Oldest ballpark gets social-distancing makeover

BOSTON -- As the Red Sox returned to work for Friday’s start of Summer Camp, they did so with Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in baseball, reconfigured in many creative ways to create a safe and socially distanced space for all players and staff.

Most notable: Instead of using the clubhouse, lockers were moved up to suites, with two players designated to each suite.

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The Red Sox, given the space confinements of their facility, probably had the biggest challenge of all 30 teams to create a safe camp. Early indications are that team officials have risen to that challenge.

“The guys like the suites we have them in so far. They say it’s pretty cool up there, so I think that has worked well and we’ll see how everything goes,” said manager Ron Roenicke. “At the end of the day, I’ll know a lot better on what issues were and we’ll try to fix it.”

Like everything regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, each day can present new challenges. But Day 1 of the three-week Summer Camp seemed to run as smoothly as possible.

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The right-field concourse, typically used for concession stands and a walkway for fans, was transformed into an expanded training and conditioning area that includes a new open-air batting cage.

There is also an auxiliary space that includes artificial turf with bikes and weights. A covered pitcher’s mound was installed in the Big Concourse under the bleachers, creating more space for pitchers to get their work in.

The trainer’s room has been moved upstairs as well.

“More ventilation there,” Roenicke said. “They can spread out. It sounds like, from the medical people, that the more fresh air you can get into places -- the more circulation -- the better you are. So that’s why we did that.”

Players worked out in small groups spaced out over about six hours.

“I have to say the Red Sox are doing a tremendous job of keeping social distance, of keeping everything extremely clean, going out of their way to make sure players are separated when they don’t have to be around each other,” said Red Sox righty Collin McHugh. “Staff is separated when they don’t have to be around us. Hopefully we are mitigating as much risk as possible.

“It’s never going to be a risk-free environment, we know that. That’s the environment we know we’re coming back to play in. So there are risks every day coming to the park. There are risks for the general population going out and getting groceries, and everybody has to make sure they are playing their part in being as safe as possible to protect everybody in the middle of this pandemic.”

Roenicke will do whatever he can as he supervises the daily workouts leading up to Opening Day on July 23 or 24.

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“Still trying to get comfortable with the spacing, and I know one time we probably had too many guys a little close together, and we have to keep reminding them and I’ve got to remind myself also when I go to talk to somebody,” Roenicke said. “I think the staff is trying to keep their mask on as best they can, so if we happen to get a little close, we have a mask on.

“The players, you just remind them, and I think they’ll get used to it. But as far as the workouts have gone, so far it’s good.”

The pitchers and catchers worked out in the morning, followed later in the day by position players.

“We were trying to figure out things and how we go about and try to keep a pace and a rhythm so we’re not having people stand around," Roenicke said. "When we put together the schedule, that was kind of the main objective -- not to have guys standing around and hanging out.”

As socially distanced a day as it was, it was a big deal for baseball to be back at Fenway Park.

“It’s cool to be back at Fenway,” McHugh said. “It’s different to be at this version of Fenway, different from how it has been in the past. It’s great to see the teammates, see the staff, kind of get our feet wet again.”