Backpacks now banned at Nats Park, ESPN picks up May 19 game

Citing a need to "enhance ballpark safety," the Nationals announced Friday a new policy that prohibits fans from bringing backpacks into Nationals Park for the upcoming season.

Fans previously had been allowed to enter the ballpark with backpacks, which, like other bags, were screened by security personnel at all gates. The team will no longer allow them, though, except in cases of backpack diaper bags or backpacks used for medical reasons or for devices covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Exceptions for the aforementioned diaper bags and backpacks needed for ADA/medical reasons can be requested by season-plan ticket-holders at any season-plan-holder gate. Non-ticket plan-holders can request backpack exemptions at any family/ADA lane at the center field or home plate gates.

The Nationals said all purses, briefcases, drawstring bags, diaper bags and soft-sided coolers that do not exceed 16 inches by 16 inches by eight inches will continue to be permitted. Backpacks bought during games or events at Nationals Park will be tagged and permitted for use only on the day of purchase.

"The safety of our fans, staff and players at Nationals Park is always a top priority," said Scott Fear, the club's recently hired vice president of public safety and security. "We understand the implementation of these procedures will take some time for our fans to get used to, but our organization is dedicated to making Nationals Park the safest environment possible for everyone in attendance."

The new backpack policy is the latest increased-security measure taken by the Nationals, who, like many other MLB clubs and other professional sports franchises, have made gradual changes in recent years in the name of safety.

Everyone who enters Nationals Park or any other major league ballpark has been required to pass through metal detectors since 2015.

In other news, ESPN announced it has picked up the Nationals' May 19 home game against the Cubs for "Sunday Night Baseball."

First pitch for that game, originally scheduled for 1:35 p.m., will now be 7:05 p.m. Start times for all Sunday night games are being moved up one hour this season, ending the decades-long practice of 8:05 p.m. Eastern Time first pitches.

This is the only "Sunday Night Baseball" game for the Nationals so far in 2019, but ESPN could choose to select more as the season plays out. The Nats made five Sunday night appearances last season, including their Aug. 12 collapse at Wrigley Field when Ryan Madson served up a walk-off grand slam to David Bote with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.