Natitude

We went to a Nats game Friday night with friends who had some pretty sweet tickets. We sat 22 rows up from third base, the closest view I had ever had. Things didn’t feel quite normal, of course, since they are only seating 25% of the stadium’s capacity, and you have to remain masked unless “actively eating or drinking.”

We took a stroll around the stadium at one point, and plenty of refreshments stands and spirit wear shops were open, but only a few clumps of people waited in line here and there. I was in disbelief that we had actually done an entire lap because it was so quick – no throngs to weave through.

When it was time for the presidents’ race, they played a pre-recorded bicycle/ footrace that took place outside the stadium. It was a little disappointing, but no biggie.

After nine innings, the scoreboard displayed two rows of straight zeros. At the top of the 10th, the Marlins started with a runner on second (a new rule created to speed up the game and attract and appease the younger, more impatient fans). The next batter hit it deep enough into the outfield for the guy on base to get home.

We had one last chance to win it. We put a man on second, and then the new guy, Max Scherzer, comes up and sends that ball to the moon. It was beautiful. We jumped out of our seats and whooped and hollered through our masks.

It was time to go home, but no slow-moving herds of people oozed around us, no mad scramble broke out on the way to the parking garage. We nonchalantly made our way down the stairs and out of the stadium.

Goodnight, Nats. Thank you for a quiet, breezy evening punctuated at the end by a short burst of Natitude.