BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox will present their Opening Day ceremonies before the commencement of their 123rd home season, and their 112th at Fenway Park this Thursday, March 30. Fans attending the game are asked to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m. to enjoy the ceremony. The club plays the Baltimore Orioles at 2:10 p.m.
Thursday’s game is the first opportunity for fans to see the debut of several new players, including 2022 Roberto Clemente Award winner Justin Turner and 2023 World Baseball Classic Champion Masataka Yoshida. The opening day pitching matchup will feature Red Sox pitcher Corey Kluber and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kyle Gibson. The new rules implemented by Major League Baseball will also be in effect and have resulted in game times being cut by an average of 26 minutes in Spring Training.
Before the game, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines. The giant American flag will be draped over the left field wall and presented by members of Hanscom Air Force Base under the direction of Brigadier General James Pabis of the Vermont National Guard. The national anthem will be performed by award-winning recording artist and Springfield native Michelle Brooks-Thompson.
The longtime tradition of a flyover on Opening Day will be maintained with two F-15C’s from the 104th Fighter Wing flown out of Westfield, Massachusetts and two F-35A’s from the 158th Fighter Wing flown out of Burlington, Vermont.
Before the festivities, an Air Force swearing-in ceremony will take place at Fenway Park for 16 Air Force recruits at 9 a.m. on the warning track near “Canvas Alley.”
Red Sox Opening Day, including the ceremony, will be broadcast live on NESN beginning with their pregame show at noon. WEEI’s Opening Day broadcast begins at 1:10 p.m.
Fenway Park gates open two hours before the game for all fans on Opening Day (12:10 p.m.) and 1½ hours for all other regular season games.
To kick off the 2023 season, the Red Sox Foundation is guaranteeing a $25,000 jackpot as part of their Opening Series 50/50 Raffle taking place March 27 to April 2. The contest will run from 12 p.m. on Monday, March 27 until the end of the 6th inning of the Red Sox-Orioles game on Sunday, April 2. The Red Sox 50/50 Raffle is presented by DraftKings and is open to fans located in Massachusetts and over 18 years of age at the time of purchase. See the official rules for full details and redsox.com/5050 to purchase tickets.
Fenway Park’s new bag policy is now in effect. Bags must be single-compartment and no larger than 12"x12"x6". Backpacks, backpack-style purses, duffel bags, and other multi-compartment bags are not permitted. Exceptions will be made for diaper bags and bags containing essential medical equipment. To speed up the entry process, the Red Sox will continue to encourage the use of single-compartment clear bags for the 2023 season. Clear bags must also be no larger than 12”x12”x6”. Clear backpacks are not allowed.
The Red Sox and Fenway Park require all fans to follow the club’s code of conduct. Fans who need assistance during games can contact the security hotline at 617-226-6411 or text the word SECURITY and a brief message to 23215.
A new ADA compliant assisted listening device technology called the Listen EVERYWHERE app is a new feature at Fenway Park this season allowing fans to conveniently stream game audio directly to any compatible mobile phone or tablet in real time using Bluetooth technology while connected to Fenway Park Wifi. Directions to downloading the Listen EVERYWHERE app on a personal device are available in the Fan Services section of the MLB Ballpark app. Fans can also visit Fan Services booths at Gate B and E to pick up an assisted listening device for their use during the game.
The Red Sox Kid Nation program returns this season as a one tier program free for all families. Kid Nation offers our youngest fans the opportunity to experience baseball in a more meaningful way through exclusive ticket offers, prizes, and benefits. This year, the program will include an incentives program with “badges” that can be earned by participating in elevated Kid Nation events, online STEM worksheets, watching NESN Clubhouse, and more. Kid Nation will continue to include a free kid’s ticket to a Red Sox game with the purchase of an adult ticket. Fans can sign up their child by visiting redsox.com/kidnation.
The popular Student9s Program has returned this season, providing high school and college students the opportunity to purchase $9 tickets with a valid student ID at every home game. Young fans can register to receive student offers by visiting redsox.com/students.
Fans are encouraged to take public transportation to Fenway Park and should check the MBTA’s website for the latest service schedules.