April Fools’ Day is Opening Day 2024 at Nationals Park — no joke
Baseball fans across the D.C. area will head to the District Monday afternoon as the Washington Nationals host their 2024 home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams is set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, while Mayor Muriel Bowser will give the call to “play ball!”
First pitch is 4:05 p.m.
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Washington (1-2) was in last place for most of the 2023 season, but this spring, they find themselves ahead of the New York Mets (0-3) and Miami (0-4), after dropping two of three in Cincinnati.
There’s at least more excitement surrounding the 2024 Nationals as opposed to last year’s team, according to WTOP Sports Reporter Dave Preston’s Nationals Notebook.
Monday’s rain is expected to taper off by the afternoon, just in time for the Nationals’ home opener, according to 7News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan.
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If you are driving to the game, all Nationals parking garages and lots will open at 1 p.m. Gates at Nationals Park open at 2 p.m. and pregame ceremonies begin at 3:30 p.m. A U.S. military flyover of the stadium is scheduled for 3:55 p.m.
The team said the first 20,000 fans who arrive will receive an Opening Day reversible bucket hat, thanks to sponsor PenFed.
Tickets to the game were still available Monday morning.
The team is showing off some futuristic technology that will greet fans when they show up to Nationals Park this season.
Using technology called “Go-Ahead Entry,” fans will no longer need to show their ticket in order to enter the stadium — all they need to do is show their face. But not every entrance will be equipped with the cutting-edge technology, meaning fans who don’t want to participate don’t have to, according to WTOP Reporter Nick Iannelli.
WTOP’s Dave Preston, Nick Iannelli and The Associated Press contributed to this report.