Dumb Baseball Question from England
 

Please be gentle with me, good people, I am from England where we play the strange game with the round ball that you call soccer and a very strange game called cricket that takes 5 days and is usually a draw.

We will be in Boston in May and have just purchased two standing room tickets at Fenway Park for the Redsox v Mariners game. We just can't resist the idea of seeing America's greatest game in one of it's best ball parks. So -

The game starts at 2.05, so what time should we plan to arrive by, to get the most of the atmosphere? We'll be using the "T" from Back Bay.

Are there "good" and "bad" standing room areas, or will our tickets tell us exactly where we need to go?

How long do games tend to last?

Anything else you think a Fenway first-timer should know?

Thanks for all your help...

MR

There are no dumb baseball questions. I'd probably arrive around 12:30 and hang out in front of the park for a half hour and then go in. The game should last 3 hours.

Make sure you purchase a New York Yankees hat and shirt before you arrive. The fans at Fenway have a special affinity for the Yankees. There is also a special Fenway cheer where you yell "1918" as often as you wish.

Baseball is one of the few games without a clock which means the game lasts as long as it takes to finish at least 8 1/2 full innings. (If Boston is winning after Seattle bats in the 9th inning, the game ends at that point.) Most games will run between 2 and 1/2 hours and 3 hours but a game that runs longer than 3 hours isn't all that uncommon.

I'll leave it to the fans in New England to fill you in on the Fenway specifics. Enjoy.

Thanks Ryan - regarding your Yankees point, I may be dumb but I'm not that dumb! LOL

Your ticket may have a "gate" number telling you where to enter. If not, enter at any gate. Ask an usher to direct you. Being especially nice may get you directed to an especially good area - or even to a seat, especially if you rave about how you came all the way from England to see a game. If directed to a seat, tip the usher a few dollars.

After about a half hour into the game, if you spy seats somewhere, just go sit in them. Be prepared for the rightful owner of the seats to come and throw you out of their seats - just play dumb and smile. People do it all the time (we go to 8-10 games a year and tend to arrive a little late - there is often someone sitting in our seats - we just show them our tickets and they move)

The weather in June can be beautiful or cold and raw - dress accordingly.

Food for sale at Fenway is generally overpriced and of poor quality - eat it to get a real feel for the Fenway atmosphere, but plan on having a decent dinner after.

We have been to many ballparks around the country - an oddity of Fenway and Red Sox fans is there yelling "Yankees Sxxk" even when there are no NY Yankees in sight.

If you want to see batting practice, etc., 12:30 is fine - but it can get a little boring waiting that long for the game to start.

If you have time during your Boston stay, you might want to go on a Fenway Park tour - details on redsox.com

Don't worry. I've watched games on TV that goes on for 5 or 6 hours, but never 5 days. You cricket fans will find the baseball game pretty short in comparison.

MagicRat,

This reminds me of being in a Cricket pub in Greenwhich. I think it's called the "Cricketeer", but I could be wrong. I spent a good 30 minutes with the owner of the pub as he tried in vain to explain to me the subtle nuances of the fine sport of cricket. I still have no idea what that game is about. Of course the couple of pints that I tossed down during his explanations didn't help matters any. :)

As for American baseball, and Fenway Park in particular, I would suggest getting there about an hour early. I agree with an earlier poster that it may get boring if you don't know how or where you're supposed to be worshipping, er' experiencing the park.

More importantly, I would think that to truly experience the American pastime, you will need to purchase (inside the ballpark) an overpriced, yet yummy jumbo hotdog or sausage. Smother it with onions, pickle relish and at least mustard, if not ketchup. Wash it down with a bland American pilsner. For added gastronomical sound effects later, add a bag of peanuts as well!

The fastest major league ballgame last year was (I believe) 1 hour and 48 minutes. That is unusually short. The average game was approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. But since games can go into extra innings, if there is a tie at the end of 9 innings, the game can actually go on for a long time, apparently as Cricket can.

Since you'll be seeing an American League game complete with a "designated hitter" to hit for the pitcher instead of the the pitcher hitting for himself, as God himself intended it I am sure, it may take a few minutes less, since the manager will have less to think about. :) (That was an inside joke for all of the American League DH fans.)

Enjoy the game!

p.s. Just out of curiousity, when I go to a football game at somewhere like Wembley Stadium in London, how early would I need to get there?

If you wear Mariners hats and wave both a Union Jack <i>and</i> a Japanese flag, you will appear on both US and Japanese TV. The chant you need to learn is &quot;Ee-Chee-Roh!&quot;

Of course as a result you might get involved in a cultural exchange with the ER people at Mass Gen.

Gardyloo, LOL!!!!! Thanks for the morning chuckle! :)

First may I say how jealous I am that you got tickets to see the Boston RedSox play at Fenway park!!! You are going to have the best time! Red Sox fans know how to have a good time!!!
Time depends on if you are planning on tailgating before the game. I would definately get there 45 minutes to an hour early. You will soak up the atmosphere as soon as you get there!! Have fun!

MagicRat, you want to arrive at the ballpark at about 11:30 in the morning. I can't remember the name, but there is a brew pub directly across the street from Fenway Park. They have 15-20 different brews. Have a few pints and soak up some of the fan's enthusiasms and ambiance of the area.

Have a nice time in Bean Town. ((b))

Chances are you will be standing on the back wall behind the grandstands. Near the beer stands too- very convenient. Arrive around 12-12:30. Walk to the park if you are staying in the Back Bay. Its not far. Just follow the crowds.

My favorite part of our Fenway visit in 1999 was eating a hot dog from a stand after the game. It was hot and covered with grilled veggies. Yummm!

MagicRat:

Have loads of fun.

Bring lots of money as all concession stands do not take credit/debit cards.

A day at our ballpark is very expensive.

Beers can run you $4.00-$6.00 and you must always have your ID.

Foods and snacks are delicious...yet, expensive.

Finally, visit the website for Fenway Park and for the Boston Redsox.

You will learn more details about the park and its surroundings and you will also be able to know which players to watch and why when you visit the site for the players.

Enjoy!
Oaktown Traveler

Just so you know, the park officially opens for batting practice 2 hours before game time. That would be the visiting team taking bp, they won't let you in to see the Sox. Batting practice is actually pretty boring, unless your standing room tickets are on top of the green monster where you can catch the homers!

Yawkey way, the road outside the park, is closed off to all but ticket holders on gameday. It's then filled up with food stands, and displays of how baseballs are made, and other silliness. You might be able to get an autograph from former Sox pitcher Luis Tiant, who is often sitting near his Cuban Food stand signing. If you were really into it, you could maybe spend 1/2 hour wandering around.

have a great time! I hope it doesn't rain.

Magic, I'm not certain how much I can add to the above but, as a veteran of many games at Fenway Park, you've chosen what is arguably the best ball park in America in which to catch the National Pasttime.

As someone pointed out, Yawkey Way is the place to be before the game, preferably after lunch at one of the taverns around Fenway (they're interchangable). A Brit in Boston with an interest in baseball is going to attract welcome attention.

Also as someone pointed out correctly, the gates open at noon, but there's little to see until about half an hour before game time, so soak up the culture in front of the stadium - it will be crowded with fans. Invoke the names of the gods: Yaz, Fiske, Ted Williams. The wonderful thing about baseball in Boston is that the fans actually understand the game's subtleties, and they breathe its history.

When you go in, there will still be fielding practice going on; the park will still be less than a third full. Go over and touch the Green Monster, partake of the food.

Three hours is about right for an afternoon game; the place clears out pretty quickly after a game with an out-of-division opponent like Seattle. You'll still have nearly four hours of sunlight to enjoy the day and savor what you saw.

And, as an aside to dfotravels, the constitutional amendment to outlaw the DH and artificial turf has already cleared 28 states and should be law by the time MagicRat gets to Boston.

Neal,

Great post.

Two additional comments.

1. From a vendor on Yawkey way, get a sausage smothered in onions and peppers with some Gulden's brown mustard and wash it down with a Sam Adams (I don't think you can get a Narragansett anymore).

2. If you at all have the opportunity, travel the 200 miles south and catch a game at Yankee Stadium (preferably Red Sox / Yanks).

If you hit Fenway and see the Yanks, you've got two of the three pillars. Save Wrigley field for another time.

And Ryan,....GREAT POST...LOL!

Further to Ryan's advice, don't forget to mention that Grady Little's your all time favorite manager of the Red Sox and that you would have left Pedro in too.

MagicRat,

This just in from MSNBC, in case you're wondering how seriously we take baseball in Boston...

Red hots and the Red Sox
Will Fenway Park go veggie?

Some Boston Red Sox fans have been up in arms that opening day falls on Good Friday, and Catholics attending the game will be forbidden from eating hot dogs. Last week, the Boston Archdiocese denied fans? requests for a dispensation from the church, which said wanting a dog with their beers was too weak an excuse to ignore the no-meat rule. So People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wrote to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry with a solution.

?The curse of the Bambino is bad enough, but it sounds to us like you?re courting a curse of Biblical proportions,? PETA?s Vegetarian Campaign Coordinator, Dan Shannon, wrote in a letter to Henry. ?However, we have a way that you can make amends ? offer veggie dogs. . . . Show the Church that you are concerned about this day when all Catholics and most Christians abstain from meat by taking all meat off Fenway?s menu completely, and ordering truck loads of veggie dogs and burgers to satisfy the Sox (and Christian) faithful.?

The Red Sox didn?t return calls for comment.

gc, be thankful you're not a traditional Roman Mass Catholic. All Fridays are no-meat days and, during Lent, it is one meal a day except for Sunday and Feast Days (ie. St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's this week- what a break.)

Thanks for all your replies - we can taste the Sam Adams already!

Yes, Samuel Adams is great beer. I especially recommend the Double Bock. And, if you can, tell Adams to send some of that Double Bock to us in DC. The regional distributors in my area are refusing to carry it.

2 1/2 to 3 hrs for an AMERICAN league game? In the National League -yes, but try more like 3 1/2 hrs on average for AL games.

True baseball hasn't been played in an American League park since the Designated Hitter was introduced over 30 years ago.

yeah. It's really exciting to watch those pitchers walk and strike out over and over

Cricket explained

This was taken from another website

Cricket as Explained to a Foreign Visitor

You have two sides one out in the field and one in

Each man that's in the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in till he's out

When they are all out that side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out

Sometimes you get men still in but not out

When both sides have been in including the not outs then that's the end of the game

HOWZAT


Clear as mud???

Bill

but not nearly as exciting as watching a steroid juiced designated hitter play HR derby.
pitchers walking and striking out and how an NL manager weaves that into the game plan is one of the many intricacies that make baseball such a great game for knowledgeable fans.

a few more details that might help you. Because of security concerns backpacks and bags are not allowed into the game- I was allowed to take a larger purse in with me, but I had three kids with me (all wearing red sox hats).
Unlike English football stadiums you will be able to move around from section to section- except to the bleachers (seats in the outfield). fans from the Mariners will be mixed in with the red sox fans.
At the start of the game during the national anthem please remove you hat- one of those patriotic signs of respect taken seriously in the US.
Traffic is terrible as are the crowds on the green line (subway to the park). Depending on where you're staying you might be better off walking. It's not a long walk from the Back Bay- walk through Kenmore Square not Boyleston St as it's easier.
As mentioned before food and drinks are way overpriced. Grab a water bottle to bring in with you. Get peanuts from the vendors outside the park- better than inside the park.
Vendors walk up and down selling hot dogs, cokes, peanuts, ice cream during the game. Watch how others order- yell, put your hand up, and lt the guy know how many you want. If you are sitting in seats (not your standing room area) you'll need to pass your money down the row to the vendor. Your change will be sent back down the row.

By the way, watch out for foul balls, especially down the third and first base lines, close to the field. Give your noggin' a throttling.

Highledge - I will be honoured to remove my hat during the Star Spangled Banner.

Can I ask another question please - this &quot;Designated Hitter&quot; thing seems a bit controversial - can someone shed a little light please? For newcomers, I live in England (but am actually Irish) and know little of the games you play in the colonies, but I'm very keen to learn!

Oh, No! Next he's going to ask us to explain the infield fly rule and no one understands that.

In the American League, the league to which the Red Sox belong, the pitcher does not bat. The team is allowed to have a player on the team who bats in place of the pitcher. This player is called the designated hitter (DH). This player only bats and does not play a position in the field. Generally DHs are very good hitters and poorer fielders. In the National League, there is no designated hitter. The pitcher must take his turn at bat. Pitchers are generally believed to be poor hitters. Though I always find it terrific when a pitcher hits a home run.

In Interleague play (when a AL team plays a NL team), the game follows the rule of the home team. So its funny to watch AL pitchers, who only bat maybe once or twice a season, flaying away at horrible pitchers.

You are watching an AL game - so you will see DHs.

Now about that infield fly rule. If there's a pop fly and ...

An Irishman...coming to Boston.... anxious for a Sam Adams... going to see the Red Sox... all you need now is a Yankess SU*KS T-shirt and you're an official native!

I suggest starting at Boston Works just across the street and down a bit (5 minutes maybe) from Fenway Pahhk. This place is a great brewery with every sort of beer imaginable and THE best onion rings I have ever had.

But don't fill up! You really need to experience the sausage sub from Yawkey Way. They're better and cheaper outside the park. Don't buy at the first vendor, walk up and down a bit because they are priced a bit different. Smother with peppas and onions with a layer of mustard and enjoy. I live in MA and couldn't get tickets!

MagicRat, though baseball is a fine game, it has been perverted in many ways over the years. The designated hitter rule was the worst perversion. The squeezing down of the strike zone gave too much advantage to the batter, sort of as if the goal mouth was widened in hockey or world football. The onset of several indoor baseball stadiums is disgusting and unAmerican. The dearth of day games even on Saturday stinks. The orchestrated cheering programed over public adress systems is Orwellian. Buying a beer or a hot dog at a stadium is a rip-off. Lastly, the steroid scandals has demeaned and corrupted the game. American sports fans are statistics/records freaks. Will Barry Bonds have an asterisk placed beside his name in the record book like poor old Roger Maris did. Seems to me that everything Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa have done in the last six or seven years is suspect and SMELLY.

one more thing. Pick up a copy of the Boston Globe and read the sports page. You'll learn a lot just be reading the articles.