Hats off to Fenway Park!

Yesterday, I had a privilege to attend a 1-hour guided tour at Fenway Park in Boston! Those who know me will be aware of the fact that the Red Sox are my second most favorite team, so that was ALMOST as big for me as my visit to a Dodgers-Philly game last June at Chavez Ravine.

I had a great time walking around Fenway, which is currently well under construction in terms of the outfield grass line being moved closer to the Wall/walls/stands (the warning track will be 2-3 feet narrower). They are also refurbishing press rooms to accomodate the influx of the Japanese media (we were allowed to enter the Remy broadcast booth) and totally moving the opposing batting practise area. It used to be in a shabby and secluded place in the rough viscinity of center field. They are moving it now to the location where the opposing batters would actually be seen from the inside of the "Game On" restaurant (with a one-way see-through window between the batting area and the restaurant sitting area. That seems like a great idea from the fans' standpoint!). In general the place looked as if it was January 11, not March 11, but we were told the crews are working 24/7 and should get everyting in order in time for the season opener.

Anyway, I took a lot of pictures and will probably put them up here when I'm back. I bought my black coffee mug and an MLB baseball. Just wanted to share my joy with you as I know you will be happy for me :).

PS. Now, the prices of parking around Fenway - that's another story (we've been discussing that on one of the Dodger yahoo groups lately). As far as I have learned it's 30 USD per car on an official Red Sox parking lot (though the club encourages the use of "green T" subway that takes you right next to the ballpark). There are privately operated parking lots everywhere around the stadium, which have the following price structure: "weekdays - 10 USD, weekends - 20 USD, Fenway events [look out!] - 35 USD".

If I was a Bostonian and followed the Red Sox AND had lots of money to spare, I would have bought a condo in the apartment building just the opposite of Boylston Str. (where Yawkey Way merges into Jersey Str.). They are well within walking distance and you save 81 x 35 USD per season, which makes it up to 2835 USD per year ;). Just enough to buy 7 (seven) right field pavilion packages with a table for four and 25-dollar per capita worth of food :).