Baseball Is Back–Almost!

By Zoe Howard-Barr & Charlotte Meyer-Schönherr

On Friday, March 21, Nationals Park offered its first look at what’s new for the 2025 season. The Georgetowner’s spring interns Zoe Howard-Barr and Charlotte Meyer-Schönherr attended a media preview, with Charlotte offering her take as a German exchange student on what baseball means to America.

In celebration of The Washington Nationals’ 20th anniversary this year, this season will feature several special giveaways, alumni appearances and the chance for fans to relive their favorite moments from the first 20 years of Nationals baseball. 

Nats Headquarters is a fun new display on the ground floor of the stadium. Three exclusive bobbleheads will be given away on Saturday, May 24, celebrating iconic moments like Howie Kendrick’s 2019 World Series home run that hit the foul pole. 

Nationals legendary infielder Ryan Zimmerman and broadcaster Dan Kolko are debuting a podcast this season, “The 11th Inning with Kolko & Zim.”

Between when the gates open up until the first pitch, the park will have a happy hour with $5 domestic beer and $6 hard seltzers. Tuesday games will feature discounted tickets, parking and a special $5 concessions menu including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and 12-oz. Bud Light beers. 

The stadium added 11 new vendors from local restaurants this year as part of the “Pitch Your Product” showcase. Georgetown businesses that will be featured include Dog Tag Bakery and Maracas Ice Pops.  

The Full “Pitch Your Product” Winner List:

• Cotton & Reed (Section 109): Try a curated selection of cocktails, including the refreshing ‘Cocomotion’ strawberry daiquiri, dark and stormies, and rum old fashioneds.
• Dog Tag Bakery (Suites, select marketplace locations): Indulge in an array of baked goods, from rich brownies and blondies to raspberry bars, cookies, and more.
• Electric Cool-Aid (Sections 102, 147): Sip on smooth, boozy slushies that are perfect for summertime baseball.
• Kam & 46 (Section 105): Fusion Hawaiian and Filipino flavors, with dishes like tuna tartare nachos, kalua pork sisig nachos, and other innovative twists.
• Lucky Danger (Section 238): Savor the best of American-Chinese cuisine, with veggie lo mein, crispy orange chicken bites, and dumplings.
• Maracas Ice Pops (One mobile bicycle per level): Treat yourself to handcrafted Mexican ice pops, bursting with authentic flavors 
• Moore Crunch (Sections 110, 129, 141, 205, 229, 306, 314): Have the perfect crunchy snack, seasoned mini pretzels.  
• Mush (Section 137): Enjoy plant-based sandwiches, bowls and sides.
• Party Of (Sections 110, 129, 141, 205, 229, 306, 314): Delight in the bold flavors of Thai chili lime popcorn and pad Thai popcorn
• Phowheels (Section 140):  Devour flavorful Vietnamese street food including egg rolls, Vietnamese tacos, and banh mi sandwich
• Taqueria Picoso (Section 117): Taste authentic Mexican tacos and tortas

From Zoe:

I absolutely recommend Lucky Danger dumplings. They were so delicious I went back for seconds. Electric Cool-Aid has what you need on a hot day of baseball–boozy slushies. The Frosé is perfect. 

The Nationals are hosting the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day, this Thursday, March 27. 

From Charlotte:

Maybe you have always wondered how people from Europe, more specifically Germany, feel about baseball, a typical American sport.

As a German exchange student, I’ve always known baseball as an “American sport,” something you see in movies or on TV, but during the Nationals Ballpark Tour on Friday, I finally experienced what baseball truly means to people here—and it honestly blew me away.

The tour gave us a preview of what’s new at Nationals Park this season, with different stops showcasing everything from promotional giveaways to new food options. What stood out to me wasn’t just the impressive facilities, it was the people and the deep emotional connection they had to the game.

Everyone we met had a personal story tied to baseball.

What surprised me the most though was how much thought the Nationals organization had put into creating an experience for everyone. There were themed book boxes, fun giveaways and special options that made it clear this wasn’t just about the game on the field. It was about community. It was about family.

It felt like baseball was an event where every family member could find something to enjoy, whether it was food, fun activities, or just being part of the atmosphere. I left with a completely different understanding of the sport.

For the first time, I saw baseball not just as a game, but as a full-on experience, one that brings people together, no matter their age. It made me realize why so many Americans are so passionate about it. I may be far from home, but for a couple of hours, I felt like I was part of this baseball family too.

Photos below are by Zoe Howard-Barr.

tagscotton & reedDog Tag BakeryElectric Cool-Aidkam & 46maracas popsmoore crunchNationalsphowheelstaqueria picosoWashington Nationals