Why visit / Interesting facts:
- One of the best-known sports venues in the world
- Every Red Sox game since May 15, 2003, has sold out - an MLB record
- The only one of the original standard ballparks that's still being used
Time required: 70 minutes
Phone: +1-617-226-6666
Web site: http://mlb.mlb.com/bos/b...
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| November - Feburary: | 10am - 3pm |
| Non-Game Days: | 9am - 4pm |
| Game Days: | 9am - 3.5 hours before the game |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| General: | 12 $ |
| Seniors: | 11 $ |
| Children (3-15): | 10 $ |
Public transport:
- Subway Green Line: Kenmore
- Subway Green Line: Fenway
Address: 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, Massachusetts - USA
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Mark Sardella
Things you need to know:
- Fenway Park is the ballpark of the Boston Red Sox, located near Kenmore Square in Boston
- Fenway opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It's the only one of the original standard ballparks that's still being used as well
- Fenway is known as a "hitters' ballpark", because of its short right-field fence (302 feet), narrow foul ground, and closer-than-normal outfield fences. These differences add probably 5-7 points onto batting averages, which we hear is a lot in the baseball world. Also, perhaps because of this, the Red Sox have had 18 batting champions (through 1989)
- The Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 and 2007. Though this doesn't have to do with Fenway, it's definitely information you need to know around Boston, and at least while visiting the ballpark
- There are eight retired numbers above the right field grandstand: Bobby Doerr's 1 (with the Red Sox 1937-44, 46-51), Joe Cronin's 4 (1935-45), Johnny Pesky's 6 (1942, 46-52), Carl Yastrzemski's 8 (1961-1983), Ted Williams's 9 (1939-42, 46-60), Jim Rice's 14 (1974-89), Carlton Fisk's 27 (1969, 71-80), and Jackie Robinson's 42 (with the Brooklyn Dodgers 1947-1956)
- A couple of famous spots to look for in the park: The Green Monster, which is the nickname for the 37-foot, 2-inch left-field wall in the park. The wall is part of the original ballpark construction, and was covered with ads before it was painted green in 1947.
- Another spot: a lone red seat in the right-field bleachers (specifically, Section 42, Row 37, Seat 21), which signifies the longest home run ever hit at Fenway. Ted Williams hit the ball 502 feet (153 m). Experts guess that the ball, if unobstructed, would have flown 520-535 feet
- Plans were announced in 1999 to build a new Fenway Park near the current one. This plan was highly controversial, and in 2005 Red Sox ownership announced that the team would stay at Fenway indefinitely
What to do there:
- Take the Fenway Park tour, which runs all year long
- Time your trip with baseball season, and be sure to catch a game there
- Try your best to snag tickets to the lone red seat (see above)
Tips & Insights:
- The Fenway Park tour is 50 minutes long, and begins on the hour. However, they stop selling tickets 15 minutes beforehand, so arrive plenty early, especially during baseball season
- Be sure to catch a game if you're in town during baseball season. To get tickets, head to the Red Sox website, or look for potentially cheaper options at www.stubhub.com
- Bring your own food to the stadium if you're catching a game, but save room for beer and garlic fries
