Touring Fenway

A field level view of the Green Monster along the right field line.

Following the Brewers to Boston put us in some of the oldest stadium seats in the country.  Thanks to our oldest son, the trip included an up-close look at Fenway Park.

The stadium calls itself "America's Most Beloved Ballpark."  

I don't know if that's the case.  

It is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is 110 years old and one of the most iconic athletic venues in the world.

Since this weekend was a once-in-a-lifetime experience we saw as much of it as possible.  

The Green Monster is 37-feet, 2 inches tall.

 The tour allowed to walk on the warning track which circles the lawn on which the teams play.  My favorite shot is in the upper right corner.  I knelt on the track with the camera next to but not on the grass with the famous Green Monster looming in left field.

 The wall was built to keep non-paying guests from seeing a game for free.  It was also used as giant billboard, covered with advertising until they were removed in 1947 and the wall was painted green.

 In 2003, three rows of seats replaced a net placed atop the wall to catch baseballs.  

Warning sign on top of Green Monster.

The 269 seats are stools behind counters that help prevent fans from tumbling over the wall.  The seats are called "the best in the house," and sell for premium prices because of the limited supply.

While Fenway was built in 1912, a 1933 fire meant much of the stadium had to be refurbished, including the wall and the manually-operated scoreboard which was installed in 1934.

It takes three people to operate the green and red lights which indicate balls, strikes, and outs in addition to keep score of the out of town games up to date.  For a time National League games were removed from the wall, when they returned it meant an operator had to change scores and innings between innings (photos below).

Operator changes scores before going back inside the wall.  Pictures taken during 7/29/22 game

Our tour didn't include going inside the wall, which was unfortunate, I love to get inside for a minute or two.

Part of Fenway's rooftop garden.

 There is a much fresher scent on the Fenway roof at the top of the grandstand facing the left field foul line.  It's a garden, planted in 2015 on the top of the wall above Jersey Street where two local urban farms raise herbs and vegetables used in restaurants and concession stands.

 The 5,000 square foot garden uses technology to deliver the right amount of water and nutrients based on conditions.  It also turned what was an unattractive rubber roof into something that adds to the environment as it absorbs rainfall and carbon dioxide.

Matt talks to our guide.

 

There are different tours available at Fenway, group and private.  Matt paid for us to get a private tour which gave us a personal guide and an unhurried pace to ask questions and see the nooks and crannies of the ol' ballpark.

In a group tour the guide isn't going to take your picture standing on the field in front of the press box.  Brady gladly took our phone and cameras and clicked away, knowing the angles to get the best shot.

We weren't the only Brewer fans checking out Fenway, we saw a lot of Brewer gold and blue worn by people in two public tour groups as our group and theirs learned about different areas of the yard.

Fenway sits on 9 acres close to downtown.  Unlike the Brewer's American Family Field which is surrounded by acres of parking lots, in Boston there are retail businesses, including the team's pro shop, that try to capitalize on the 81 home games each season. 

Landsdowne, Van Ness, and Jersey Streets are closed prior to, during, and after games to create more space for fans to gather and celebrate baseball.

 

Championship banners line Jersey Street

 In Milwaukee parking lots open three hours before the game.  

 

 In Boston the surrounding city blocks are hopping well before game time. The three streets, except for Brookline, close a half-hour before opening the gates to allow fans onto the streets and into the ballpark 90 minutes before the game.

 

 Fenway Park has character and characters.  That's what happens over 110 years as habits, rituals, wins, and losses create a mythology and wonder fans celebrate.

 

I'll talk about a few more in upcoming blogs.  Here are a couple more photos from our Fenway tour:

 Fenway Park - opened 1912, reconstruction 1934

Section 14, where we sat July 29, the seats were installed in 1934 built for smaller people.

Matt couldn't lose since he cheers for both the Sox and Brewers.

Photo from the center field stands.  All photos by David W Mossner