Having arrived from Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., the Nationals have begun the countdown to liftoff on Nationals Park, a steel-and-glass monument that will launch baseball construction into the modern era.

The $611 million stadium gives a nod to the past with statues and a museum, but mainly treats it as that -- relics.

Instead, the park is loaded with the latest bells and whistles: gourmet kitchens, padded seats with cupholders, a sleek design inspired by the National Gallery of Art and, of course, televisions -- big and small, in every location imaginable.

"Sunday is going to be a great day," team president Stan Kasten said. "We know from a facility standpoint we're good to go."

All the major pieces of the puzzle are in place. Kasten said that minor problems are expected during Saturday's exhibition game, but his staff will hold a meeting immediately after the game and construction crews will attend to any issues before Sunday's season opener against the Braves.

After that game, construction crews have a week while the team hits the road before a homestand beginning April 7.

"There will be a hiccup here or there," he said. "Our fans will point that out. We need that and we should have everything fixed and ready for the first homestand."

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The modern feel of the stadium includes a reliance on public transportation. The Navy Yard Metro entrance, located one block from the stadium, opened Friday morning.

It will be able to handle 15,000 fans in an hour. Kasten has repeatedly urged fans to use the system and use Metro's parking garages around the city.

"I've been on metro systems around the world," he said. "I grew up going to games on the subway -- Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden. I don't know that I've gone to them other than by subway. It's what you should do."

Nationals Park is also setting standards for progressive construction on a national level. Friday the team announced it was awarded Silver LEED certification for environmentally friendly design.

It is the first stadium in America to receive the designation, which acknowledges architecture that is designed to minimize environmental impact.

Even during construction those principles were followed. Parts were being lugged around on electric golf carts, decorated with curly W's. As the players tried to make their way through the hallways, the carts created the park's first traffic jam, though this one was in the tunnel instead of South Capitol Street.

It won't take long for the players to adjust to the new park -- even with all the amenities, everything is centrally located. But they'd be wise to not let that knowledge turn into pride.

After boasting in his press conference that he had not been lost yet, manager Manny Acta left the room -- and headed the wrong way.