Baseball in the Nation's Capital (Part I)

Everyone knows how Washingtonians feel about their football franchise, but what about baseball?  It often seems that DC and baseball go together like socks and sandals... there's no real reason that it can't work, but let's face it, it looks and feels a awkward.  Let me show you what I mean:  if you're a baseball fan living in Boston, you almost certainly root for the Red Sox; if you're a baseball fan and a long-time resident of St. Louis, you probably cheer on the Cardinals; and if you're a baseball fan in the DC area, you are most likely an enthusiastic supporter of the Washington Nationals... or the New York Mets... or the Atlanta Braves... or the Philadelphia Phillies... or the Baltimore Orioles... or (and so on).  To understand how the District got itself into this predicament, a brief history lesson is required.  That lesson is coming in Part II of this post.  In Part I, we'll focus on the positive presence of baseball in DC culture - despite its awkwardness.


Residents of the nation's capital love 1) being outdoors, 2) social networking, and 3) excuses to consume beer.  In baseball (and its close cousins, softball and kickball) they find a sport that can easily be adapted to achieve all three.  On summer evenings, you can hardly walk more than a few feet without passing someone wearing a t-shirt from a recreational league of some sort.  After all, baseball is a sport with sneaky political undertones and DC is a town known for its politics.  Perhaps that's why the Members of the House of Representatives come together once a year to settle their differences on the baseball diamond - Democrats vs Republicans (fans of the Dems sit to the left of the infield, while GOP supporters sit to the right).

You can check it out for yourself.  The 2014 Congressional Baseball Game will take place the evening of June 25 at Nationals Park (all proceeds go to charity).   It's one of several annual baseball-related events you can attend in, and around, the capital city.  For example, every spring, you can pick the brain of ESPN analyst Tim Kurkjian during Baseball Night at the Hard Times Cafe in Bethesda.  Tim, a native Bethesdian and University of Maryland grad, generously answers questions from the sports fans in attendance.  This year, he is scheduled to appear on the evening of April 15.  Call the establishment as the date gets closer for the exact times.  If he has copies of his book for sale, I recommend purchasing it.

There's also one night a year when the good people at Nationals Park allow fans onto the outfield grass.  The "Bring Your Own"-style picnic event, known as Opera in the Outfield, is organized in collaboration with the Kennedy Center.  Picnic goers are treated to a live broadcast of a full opera, shown on the stadium's main scoreboard.  In 2014, the event will take place in May and feature a simulcast of The Magic Flute.   Bring your camera to get photos of yourself flagging down imaginary fly balls.  Check back with Kennedy Center's website for details as they develop.

While you're online, put an internet bookmark on the events page of the Anacostia Community Museum, where they occasionally host baseball-themed lectures to supplement their permanent exhibit on Negro Leagues baseball in Washington.   Or stop by the museum whenever to see a series of photos of the Grays, who split their home games between Washington, DC and Homestead, Pennsylvania in the 1940s.  Then take the Green line up to Howard University Hospital, former site of Griffith Stadium, where the Grays and several other teams (including the original Washington Nationals) played.  Just down the hallway from the main entrance, you'll find a small tribute to the park, including a home plate and several oversized photos.  Some cultural heritage signs outside the hospital tell the ballpark's story.

Don't let your baseball adventures stop there. You can also drive up to the Rockville Union Cemetery in Rockville, Maryland to visit the grave of Walter "Big Train" Johnson (1887 - 1946).  Johnson was a member of the Hall of Fame's inaugural class (1936) and arguably the best pitcher of his era (if not all time).  While you're out there, stop by Walter Johnson High School to see the large plaque engraved with his image and career statistics.  If art is your thing, check out the multi-sculpture installment Full Count, located near the intersection of Virginia Ave and 20th Street.  The bronze set includes a larger-than-life pitcher staring down a batter, while the umpire and catcher, crouched into position, await the offering.  There are baseball card shows held regularly at the Crowne Plaza in Tysons Corner, Virginia.   For Minor League action, the area boasts two teams:  the Potomac Nationals and the Bowie Baysox.

Oh yeah, and you can also attend a Washington Nationals game!  The 2014 team is full of talented players, the stadium is LEED Silver Certified (with many environmentally-conscious features), and the selection of food is better than you'll find at most ballparks.  It's the perfect excuse for some outdoor social networking, while consuming beer.

To see some of my own DC baseball adventures, visit my Baseball in DC photo album.

For a list of 2014 baseball-related events in the DC area, click here (check back for updates).


Photos: 1) The 2011 Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park; 2) Nancy Pelosi calls the shot from behind home plate; 3) the author with Tim Kurkjian; 4) the author in the middle of the outfield at Nationals Park; 5) a marker indicates the former location of home plate at Griffith Stadium;  6) the plaque outside of Walter Johnson H.S.