Fenway Park is scheduled to open this week. With the Boston Red Sox more popular than ever, fans need to know certain self-help tips as they scramble for tickets to opening day and other big games.
Beth Lindstrom, Director of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, and her Consumer Awareness Team will be outside Fenway Park on Opening Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. just outside Gate A. The mission is to educate consumers on the best ways to purchase and identify an authentic Red Sox ticket.
"Consumers need to protect themselves when it comes to ticket resale, " said Lindstrom. "Opening Day is always a day filled with fun and excitement and we want it to stay that way. By educating Red Sox fans, we help ensure that the day won't be ruined by ticket fraud or the unscrupulous activities of ticket scalpers."
The Office of Consumer Affairs recommends the following to fans looking to buy tickets:
Buy From the Red Sox Directly:
The best way to ensure purchase of an authentic ticket is to buy tickets directly from the Red Sox. Believe it or not, there may be tickets for the Opening Day available on Friday at the ticket booth or online through the Red Sox SmartFan service. Anyone can become a member of SmartFan for $49.95. The initiation fee grants the consumers 2 Red Sox tickets to an upcoming game and exclusive access to purchase premium tickets from Red Sox Season Ticket Holders who have tickets they cannot use. Fans can sign-up for SmartFan online at www.redsox.com. With unpredictable weather conditions, it is possible that Opening Day tickets will be for sale
Ask Questions When Buying From a Ticket Reseller:
Make sure the seller is a licensed ticket broker or reseller with the state. Consumers can call the Office of Consumer Affairs toll free at 888-283-3757 or the Office of Public Safety at 617-727-3200 to confirm the license of a broker. Consumers should also use a credit card to pay for the tickets instead of cash. There may be some protection from the credit card company to dispute the charges if there is improper billing, a cancellation or fraud. In addition, a consumer should check the company's refund policy.
Beware When Buying a Ticket on the Street:
Consumers should beware - this is the riskiest proposition of all. You may find yourself dealing with an unlicensed ticket scalper that may charge you double or triple the face value of the ticket. Consumers will also be required to pay for the transaction in cash so there is no record of the sale and no recourse if the ticket is counterfeit.
Finally, consumers should know how to identify an authentic Red Sox ticket by looking for the following features on any Red Sox ticket they wish to purchase:
*Navy blue border
*Picture of a baseball player on the top of the ticket with the Red Sox logo in one of the two top corners
*Picture of a baseball on the bottom right corner that says "Fenway" on top of the baseball, "Park" on the bottom of the baseball and the word "Game" followed by the actual game number.
*Just below the picture of the player, check for the opponent's team name, date and time
* Below that your seat location should be printed
* On the bottom of the ticket is the ticket stub. Here, the game information and ticket information is repeated.
A consumer who still feels anxious and has a cell phone available, can contact the Boston Red Sox ticket office located at Fenway Park to authenticate the ticket, 1-877-REDSOX9.
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Driscoll Announces $75M Build for Mass Program
BOSTON — A $75 million initiative to aid municipalities in tackling major projects was announced by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on Tuesday.
Build for Mass, a revolving loan fund, was launched by the Healey-Driscoll administration to help cities and towns finance critical infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience, and economic development projects.
Administered by MassDevelopment, Build for Mass is the first municipal infrastructure loan program of its kind in Massachusetts, providing flexible, low-interest financing that helps communities move projects forward faster while maximizing available federal funding opportunities.
Driscoll made the announcement at the Massachusetts Municipal Association's meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission, an independent group that advocates for the interests of local governments in their relations with state and federal governments.
"Cities and towns know what projects their communities need, but too often they face financial barriers that slow those projects down," said Gov. Maura Healey. "Build for Mass gives communities another tool to repair aging infrastructure, lower energy costs, strengthen local economies and bring more federal dollars home to Massachusetts. We're making state investments go further while helping communities move important projects from the drawing board to construction without raising taxes or fees."
Driscoll, former mayor of Salem, said she knows how difficult it is to move important infrastructure projects forward when financing isn't readily available.
"Build for Mass gives local leaders the flexibility they need to bridge funding gaps, keep projects on track and deliver results for their residents. It's another example of our administration working alongside cities and towns to solve real challenges," she said.
It was the year that Arlene Vachereau, clad in a skirt suit and white gloves, had an interview with attorney Walter J. Donovan. She was immediately hired.
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The "Massachusetts Miracle" ushered in a boomtime — despite gloomy local indicators like the relocation of Sprague Electric, loss of Adams Print Works in a massive blaze, and Photech's bankruptcy.
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