How to Watch Batting Practice at Nationals Park [Washington Nationals]


Watching MLB players taking batting practice can be a lot of fun. Not only is this a time where some players will interact with the fans and sign autographs, you may also be able to snag a souvenir baseball. It is also a time where fans can become familiar with players from the visiting team. But what about Washington Nationals games at Nationals Park? Can you watch batting practice at Nationals Park?

Yes, you can watch batting practice at Nationals Park, although it’s worth noting that batting practice may begin prior to the stadium gates opening, so fans may miss some of the players taking batting practice. The official time that Washington Nationals batting practice is held can change, but in general, you can expect batting practice to begin roughly two and a half hours before game time. Typically, batting practice lasts 45-50 minutes per team.

The Nationals will take batting practice first, since they are the home team. After that, the visiting team will take their batting practice. The length of batting practice can fluctuate day-to-day, but most teams stick to normal routines as much as possible. You can check out the Nationals information guide to check out any updates.

Nationals Park gates will open 90 minutes before first pitch, but gate times can be subject to change at the Nationals discretion. The Nationals will take batting practice first. The road team will begin batting practice after the Nationals are finished. This means that likely the Nationals will already by taking batting practice and some players may be finished when you get into the park.

Although batting practice is usually held, it is worth noting that there can be occasional exceptions due to weather or other circumstances. Batting practice time is at the manager’s discretion, but as I mentioned earlier, most teams stick to normal routines as much as possible.

Washington Nationals Batting Practice Time

Can You Watch Batting Practice at Nationals Park?

Yes, you can watch batting practice at Nationals Park. As we discussed above, the official time that Washington Nationals batting practice is held can change, but in general, you can expect batting practice to begin roughly 2 to 2.5 hours before game time.

The Washington Nationals will take batting practice first, since they are the home team. After that, the visiting team will take their batting practice. The length of batting practice can fluctuate day-to-day, but batting practice usually lasts 45-60 minutes per team.

The Nationals Park Gates will open 90 minutes before first pitch. The Nationals will take batting practice first. Typically each team will take between 45 and 50 minutes to complete their batting practice. While most seats will be open, the Nationals require you seat in your ticketed seats.

The main takeaway is that even though, yes, fans are allowed to enter the stadium early to watch batting practice at Nationals Park, because the gates only open 90 minutes before first pitch the Nationals will often be underway and possibly some Nationals players may be done. The road team will then take batting practice after the Nationals.

What Time do Gates Open for Batting Practice?

As we discussed above, Nationals Park gates open 90 minutes prior to game time. It is worth noting that gate times are always subject to change, but most teams stick to normal gate times as much as possible. It is always a good idea to check with the Nationals if you have questions about potential gate time changes.

After the Nationals complete their portion of batting practice, the road team will take the field and hold batting practice. For more information on stadium gates, visit our Nationals Park Gate & Parking Guide.

Do You Need a Ticket for Batting Practice?

You will, of course, need a game ticket to be able to enter Nationals Park and watch batting practice, but you don’t need an additional ticket to be able to watch batting practice.

If you need tickets for an upcoming Washington Nationals game, you can read more by visiting our article that discusses buying tickets at Nationals Park.


Other Things to do Besides Watching Batting Practice at Nationals Park

When heading to the game, you may want to check out some of the other attractions near or in Nationals Park. Here are a couple popular attractions near Nationals Park that we think you might enjoy.

The Yards Park is a waterfront park situated along the Anacostia River, about a 3 minute drive or 10 minute walk from Nationals Park.  Ample green space, a boardwalk, and fun water features like the dancing fountains make Yards Park a fun destination for all ages. Wading is allowed in the 11-inch deep canal basin.

About a mile from Nationals Park is the Cold War Gallery Museum, located in the Washington Navy Yard.  Because this is a secure military facility and protocols can change without notice, it’s important to check current information before planning a visit to the museum.

Also, going to a game isn’t complete without buying a jersey from your local team. If you are wanting to get a jersey of you favorite current or past Nationals player, I would encourage you to check out our Authentic Nationals Jersey article.

Washington Nationals Contact Info

This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Nationals Park, the Washington Nationals, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.

Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the Washington Nationals staff. Contact information is below:

Joshua Lloyd

Joshua is lead content creator for basketball and golf at Sports Fan Focus. Golf is a passion of his and he enjoys both playing and watching golf in his spare time. To read more about Joshua, visit the SFF About Us page.

Recent Posts