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Whenever I watch a Nats game it’s hard not to notice that the entire outfield wall is covered in what appear to be fans that are not powered, but spin whenever there’s a breeze—what the hell are those and why are they there?
The fans lackadaisically spinning behind Nats outfielder Alfonso Soriano’s back are a relic from a bygone era, when the paint, engineering, and other trade shops housed below RFK’s bleachers were not air conditioned and needed fresh air circulation.
However, even with the fans—which are not powered and are only used to promote circulation—the shops were undoubtedly hot and humid, says RFK Stadium Manager Troy Scott.
“Years ago, it must have been very rough down there,” says Scott.
So why stick fans in plain sight when there must be countless other places to put them? The fans are located in the shops’ only openings and are invisible beneath the stands when RFK is in its soccer or football configuration, says Scott.
And the more than $15 million in renovations to RFK included no plans to get rid of the fans, according to D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission spokesperson Tony Robinson.
“It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how much money we put into it, this place is still a dump,” Robinson says, as he passes the renovated Terrace Food Court.
Every Monday, the ‘Huh?’ Bub takes your questions. Got one?