Fredericksburg Ballpark

Fans entering Fredericksburg Nationals Ballpark from the first-base side, Jun-2021.

A good look at the seating bowl and various other seating options from down the left-field line.

The view from behind home plate late in an evening game.

Chronological Tour: Stop 415

• Location: Central Park, Carl W. Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, Va. (map it using Google Maps)
• Opened: 2020 as FredNats Ballpark
• Additional names: Virginia Credit Union Stadium (2022)
• Home team: Fredericksburg Nationals, Carolina League (2021-present)
• Capacity: 5,000

Rating: 4 baseballs

As with most venues, the park opened to limited capacity in May 2021, but by the time of my visit in mid-June, capacity restrictions had been lifted. The game I attended was played to an audience of over 4200, less than a sellout but still impressive.

Fans approach the ballpark along the meandering Carl W. Silver Parkway, which leads up from Plank Road (VA 3). There are other approaches to the Central Park complex from the city, including at least one crossing of I-95. Once at the facility, a parking fee is charged (and nearby businesses and apartment complexes do not appreciate freeloaders). Tickets and concessions are a little bit on the pricey side, but the Northern Virginia market can bear slightly higher prices than many other areas. Egress from close-by parking lots can be difficult thanks to pedestrians walking toward their cars in more distant lots.

The park itself is an admirable effort, featuring a wrap-around concourse and several party areas as well as a playground area beyond right field. The main seating is all below the entry concourse, although most of the area behind home plate is taken up by a double-decked club seating area.