"For the past couple of years, whenever the Phillies have traveled down to Washington to face the Nationals, their fans have traveled with them to Nationals Park.

It has become kind of embarrassing for the Nationals and their fans -- having their stadium taken over by the visitors.

It has apparently become so embarrassing that the Nationals have set their minds to stopping it.

According to MLB.com, the Nationals have launched a campaign they are calling "Take Back the Park," which encourages Nats fans to purchase tickets for the first three home games against the Phillies before they go on sale to the public.

Starting on Friday, single-game seats for the May 4-6 series against the Phillies are available only to season-ticket holders who live in Washington, Maryland or Virginia.

"For several years now, our fans, everybody, have been screaming about the number of Phillies fans that invade our park when we have a series here at Nationals Park," Nationals COO Andy Feffer said. "Frankly, I'm tired of seeing the Phillies fans in our ballpark in Washington more than anything. We sat down as a group and we said, 'You know what? It's time to take our park back in Washington and get our fans in this park.""