Nothing says summertime quite like baseball. For nearly 150 years, Major League Baseball (MLB) has been a staple of summer in the United States with about 75 million people attending games each year. In Boston, the baseball tradition revolves around Fenway Park.
Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park remains the oldest MLB stadium currently in use. The Red Sox have sold out every home game since May 15, 2003, and in 2008 the park broke the MLB record by selling out its 456th consecutive game. The streak continues, and as of July 17, 2012, the park has had 760 consecutive sellouts.
Over the years, Fenway Park underwent many renovations and additions that have resulted in some quirky features. First off, Fenway Park is small by MLB standards; it has the fourth lowest seating capacity, and second lowest total capacity of all MLB stadiums. It is one of seven MLB ballparks that is unable to accommodate at least 40,000 spectators. Another unique feature is “The Triangle,” a section of seating in center field where the walls form a triangle. The far right corner is 420 feet from home plate and is marked as the center field home run distance. The true center is unmarked.
Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park remains the oldest MLB stadium currently in use. The Red Sox have sold out every home game since May 15, 2003, and in 2008 the park broke the MLB record by selling out its 456th consecutive game. The streak continues, and as of July 17, 2012, the park has had 760 consecutive sellouts.
Over the years, Fenway Park underwent many renovations and additions that have resulted in some quirky features. First off, Fenway Park is small by MLB standards; it has the fourth lowest seating capacity, and second lowest total capacity of all MLB stadiums. It is one of seven MLB ballparks that is unable to accommodate at least 40,000 spectators. Another unique feature is “The Triangle,” a section of seating in center field where the walls form a triangle. The far right corner is 420 feet from home plate and is marked as the center field home run distance. The true center is unmarked.
 The Triangle |  Pesky's Pole |
“Pesky’s Pole” is the nickname for the right field foul pole at Fenway, and has been the source of some controversy. The pole gets its name from Johnny Pesky, second and third baseman and shortstop for the Red Sox from 1942-43 and 1945-52. The official measurement states that the pole sits 302 feet from home plate, but aerial shots have shown it to be noticeably shorter.
The Green Monster
And then of course there’s the Green Monster, the 37’ 2” wall in left field. The Green Monster is part of the original ballpark construction and was originally made of wood but has since been covered with tin and concrete. Today the wall is the highest in any MLB field and remains a staple of Fenway Park.
There are many ways to check out Fenway Park during your time in Boston for the Annual Meeting. Tours are offered daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM except on game days when the last tour is offered three hours before the first pitch. The Red Sox also have two home series around Annual Meeting time: May 23-26 vs. the Cleveland Indians and May 27-28 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. For more information about Fenway Park, visit the links below.
There are many ways to check out Fenway Park during your time in Boston for the Annual Meeting. Tours are offered daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM except on game days when the last tour is offered three hours before the first pitch. The Red Sox also have two home series around Annual Meeting time: May 23-26 vs. the Cleveland Indians and May 27-28 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. For more information about Fenway Park, visit the links below.
For More Information
Image Credits - Fenway Park, The Triangle, The Green Monster: Wikipedia, Pesky's Pole: Fine Art America
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