Fighting Fenway Fees

Many Red Sox fans are not able to afford a chance to take photos of the monster from their seats at Fenway.

Despite the steady rise in ticket prices, and the fall of the economy, the fans remain supportive. The only difference is the ways which they show their support. Red Sox fans continue to search for other ways to show support, even when buying a ticket to a game at Fenway becomes a challenge.

Thanks to the new Yankee Stadium, Fenway is now ranked No. 2 in highest average price tickets. No. 2 out of 30 teams does not mean cheap tickets. With the average price of a ticket at Fenway Park $50, many fans need to find an alternative way to enjoy the Red Sox.

The average price for a ticket increased 0.3% between the 2008-2009 seasons at Fenway Park. Fans find themselves paying an average of $25 for bleacher seats if they are able to find them at face value.

Many fans have to result to online sites such as StubHub or Aceticket.com where prices for that same ticket could be more. This forces many fans that would go to multiple games to result to attending fewer games if any.

This does not leave members of Red Sox Nation discouraged though. They just become creative, and find other ways to support their team.

Many fans make the decision to go to Fenway Park, even if they are not able to get into the park. Walking around Fenway Park before the game is considered a must by many fans. Some enjoy it so much they decided to hang around Yawkey Way during the game. Sometimes this decision pays off in a big way.

Fans rejoice outside of Fenway Park. Even while the game is going on, many find it fun to hang around and show their support on the other side of the green monster.

“I decided I was just going to hang around Fenway, maybe find a bar to sit at when I was just given tickets,” said Aaron Soucy, a longtime Red Sox fan. “This guy came running up to me saying he needed to leave now and would sell me his two tickets for $30. They were worth $50 each.”

While some fans would prefer not to hang around Yawkey Way, the idea of watching the Sox in the bar suits them perfectly. With many people wanting to enjoy the game in groups, but the cost of going to Fenway being too expensive many fans result in their local bars to watch the Red Sox.

“I used to go every now and then, but lately I realized I have more fun going out with friends to watch the game,” said Michael Madson, a Worcester native. “It still gives me a chance to meet new people, and the cool part is I do not have to leave immediately after the game here.”

Bars such as the Brewery provide several big screen TVs so fans are able to witness every second of the game with friends and drinks, yet not have to pay the price of a ticket.

For those fans that have the need to sit in a stadium to watch, an alternative is to watch the future stars of Red Sox Nation. Three minor league teams for the Red Sox play home games in New England. Fans in southern New England have a chance to attend a game at McCoy stadium to witness the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Tickets to a Paw Sox game are $6 for adults, and the highest they go are $10 for box seats. With many of the Pawtucket Red Sox one step away from joining, or rejoining the major leagues the price is one that can not be beaten.

For the neighbors to the North, the Portland Sea Dogs, The AA affiliate of the Red Sox, offer tickets at $7 for general admission, and have no seats priced higher then $9.

With tickets as low as $4 and no higher then $8 the Lowell Spinners provide fans the chance to see young talented players who may find them playing in Fenway.

The Spinners have developed current Red Sox stars such as Justin Masterson, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, and Kevin Youkilis, as well as other major leaguers such as Hanley Ramirez and David Eckstein.

LeLachuer Park and the Lowell Spinners provide a chance for the fans of the Lowell area to see the stars of tommorow for the Red Sox play today.

If it is not the Red Sox organization, but more just a chance to see a baseball game altogether, the Worcester Tornadoes are the chance for any fan of the national pastime from central Massachusetts. Tickets to see the former CanAm league Champions start at $6 for General Admission, and go as high as $18 for luxury seats.

Just outside of Downtown Worcester, The Tornadoes offer a quick ride to see a baseball game for any fan around the Central Massachusetts are, at low prices.

While Fenway Park has high prices to see a game, several stadiums within a day’s worth of driving provide many fans a chance to see the game along with taking a mini-vacation. Divisional rivals Toronto and Baltimore offer tickets for as low as $15.

While the cost may be more to travel to the game, if it is incorporated into a vacation with many people, the costs can be cut down to the point where the trip equals the price of a seat at Fenway purchased on an online site.

As mentioned in previous entries, Stadiums such as Camden Yards (shown above) offer low prices on several seats, and draw attention to many Red Sox fans who wish to travel in support of their team.

“I went to Toronto with a group of friends, we each got tickets for two games, and ended up at a cheap hotel outside of town,” said Jimmy Mueller. “It would have cost the same to see a game a Fenway in any seat not bleachers, and we earned two games, and a mini vacation out of it.”

No matter where they are members of Red Sox Nation will continue to support Boston, and find a way to be at Fenway by any means possible. For the times when they are not able to they will always have a backup plan to see the Sox.

“There is no way to take the passion and desire to go see a game out of a die hard Red Sox fan,” said Mueller. “The only thing that will happen is they will become creative, and find other ways to watch them win.”