BOSTON — Monday marks an exciting day for Red Sox fans everywhere -- Happy Home Opener!
EVENT INFORMATION
Fans headed to the game are encouraged to take the T and to leave early. The gates will open around noon.
[ >> Click here for the Commuter Rail schedule ]
The big Home Opener ceremonies, including team introductions and the National Anthem, will begin at 1:30 p.m. The game starts at 2:05 p.m.
[ >> PHOTOS: Preparations for 2016 Red Sox Home Opener ]
Families headed to the game can enter though Gate K on Van Ness Street. The gate is specifically for kids and features a new virtual reality headset that brings you on the field.
[ >> PHOTOS: Opening Day at Fenway throughout the years ]
FORECAST
Expect clouds, breezy winds and temps in the mid-50s for the first pitch. There's a chance of a passing shower, but things should stay dry, especially early on in the game.
[ >> Click here for the full Home Opener forecast ]
LINEUP
[ >> PHOTOS: Red Sox roster for 2016 season ]
SAFETY CHANGES
The biggest change at Fenway this year will be the extended protective netting.
The netting now stretches more than 200-feet from dugout to dugout, guarding fans from foul balls that can rocket into the stands in the blink of an eye.
Last season, one fan
[ suffered serious injuries at Fenway when a broken bat hit her ]
. Major League Baseball is now mandating the netting changes.
This is also the first time fans won't see or be able to use any tobacco, including smokeless chew and electronic cigarettes, in the park. Boston was the second city in the country to ban smokeless tobacco at ballparks, and this is the first Opening Day since the ban took effect.