Nationals Park, originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.

The Washington Nationals new ballpark is a wonderful addition to the city and a marked improvement over RFK Stadium. As a partial season-ticket holder for the past four seasons, I was as ready as anyone for a new home this season.

After two games in the new park (including yesterday’s rain-delayed action), I’m thrilled that I’ll be watching 18 more games there. But at the same time, I’m disappointed it doesn’t have the distinguishing characteristics of ballparks like Camden Yards in Baltimore, PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Comerica Park in Detroit.

Instead, Nationals Park resembles in many ways the architecture of Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, this era’s version of the cookie-cutter stadium. The stadium’s designers promised a view of the U.S. Capitol, but not from my seat — or the majority of the ballpark. In fact, two unsightly parking garages overshadow the D.C. skyline, making the view beyond the outfield wall one of the blandest in baseball. Don’t get me wrong, there are great aspects of the ballpark, including the beautiful scoreboard, but there’s nothing that makes the park uniquely Washington.

While the architecture isn’t my favorite, the food certainly makes up for it. Despite the outrageously high prices, I know I’ll enjoy Five Guys, Red Hot & Blue and Gifford’s Ice Cream throughout the season. A greater selection of beers (no Saranac, unfortunately) also makes the stadium an improvement over RFK.

Now if only the pitiful play of the Nationals improves, fans will have a reason to celebrate D.C.’s newest attraction.