Open House scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18 will feature new Mobile Showcase
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2017) – Spring Training is almost here, and the Boston Red Sox have a number of events scheduled to kick off the 2017 season including a free, public open house on Feb. 18.
The Red Sox’ equipment truck departed from Fenway Park on Monday, Feb. 6 and is expected to be unloaded in Fort Myers on Thursday, Feb. 9. Truck Day is presented by JetBlue Airways.
The truck is packed with everything the team needs during Spring Training including 275 cases of baseballs (1,650 dozen and 19,800 single baseballs), 60 dozen bats, 20 cases of Dubble Bubble gum, a pallet each of Giant seeds and Spitz seeds, and 50 gallons of laundry detergent.
Every player and staff member starts out with four pairs of pants (two home, two road), two Spring Training jerseys, one home white jersey, one ballpark jersey and one St. Patrick’s Day jersey. With roughly 60 players and 30 staff members including coaches, coordinators and on field ballpark staff, that creates a lot of clothing and laundry.
Pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout on Feb. 14.
Guided public tours of JetBlue Park will begin Feb. 13. Tours will be conducted daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the hour on non-game days until April 7. Tickets are $7 per person, and children 12 years old and younger are free. Tickets go on sale the day of the tour at 10 a.m. at the box office and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
VIP pregame tours are also available on game days for $40 per person and $15 for children 12 years old and younger. Reservations must be made in advance and require a ticket to that day’s game.
The first full squad workout will take place Feb. 17. Workouts are free and open to the public.
A free Open House is scheduled for Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at JetBlue Park. Family-friendly activities will include inflatables on the field, player autographs, discounted concessions, face-painting and magicians, meet and greet/photo opportunities with Wally the Green Monsters and his little sister Tessie, self-guided tours of the park and more.
Prior to the Open House, fans can get an up close and personal experience with Wally the Green Monster and his sister Tessie at a breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. The price for the meal is $35 per adult and $20 for children 12 years old and younger. Children two years old and younger are free. Check-in will start at 8:30 a.m. Space is limited, and advance reservations must be made by calling Matt Thome at 239-226-4707 or emailing mthome@redsox.com.
The Open House will also feature the new Red Sox Showcase powered by T-Mobile. This is the first of its kind mobile experience. The 14-foot box truck transforms into a full-blown Fenway experience including a pitching accuracy challenge, Green Monster photo backdrop, batting cage where fans can choose to walk up to their favorite player’s music, steal second challenge, highlight reels, Red Sox virtual reality lockers, authentic player jerseys, bats and helmets, and more.
According to Katie Haas, vice president of Florida business operations for the Red Sox, the Showcase will be at every Spring Training home game and is available for private rentals.
The weekly Fenway South Farm & Flea Market continues every Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March 27. It includes fresh produce, cheeses, pastas, seafood, baked breads, meats, herbs, ready-to-eat meals, plants, flowers, crafts, soaps, candles, clothing and more from local vendors including Stamper Cheese, Doug’s Seafood, Bonez Brothers BBQ, Mr. FunGuy Mushroom Farmers, LaBelle Blueberries, Coasting Donuts, Pink Lemonade Jewelry, DoTerra Essential Oils, LuLaRoe Danielle Bove Clothing, Sunrise Citrus, Dynasty Guacamole, La Cubanita Café, Avery Love Designs, Authentic Maine Lobster, Heritage Pointe Honey, Veronica’s Bakery and Madam Mac. Flea market vendors are welcome and encouraged to drop in for the day to sell their new or gently used items, antiques, etc. Spaces will be assigned upon arrival at 10 a.m. The market will be closed on Feb. 27 and March 20 due to Spring Training games.
Parking is free during the weekly events.
Additional events include:
Feb. 20:
Annual Spring Training Week of Service Volunteer Day
12th Annual Evening with the Red Sox at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers, benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
Boston Tee Party at the Forrest Country Club in Fort Myers
Feb. 21:
23rd Annual Boston Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Golf Classic at the Forrest Country Club in Fort Myers
March 14:
20th Annual Diamond Dinner
The Red Sox play its first exhibition game on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 1:05 p.m. against the Northeastern University Huskies. The team will play a total of 19 home games, including 17 Grapefruit League games and a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team USA on March 9. Red Sox Spring Training is presented by CVS Health.
