Fans who stroll into Fenway Park for Opening Day Thursday with their parka jackets and winter hats will notice lots of changes to America's Most Beloved Ballpark ™. Red Sox ownership has invested more than $300 million into renovating Fenway since John Henry purchased the club 17 years ago, improving facets of the game day experience on an annual basis.
This season is no different.
Ironically, the most discussed alteration, changing the name of Yawkey Way back to Jersey Street, has not occurred yet. The city commission postponed the vote last week, following a lengthy public meeting featuring advocates on both sides of the debate.
But there are lots of new, and less divisive, features inside the park. The five most noteworthy (according to yours truly) are below:
New gluttonous concession offerings
There is no reason why stadium food should solely consist of hot dogs, hamburgers and exorbitantly priced beverages. Fenway Park has dramatically expanded its concession offerings in recent years, and this season will feature the biggest changes yet. The star addition to the menu, for those who prioritize eating delicious food over clogged arteries, are the tater tots topped with savory bacon bits, sour cream and fresh chives.
But the gluttony doesn't end there. On select weekend day games, there will be Crème Brulee French Toast with house made pastry cream and chocolate ganache, Vermont maple syrup, and Fenway Farms strawberry sauce, topped with powdered sugar. Cookie dough will also be available with or without soft serve ice cream.
There are healthier options, too. This season, Fenway will offer a seasoned pulled chicken taco served in a flour tortilla. And for the bulk of April, when scarves are more visible in the stands than shorts or t-shirts, ice cream stands will instead serve hot soups such as chili, clam chowder and chicken noodle.
Expanded netting
Fans at Fenway Park were hit with broken bats in both 2015 and 2016. As a result, the Red Sox –– like many other clubs –– have added protective netting behind home plate and the surrounding areas. For the 2018 season, the netting has been extended beyond the dugouts.
More seats
Fenway Park is increasing its capacity once again. A new row of seating in left field has been added past the Visitors' Dugout to accomodate 30 additional seats.
New places to drink
There are few activities more synonymous with summer than slugging down a couple of beers at Fenway on a gorgeous summer night –– as long as you Uber home, of course. As part of a new partnership with Samuel Adams, the Right Field Roof Deck has been rebranded the "Sam Deck." It features a large bar and lounge seating area with many Sam Adams offerings, including its variety of beers and food items such as nachos with Sam Adams-infused beef chili and steak frites with Sam Adams marinated prime steak tip.
In addition, there is a new Sam Adams-sponsored Saloon near the third base concourse.
Special field-level seating
The Jim Beam Dugout is a new field-level seating area situated beyond the Red Sox dugout, where fans can sit in an area with bats, helmets and a giant Gatorade cooler. It's like you're a Major Leaguer, except you get to relax and watch the game rather than play in it. The area accommodates up to 25 people.
