WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Awestruck Washington Nationals fans streamed into sparkling Nationals Park on Sunday for the first game of the 2008 regular season, absorbing the sights, sounds and tantalizing smells of their city’s $611 million monument to professional baseball.

Metro officials said they had extra personnel on hand to ensure a smooth opening weekend and those who traveled to the game by train, shuttle bus and car said there were no major snags.

“We’re blown away at how easy this was,” Bethesda resident Elaine Colton said of her Metro experience. “I’ve lived here for 30 years, never taken the Green Line before, so having announcements and extra staff to tell us what to do was really awesome.”

Capitol Heights resident Matt Oldham opted to drive to RFK Stadium and take a shuttle bus to the game.

“For a free service, I was surprised at how well it all worked,” Oldham said.

Fans received the red carpet treatment, literally, as they approached the park’s center-field gates. The wide-open plaza elicited “oohs” and “aahs,” while the line for Ben’s Chili Bowl quickly expanded beyond the ropes meant to contain it.

The capacity crow of 41,888 cheered as members of the D.C. National Guard unfurled two massive American flags in the outfield. The reaction was similarly loud, but mixed, for President Bush, who threw the first pitch a little high and outside.

Marlene Koenig of Alexandria, a season ticket holder of both the Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles, said the difference between D.C.’s old RFK Stadium and Nationals Park is staggering.

“It’s quite nice now, not going from the palace to the slums,” she said referring to the trip between Baltimore’s Camden Yards and RFK.

T.J. Landwemeyer of Vienna took in the game with his dad, Tom. Both attended the final preseason game the night before that drew nearly 35,000.

“I’m thoroughly impressed,” Landwemeyer said. “They really pulled out all

the stops, really opened everything up.”

Gregory O’Dell, chief executive officer of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, was ready to relax. While the commission oversaw the park’s tightly packed, two-year construction, and will serve as its landlord, the Nationals will manage the facility — and reap the profits.

“It’s overwhelming to see the fan experience, the fan reaction,” O’Dell said.

Woodbridge resident Rick Westley said on his way into the game that he expected the real transit challenges would come when the Nationals play their first weeknight game next Monday and those traveling to the game must battle rush hour.

“Today though, so far so great,” Westley said.

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com

kmiller@dcexaminer.com