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 -
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.