a waste, never again!!!!!!!!!!

patrickgama7: Why does a beer have to cost $7.50? That seems ridiculous.

It would be a little bit ridiculous to buy a beer for $7.50 if you're sitting in one of those $5 seats. You're not spending that much in total, but should beer really be worth more than baseball? Hmm...maybe instead of ticket scalpers, there should be beer scalpers. I know, I know; terrible idea. ... Or is it?

Of course, prices aren't the only thing bringing out the critics:

Rowyourboat: ATTENTION ALL DISTRICT RESIDENTS: MAYOR FENTY AND JACK EVANS HAVE EXCLUSIVE USE OF A SKY BOX. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND ANY OF THE GAMES, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. SAME GOES FOR VERIZON CENTER.

And then there's that whole getting to the game issue:

gkiltz: Keep in mind, most games start at 7:10pm, Most rush hours don't really start to unwind until after 6! See the problem? Metro needs to be ONLY ONE PIECE of the solution.!

Anyone have another "piece of the solution" for making it to the ballpark on time during rush hour? I can't think of a better method of transportation than Metro.*

I should also mention that there is ONE positive comment in the collection from docvader, who seems so blissfully unaware of all that negativity:

docvader76: HOORAY FOR GREEN LINE!!!!!! GO NATS!!!!!!

* Well, the Marty McFly method did cross my mind for a second.

By Lindsay Applebaum |  March 24, 2008; 6:00 AM ET  | Category:  Nationals
Previous: MMA Fans Foaming at the Mouth Over Column | Next: Boswell Sides With Georgetown, Strikes a Nerve

The comments to this entry are closed.