Boston has a new AA affiliate in 2002, as Portland, Maine replaced Trenton New Jersey on the organizations minor league ladder.
As a result, Portlands Hadlock Field
is undergoing renovations, adding Fenway Parks most unique
features to its own, including a likeness of the famed Green Monster
in left field.
"It's a likeness of Fenway Park's left field wall, not a
replica," says Portland GM Charlie Eshbach.
Its not quite the same length. We moved our scoreboard
to make it part of the wall"
In late September 2002 all existing billboards were removed in
preparation of the construction, which began on October 28.
The new design leaves one layer of the ubiquitous
minor league billboards on the bottom of the wall.
The remainder will be green.
The existing scoreboard panel was removed and placed into the
Wall for the scoreboard.
The wall at Hadlock will be the same height as the Green Monster,
37 feet.
The length will be 80 feet shorter than the Wall spans at Fenway.
If the Green Monster replica wasnt enough, the Sea Dogs
have imported versions of the Citgo sign and Coke Bottles to Hadlock
Field, each of which will be displayed above the Wall.
The Citgo sign arrived in Portland on March 11, the Coke Bottles
the following day.
The Citgo sign is backlit and measures 14 feet by 14 feet (Bostons
measures 60 feet by 60 feet).
The backside of the sign will display the Sea Dogs logo and face
I-295.
Wall Comparisons | Fenway Park | Hadlock Field |
Left field dimension | * 310 feet | 315 feet |
Height of Wall | 37 feet | 37 feet |
Length of Wall | 240 feet | 160 feet |
Height of Net | ** 23 feet | 12 feet |
Scoreboard | Manual | Electronic |
Material of Wall | Hard plastic | Wood |
*
For 56 years (1936-1995) Fenway Park was also 315 down the left
field line
In 1995 the measurement was revised to 310 feet
**
The Red Sox removed the net in 2003 and added 280 Green Monster
seats, priced at $50 each