Few things will dampen the enthusiasm of Washingtonbaseball fans enjoying their first pennant race in more than 50 years than getting stranded at the ballpark in the middle of the night. But that’s what happened to scores of Nationals’ fans who stayed to watch their home team beat the Atlanta Braves in a nail-biting 13 innings last week.
The game had already been delayed almost a hour due to rain, and the Nats warned fans that the subway system would be shutting down for the night. But the announcement forced fans who had already spent a lot of money on some of the most expensive tickets in Major League Baseball to choose between leaving a pivotal game early or being stranded — a choice no loyal Nats fan should have to make.
Unlike the Capitals and Redskins, the Nationals did not have an agreement in place with Metro to keep the subway system open and running past midnight on weekday nights in the event of extra innings. Such an agreement would have required the team to put down a deposit and pick up the $29,500-an-hour tab. It’s unconscionable that the Nats’ well-heeled owners are balking at this relatively minor expense.
The D.C. government not only built the $700 million stadium, it also paid the overtime Metro bill for several years while the Nats struggled to attract fans. When the city warned the team last year that it would no longer pick up the tab for late-night Metro service, that’s when the Nationals should have stepped up to the plate and signed its own late-night agreement with Metro.
Even before the Nats had any chances of making the playoffs, both the team and city officials touted the close proximity of the Navy Yard station to urge baseball fans to take transit to the games. Now, with eight more weeknight games scheduled in September and October, and the team expected to make the National League playoffs, the Nats’ decision to play chicken with Metro is even more penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Other big league teams in D.C. did the right thing and ponied up for extended Metro service when needed. Their willingness to spend money to ensure their fans’ safety and convenience after games is part of the reciprocal loyalty that Washington fans should expect from the teams they support. It’s time the Nats do likewise. No excuses.
