Players react favorably to news of today's expected announcement that Fenway Park will be home to the defending World Champions for many years to come.

01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, March 23, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Confirming what has been obvious for some time, the Red Sox will today officially announce their intention to stay in Fenway Park for the foreseeable future, renouncing any effort to build a new ballpark in Boston anytime soon.

The news, hardly a surprise within the organization, was welcomed by Red Sox players, most of whom had already assumed that Fenway would continue to serve as the club's home.

"I think it's great," said pitcher Tim Wakefield last night after the Sox dropped a 6-4 decision to the Cincinnati Reds at City of Palms Park. "(Fenway) has been part of the tradition of the Boston Red Sox for the last 93 years and what they've done with the ballpark the last few years has been amazing -- not only to accommodate us players, but to accommodate the fans."

Indeed, ownership's investment in the ballpark -- from putting the Monster Seats atop the left-field wall, to the seating pavillion over the right-field roof to additional areas on the concourse -- long ago signaled that a new ballpark wasn't in the plans.

Additionally, the organization has made numerous improvements for the players, including this off-season when the team constructed a new indoor battting cage behind the dugout, expanded the

weight room and made renovations to the clubhouse area.

Only a number of years ago, before the ballclub was put up for sale by former CEO John Harrington, there were plans to replace Fenway and build a new ballpark -- either across the street from the present location, or across town on the waterfront.

But with little public money available to aid in construction and the cost of land acquisition skyrocketing in Boston, that wasn't feasible for the ownership group headed by John Henry.

Instead, the Sox will stay put in the oldest and most tradition-bound ballpark in the major leagues.

"I think a lot of players who've played there didn't want to see a new stadium," said outfielder Trot Nixon. "They just wanted to see improvements. As much tradition as that ballpark has, you don't want to see that go away. I know other guys on other teams enjoy coming to Fenway Park."

Some players in the past have heard complaints from friends and family members that the seating is cramped and the sightlines aren't optimal, but Bronson Arroyo was happy with the news.

"I'd rather play there and be maybe a little uncomfortable," Arroyo said, "then go to some of the newer ballparks. I'd rather go to Fenway or Wrigley Field."

The Sox sold out every game last season and expect to do so again with a slightly larger seating capacity. Fenway is as much a draw for some ticket-buyers as the team itself.

"It's not a tourist attraction as much as it is a baseball cathedral," said catcher Jason Varitek.

Varitek, too, praised ownership for making the park more player-friendly, citing the new batting facilities as well as newly constructed video rooms.

"We had to start catching up with the Joneses," said Varitek, "or else we would lose players. It would deter some guys because players coming from newer (facilities) would expect the same things."

Manager Terry Francona labeled the news "wonderful. I commend ownership for making the improvements for us."

Still unanswered is how the Sox can make the ballpark -- not only the game's oldest, but also the smallest in terms of seating capacity -- financially viable. While the club has set attendance records in each of the last five seasons, it continues to charge the highest average ticket price in the game.

Fenway is some 20,000 seats smaller than Yankee Stadium, and the rival Yankees dwarf the Sox in revenue. Still, the new ownership continues to mine new revenue streams through sponsorships and other corporate avenues and will have the second-biggest payroll in baseball this season.

"I'm sure they could pull in more fans with a 50,000-seat stadium," said Arroyo, "but at the same time, it takes away the (uniqueness) of Fenway."

Varitek, who spends half the game crouched behind the plate, jokingly shrugged off the many improvements being made: "It's still going to be dirt where I am."