As Washington, DC fully reopens, Nationals Park, the home stadium of the Washington Nationals, will also resume operations at full capacity starting Thursday.
Following a year of restricted attendance caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nats Park will once again experience a full-house crowd.
With mass vaccinations now in progress, sports venues across the US are gradually reverting to their pre-pandemic state, marking another significant stride towards normalcy following the halt caused by the coronavirus in early 2020.
What awaits you at Nationals Park? As the MLB stadium reopens its doors to fans, what notable changes can be experienced in a post-coronavirus era? How have safety measures been implemented?
Although a comprehensive list of health and safety measures is available on the Nationals website, let’s provide an overview by discussing some key points.
Details on Nationals Park at full capacity
You can now purchase single-game Nationals tickets for the rest of the season as social-distancing restrictions have been lifted. All seating sections are open for purchase.
Individuals who have completed their vaccination are not required to wear masks at the ballpark. However, individuals who have not been vaccinated must continue to wear an approved face covering, except when actively eating or drinking at their seat.
The gates at the ballpark open two hours before the first pitch, while parking garages open 2 1/2 hours before the game starts. Fans are required to enter and exit Nationals Parks through the designated gate location indicated on their ticket, which is color-coded.
Backpacks are prohibited within the stadium premises. Nonetheless, other bags are allowed as long as their dimensions do not exceed 16″ x 16″ x 8″. However, diaper bags and medically necessary bags are exempt from these size restrictions.
Hand sanitizer stations are readily available for fans all over the ballpark. Moreover, the Nationals front office has put in place a thorough cleaning plan that specifically targets frequently touched areas.
Special packaging for concessions will no longer be provided, and water fountains and condiment stations are now available once more.
Cash will not be accepted at the Nationals’ stadium, but credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and eCash can be used for transactions at all points of sale.
Although most promotions, such as giveaways and Kids Run the Bases days, are making a comeback, guests are still not allowed to request autographs from players.
Are the Nationals contenders in 2021?
Baseball fans can enjoy watching the 2019 World Series champions without straining their wallets, as Nats tickets start at an affordable $13.
However, what should you anticipate from the team during your presence? At BetMGM, which secured a sole sportsbook partnership with the Washington Nationals in the past year, the team is considered unlikely to succeed.
As they approached Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants at 7:05 p.m., the Nationals managed to escape the confines of last place. Holding a 25-33 record, they currently stand in fourth position in the NL East, trailing the first-place team by a margin of seven games.
Although the current sports betting odds may suggest otherwise, they still have a long way to go before catching up with the first-place New York Mets. However, considering there are still almost four months of the season remaining, they are far from being out of the competition.
BetMGM offers odds of +6600 for Washington to win the 2021 World Series. Placing a $10 bet at these odds would result in a $660 profit if Washington successfully secures another victory in the Fall Classic.
The Nats have odds of +3500 to win a National League pennant, and they are also +2200 to emerge as the champions of the NL East.
A large gathering of people might provide the team with the necessary momentum.
“Seeing our fans again has us incredibly thrilled,” expressed Nationals manager Dave Martinez on Wednesday. “Our hope is for a full house tomorrow, creating an electric atmosphere.”
“The boys are discussing it, and our excitement grows as it promises to bring a semblance of normalcy to our home.”
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