What happens when one of baseball's more popular teams, a bunch of ravenous snowbirds, and a legion of Japanese fans and media converge on Fort Myers, Fla.?
The Red Sox aren't really sure.
"The most people we ever had for spring training workouts was after the World Series in 2004," said John Blake, Red Sox vice president of media relations. "We had 20,000 people for 10 days. We're going to gear up as if we're looking at that, but that's kind of an unknown right now."
To get a better idea of what to expect, Blake said the Red Sox talked to the Seattle Mariners shortly after Boston signed Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Mariners brought Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki to Seattle in 2001. One thing Seattle told them to expect: A large group of Japanese media. About 100 Japanese media members have been credentialed for Fort Myers.
"We're trying to make preparations so we can respond to more media," said Blake. "We're going to be prepared."
The Red Sox have ordered three press trailers (there is usually one) to be parked outside the ballpark in Fort Myers. There will be a special interview area for Matsuzaka and newly signed reliever Hideki Okajima. The team has also hired a Japanese-speaking media coordinator to better communicate with members of the Japanese media.
The team is also making improvements to City of Palms Park. There will be a new third base deck behind the grandstand and a new ladies room. The team is also renovating the old men's room.
Just how many Japanese fans will come to Fort Myers is still an unknown. The city of Fort Myers has plans to accommodate Japanese baseball fans should they come, according to Lee Rose, communications manager at the Fort Myers visitor convention bureau.
"It's traditionally not an area visited by Japanese people," said Rose. "Certainly we're expecting more Japanese media. We're getting press materials translated into Japanese. But it's difficult to look into the crystal ball."
Rose said the Red Sox have always been a major draw for the city. The team sells out all of its spring training games, so the increased attendance should be more of an issue for the first 10 days of workouts.
At least one establishment in Fort Myers has plans in place to cater to Japanese fans and media. The Sanibel Harbour Hotel in Fort Myers created a flyer to distribute to Japanese media members and fans. The hotel is considering hiring a Japanese chef, including thermoses in the rooms for hot water and green tea, and possibly adding Japanese stations to its cable packages.
"It is important to understand that Japanese baseball fans will travel, and our fan base includes both Japanese-based travelers and Asian-Americans," said Johanna Bayley, who does marketing for the hotel.
Despite the expected increase in attendance, the team should not be placing more restrictions on the fans, according to Marty Ray, one of the team's media relations assistants.
"It will be similar to what we had last year," said Ray. "Spring training is known for this. It's why folks travel down to Florida. There is more opportunity for fan interaction."
However, the Red Sox are currently compiling a Japanese-language map of the stadium and surrounding area, and Blake said he is still contemplating the access areas for fans and media.
"I'm looking into what is going to be open," he said.
While the team's current preparations are focused on the Japanese media, Blake said the Red Sox would look into translating materials for fans into Japanese if needed. The team has had discussions of putting together a Japanese-language program, but so far those talks are on hold.
"If we need that kind of thing for fans we can accommodate that," he said.
