Andrew Mollenbeck, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – The last time the D.C. area prepared for playoff baseball, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president.
With that hiatus, the “hottest ticket in town” label may well apply for as long as the Nationals are in the playoffs.
Sellouts are expected nightly, and third-party sales will no doubt be a popular go-to for fans.
But what is the law about selling tickets on the streets?
To be sure, it happens before every game, and fans rarely see a crackdown.
In fact, it would be something of a feat to navigate Half Street without running into sellers hawking tickets.
But here’s some legal information provided by the Metropolitan Police Department.
The offense:
500.5 No person shall sell or offer to sell tickets from the sidewalks, streets, or public spaces anywhere in the District of Columbia for any excursion, theatrical performance, opera, ball game, or any entertainment of any kind.
The penalty:
501.9 If a person is convicted of violating any of the provisions of this chapter, he or she shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300), or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, for each such offense.
But for those worried about finding seats to the games, the Nationals will offer some standing-room-only seats on game day.
In a Nationals news release:
“The Nationals will sell a select number of Standing Room Only tickets on the day of each NLDS [National League Division Series] game at the Nationals Park Box Office, located at the Center Field Gate, once the Box Office opens. Standing Room Only tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.”
Follow Andrew Mollenbeck and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
