New Red Sox Spring Training Stadium: Yes, There Is A Monster

by Randy Booth on Feb 25, 2010 12:07 PM EST in News

The first glance at the Red Sox's new spring training site in Fort Myers is now available, thanks to the Boston Globe. And yes, of course, there is a replica Monster in left field.

The new park seats 11,000, a nice number for spring training. But that Monster just gets to me. Just because it has to do with the Red Sox, doesn't mean there has to be a Monster. There's one in Portland, Maine, and there's another in Lowell, Mass. I think it's starting to become old hat.

Why don't they mix it up a bit and start a new tradition? How about an extremely low wall in left field? How about a fence that measures 480 feet to left field foul pole? Let's just let Jacoby Ellsbury run, run and run out there. The Red Sox get to deal with the Monster for at least 81 games a season; let's make it a little more fun for them come spring training, right?

Maybe the Sox should bring back Duffy's Cliff for the new spring training stadium. That'd be classy. It'd also give Ellsbury a workout snagging fly balls. And hey, if anyone can cover The Cliff, it'd be Ellsbury and Mike Cameron.

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I'd want my minor leaguers coming up knowng how to deal with The wall in LF

As opposed to having to learn on the fly at the MLB level.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Feb 25, 2010 12:13 PM EST reply actions

The Monster is similar

But I still don’t think that’s the reason they do it. It’s just a gimmick to get people into the ballpark.

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by Randy Booth on Feb 25, 2010 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

Minor Leage baseball teams resorting to gimmicks to fill seats?

Well I never!!

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Feb 25, 2010 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Haha

by Schulz on Feb 25, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Don't forget about transfers

It’ll be nice for Cameron to adjust his play with the Monster. Every little bit of practice will help him come opening day.

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Feb 25, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

they still have to buld this right? so cameron will be gone by then

by cheekmeister on Feb 26, 2010 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

wow

this stadium is beautiful

by steelersfamily7@aol.com on Feb 25, 2010 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Yea our guys get to practice fielding the minster...

But it also gives any other team we play the same practice. How bout they put it in right field and let JD give it a shot

by NDirishMV on Feb 25, 2010 12:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Sells seats and kind of prepares players for Fenway.

Win-win.

Or more gimmick-win. Whatever.

by Push on Feb 25, 2010 1:22 PM EST reply actions

I think it'd be silly if they had the monster but different dimensions

but since the field is the same dimensions as fenway, makes a lot of sense to me. Besides, why shouldn’t people from florida be able to feel like they got to go to fenway?

by wolf9309 on Feb 25, 2010 1:33 PM EST reply actions

Because they may not shell out to visit the real one?

Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway

by Sean O on Feb 25, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think we have to worry about people shelling out the greenbacks for a day at Fenway

by Schulz on Feb 25, 2010 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

Don't forget about the

“Red Sox Destinations” insanity.

Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway

by Sean O on Feb 26, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

No. THIS is gimmicky

LINK

They painted on fans…..

Still, I would love to play on one of those fields….

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Feb 25, 2010 2:29 PM EST reply actions

I'm guessing the GCL team will move with the ST complex?

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Feb 25, 2010 3:27 PM EST reply actions

I hope they put up a replica net behind it like it used to be. Or maybe some replica monster seats. and a replica volvo advertisement. or a replica coke bottle.

What's the matter? The CIA got you pusing too many pencil?

by adubson on Feb 25, 2010 3:43 PM EST reply actions