I think it's just easier, and it's definitely cheaper, to pay for a taxi ride...

Taxis at Union Station, Express photo.

The Commuter Connections program of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has a program where for registered "member-commuters," if the people ride transit and for whatever reason they have to get home (between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm) and they can't at that moment, get there by transit, Commuter Connections will get them home (likely by taxi). From the Commuter Connections website:

If you carpool, vanpool, use public transportation, or bicycle or walk to work two or more days a week, Commuter Connections will get you home in the event of an emergency as part of the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program. GRH allows you peace of mind, and is regarded as an "insurance policy" in the event you experience an unexpected personal or family emergency or unscheduled overtime. Some restrictions apply, so be sure to read through the GRH program participation guidelines.

I think that's what DC needs to do wrt late night baseball games that end after the WMATA subway service normally closes for the night.

Washington Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman, smiles with principal owner Mark Lerner, after a news conference at Nationals Park in Washington Monday, April 20, 2009. Zimmerman has signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

According to "D.C. Will Pay Full Metro Tab After Late Ballgames," from today's Post, the last time this happened, 16 riders entered the Navy Yard subway station after midnight. This cost $40,000 in total, and $2,531 for each passenger. Even at $50 each, taxicab rides would have cost $800 in total.

This is another example of how transportation demand management planning should be required for all institutions in the city, including baseball stadiums... Were there a comprehensive transportation plan for Nationals Stadium, this aspect could be dealt with in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.

In this case, not having transportation demand management planning requirements mandated through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan costs DC about $120,000/year, just in terms of dealing with late baseball games.

Taxi and Metrobus in Washington DC. Wikipedia photo by Ben Schumin.