March 2008
                                          
DC Sports and Entertainment Commission Hits One Out of the Park!
Nationals Park is officially ready for baseball after only 22 months of construction. Ballpark is one of the quickest to open in all Major Leagues

(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission (DCSEC) announced today that the District’s new, spectacular, state-of-the-art ballpark is officially ready for baseball after only 22 months of construction.  A “design-build” project, Nationals Park is one of the quickest-to-open ballparks in all Major Leagues as construction began before the entire design was complete.  The new home for the Washington Nationals will be an important and exciting new development for the city and Greater Washington area. 

“Completing a job of this magnitude creates a great sense of civic pride.  We appreciate the contributions made by everyone involved, both public and private,” remarked Matthew D. Cutts, DC Sports and Entertainment Board Chairman.

The 41,888 seat stadium is equipped with world-class facilities, state-of-the-art video and audio technology, including a 4,500-square foot high-definition scoreboard, the largest in Major League Baseball history, great sightlines from all seats, first class eating establishments, an interactive kids’ area, spacious concourses and a variety of other amenities to meet every fan base.

At today’s news conference, the Mayor and DCSEC officials were joined by City Council members, Washington Nationals Team President Stan Kasten, representatives from HOK/Devrouax and Purnell, the ballpark’s architects and Clark/Hunt/Smoot, the ballpark’s contractor.

 “We applaud all of the construction workers and professionals who had a role in bringing this project to fruition,” said DCSEC CEO Gregory A. O’Dell. “And this monumental achievement would not been done without dedicated team work.  Now the District has a first-class baseball stadium for fans to enjoy for generations to come.”

The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission and Clark/Hunt/Smoot achieved every construction milestone from setting the last piece of steel, laying of the sod to planting the cherry blossom trees.  Additionally, the team achieved unprecedented participation by District businesses and residents in constructing the ballpark.  More than 800 District residents and 88 Local, Small, Disadvantaged Businesses (LSDBE) built the ballpark.

Tomorrow, the Washington Nationals will honor District officials and ballpark construction workers at a special “Sneak peek” season ticker holder and invitation-only exhibition between the Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles in the first-ever Major League Baseball game played at Nationals Park.

Nationals’ Season Ticket Holders were given complimentary tickets as part of their season ticket packages and the opportunity to preview Nationals Park and the 2008 Washington Nationals prior to the next evening’s Home Opener.  Mayor Fenty and City Council Members received tickets for distribution for constituents and others. The team also distributed tickets to employees who worked on the ballpark project and youth recreation groups. Additionally, an allotment of tickets was made available for residents in nearby SE/SW who are the team’s new neighbors. All distributed tickets have no face value and cannot be sold.

Nationals Park will open to fans three hours before the first pitch, at 3:00pm. The Nats Express, the free shuttle for fans who choose to park for free at RFK Stadium, will depart from RFK beginning at 3:00pm and run continuously until one and a half hours after the final out. Fans will have the opportunity to view Nationals Batting Practice at 3:30pm along with a host of other pre-game festivities.

Former Washington Senators PA announcers Charlie Brotman and Phil Hochberg will serve as the evening’s pre-game emcees. At approximately 5:30pm,  Kasten will kick off the ceremonies with a welcome to the crowd.  Following his remarks, DCSEC Chairman Cutts and City Council Chairman Vincent Gray will address the fans. Mayor Fenty will close out remarks and lead District and team officials into the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony behind Home Plate. The U.S. Navy Color Guard will then present the colors, prior to the performance of the National Anthem by Navy Chief Musician Yolanda Pelzer. The umpires will receive the line-up card from City Council Chairman Gray and DCSEC Chairman Cutts will start the game by announcing “Washington…Let’s Play Ball!”

Sunday, The Washington Nationals will host the Atlanta Braves at 8:15 pm in the Inaugural Game.  The Nationals open the 2008 Major League Baseball season with this true “home opener,” which will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.  Nationals Park gates will open four and a half hours prior to the first pitch at 3:30 pm.