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Washington Nationals to face New York Mets during opening week at Nationals Park

The 2014 NL East Champion Washington Nationals will celebrate Opening Day and the start of their 10-Year Anniversary season on Monday, April 6 when the team hosts the New York Mets at 4:05 p.m. at Nationals Park. The first 25,000 fans to enter the ballpark through ALL GATES will receive a 10th Anniversary Opening Day Commemorative Collectors Tin.

Monday, april 6

OPENING DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Emceed by Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster and CBS News Special Correspondent James Brown, the Opening Day pregame ceremony will include:

  • Ceremonial first pitch thrown by MLB Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr.
  • Color Guard by the United States Coast Guard Color Guard with United States Navy Drummers
  • National Anthem performed by United States Army Chorus Quartet with a flyover by The United States Navy's Fighting Blacklions of Strike Fighter Squadron 213 from Naval Air Station Oceana
  • Award presentations including the Baseball Writers' Association of America 2014 Manager of the Year Award presented to Matt Williams and 2014 Silver Slugger Awards presented to Anthony Rendon and Ian Desmond
  • Lineup card delivery by a 10-Year Season Plan Holder
  • Starting Lineup Tunnel featuring 10-Year Season Plan Holders
  • Game ball delivery by Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey, Deputy Commandant Plans, Polices, and Operations, United States Marine Corps
  • God Bless America performed by Senior Master Sergeant Ryan Carson, United States Air Force Band, Max Impact


OPENING DAY FAN PROMOTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

  • The first 25,000 fans to enter the ballpark through ALL GATES will receive an Opening Day Commemorative Collectors Tin. Tin is the traditional 10 year anniversary gift and each tin has been created to fit all six 10-Year Tuesday items.
  • The Nationals drumline will perform in Center Field Plaza.
  • The Family Picnic Area will feature caricature artists, face painters and a balloon artist.
  • Scott's New Band will perform at the Miller Lite Scoreboard Walk.
     

TICKETS

Fans can still obtain advance tickets for Opening Day by purchasing a NATS PLUS Membership at nationals.com/natsplus. Standing Room Only tickets are extremely limited and will intermittently be made available for $35 at nationals.com/tickets. Only two Standing Room Only tickets per customer. In addition, limited traditional seating and approximately 400 Grandstand seats will be available for $15 at the Main Box Office starting at 1:30 p.m. on the day of the game. Only one ticket per customer for Grandstand Seating is allowed and the customer must be present at the time of purchase. Fans can still purchase tickets to games on Wednesday and Thursday by calling 202.675.NATS(6287) or visiting nationals.com/tickets.

Wednesday, april 8

  • ALL FANS will receive a Rally Towel presented by Norfolk Southern.

GETTING TO THE BALLPARK

Parking options for Nationals fans start at $10 and are available online at nationals.com/parking. Fans are

encouraged to purchase parking in advance to ensure a space in their desired zone.

Other transportation options include:

  • Metro - Nationals Park is located at the Navy Yard-Ballpark station (Half Street exit) on Metro's Green Line and is also accessible by the Capitol South station on Metro's Blue and Orange Lines
  • Metrobus - Six Metrobus routes serve stops near the ballpark
  • DC Circulator Bus - Runs every 10 minutes from Union Station to the ballpark
  • Potomac Riverboat Company - Guests traveling from Alexandria, Va., can take the water taxi service which departs approximately one hour prior to the first pitch
  • Fans are also encouraged to use the bicycle valet (located on First Street SE near N Street SE) and bike racks around the ballpark
  • More details for transportation options can be found at nationals.com/waytogo

Fans should be aware that there are numerous new construction projects underway in the area surrounding the ballpark. Both traffic and pedestrian patterns may shift from game to game, depending on construction activity. Please be mindful of signage and directions given by public safety officers. 

SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS & GATE INFO

Due to the MLB mandated use of metal detectors, fans are encouraged to allow plenty of extra time when getting to their seats. All guests must pass through a form of metal detection to enter the ballpark. Guests who don't wish to walk through a metal detector will have the option of being screened with a handheld metal detector.

Prior to entering the ballpark, guests will first have their bags checked. As in past seasons, all bags are subject to search and bags larger than 16"x16"x8" will not be permitted inside. Guests will then walk through a metal detector and if the device detects metal on a guest, there will be a secondary screening with a handheld device. After clearing the bag check and metal detector, guests will then scan their ticket at a turnstile to enter the ballpark.

Gates will open at 1:30 p.m. to allow fans more time to enjoy the Opening Day festivities. Due to an anticipated sellout crowd, fans are encouraged to enter through the gate closest to their seating area to avoid congestion at the Center Field Gate.

Fans traveling to the ballpark should be aware that there are numerous new construction projects underway in the surrounding area. There are no road closures, however, two pedestrian sidewalks are closed - the north side of the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and I Street SE and the corner of First Street SE and N Street. To ensure safe crossings, please be mindful of signage and directions given by public safety officers.  

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