Customer Service During a Rain Delay

Posted by Brian Dautch on Apr. 21, 2009 at 11:25 AM
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Last night, I waited out the rain delay at Nationals Park for what amounted to "Crappy Hour": double priced beers at the stadium rather than half priced beers at a bar.  Noticed a few things.

--Several fans spent the first hour or so watching the Capitals-Rangers game in the Red Loft, and rooting the team on as they took an early lead.  So what was the team's response?  Changing EVERY television in the Loft to the Marlins-Pirates game.  First of all, God knows we've seen enough of the Marlins after the ferocious beatings they routinely give us.  Secondly, people just wanted to support a local team that's trying to make a playoff run, a rare occurrence indeed in today's Washington.  As the bartenders made the change, and fans booed loudly in response, the bartenders just...smirked and laughed at us.  It's like they take the politician's view of the world: never explain, never apologize.  Is it just me, or does that summarize the Nationals' attitude toward their fan base in general?

--You'll never guess what kind of conversation that led to.  It led to people sitting around and talking about ways the Nationals have screwed them over as fans, bloggers, etc.  Many people remarked that the Caps treat their fans and bloggers with real warmth and generosity, and that the Nats have not only failed to do that, but actually provide the exact opposite experience.

--It actually wasn't raining for the first hour of the rain delay; they were simply awaiting the passage of a "rain cell".  I can only imagine the team didn't want Zimmermann to warm up, pitch three innings, then have a delay, and then probably have to leave the game.  But as a fan, it gets kind of late on a school night, you know?  I stuck around for six innings, which gave me the chance...

--...to see Zimmermann throw 72 wonderfully efficient pitches.  Even though he gave up a dinger, I thought he showed superb mechanics, tremendous resolve and fortitude, the ability to work out of jams, and a great feel for the strike zone.  Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.