I say you SHOULD stay near the ballpark if you plan to attend a game. Metro is jam packed before and after games, so walking is by far the most pleasant way to get there. It is also very difficult to get a taxi after games.

The area is quickly gentrifying -- several new restaurants have opened in recent months--- and quite lively on game days.. If you are there for a Friday game, there will also be a game on Saturday so you'll have no chance to experience the area in its "dead" or "sketchy" condition. Plan your Metro use to avoid it during fan travel hours.

Ps. I do not recall seeing any partially demolished buildings, but some under construction. The economic crash put a halt to new construction as the park opened about six years ago and there were quite a few empty lots, but development has picked up in the past two years.

Go, Nats!

She doesn't want to take the Metro and they don't plan to be out at night -
<I>If we go out to dinner Saturday and are returning after dark, we could get a cab back to the hotel. But I think it's pretty unlikely we'd be anywhere but in the hotel room after 8:30 or 9, just not our style.

/I>Their priority is the game and they can cab it to and from other areas (for dinner or sightseeing) on the 2nd night. I don't see the problem.

And now the fighting among the usual Fodorites begins...buh bye!

I've been following another thread on metro use in DC and picked up some helpful tips. Will go online and purchase two SmartTrip cards. Plan to take B30 to Greenbelt/green line to Navy Yard stop from BWI. Will use metro during the day to get around to places we want to go that are on the other side of DC and too far to walk and have enough energy left over after getting there to walk around and see what we want to see.
Don't be too judgmental, folks: Significant Other has difficulties being in closed in/crowded places where he has no easy exit. Trying to keep him comfortable and still see what there is to see. (We do use the T in Boston and have used public transportation in Lisbon and Malta, etc.)
Looking forward to a fun trip.

Have a great trip, Nepheline. :-)

Enjoy your trip and the game.