Worcester County

Red Sox fans watch ALCS game at Polar Park

WORCESTER, Mass. — Houston, Red Sox fans don’t have a problem. Even though the first two games are being played at Minute Maid Park, Red Sox fans are gathering in large crowds to watch the series.

The Sox won’t be back at Fenway until Games 3 and 4 this Monday and Tuesday. But fans like to watch the game together and get that atmosphere even though the team is away, and they got to do that last night in Worcester.

Polar Park opened up its doors to Sox fans last night. Fans were allowed in the DCU Club, which is on the top level, to watch Game 1 of the ALCS. The game was on the jumbotron and all the TVs in the ballpark. Most would’ve thought there was a game being played in that very park because of the long lines at the concession stands.

Boston 25 News talked to fans who say while it’s not the same as being at Fenway for a playoff game, this experience was the next best thing.

“It was terrific,” said one Sox fan. “My brother called me up and said, ‘Do you want to come to the game?’ I was home watching the game, and I said, ‘It’s a perfect night. I’m here!’ I had never been here before. It was great.”

The entrance to get into Polar Park is free. Fans have to pay for concessions. So far, the turnout the mayor says has been great.

“Yeah, the Yankee-Red Sox game that they had, they had more than 400 people here, which was pretty cool,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty.

Throughout the season, some Sox players did rehab assignments and played in Woo Sox games.

“And the interesting part, the starting pitcher tonight, Chris Sale, he rehabbed here during the year,” said Petty. “And during the last playoff game that they won, I think there were three or four players who were in that game came through here with the Worcester Red Sox.”

Polar Park won’t be hosting Sox fans for game two this afternoon. Holy Cross is playing Colgate in the park this evening. But fans are welcome to watch the game there Monday and Tuesday nights again for free. Meantime, tickets for the ALCS are still being sold. The cheapest tickets for the games at Fenway are going for about $150 each.