The Boston Licensing Board on Thursday approved the Red Sox' request to "expand sales of liquor to three more stations" in Fenway Park and to "allow sales of all alcohol until the end of the seventh inning," according to Brian MacQuarrie of the BOSTON GLOBE. The cutoff for alcohol sales in '13 was 2 1/2 hours "from the first pitch or the end of the seventh inning, whichever came first." However, with more games "lasting more than three hours," the elimination of a time limit "could result in an increase of alcohol sales." A "wide range of mixed drinks" will now be sold at eight locations in the ballpark. The plan was endorsed by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's office, which prior to the '11 season raised concerns "when the team initially broached selling mixed drinks" at Fenway. Meanwhile, approval also was given Thursday for the team to sell beer in "light aluminum and plastic wide-mouth bottles, in addition to the plastic cups that have been a staple for years." Red Sox execs indicated that a reason for the change is to "curb the long lines that often form at concessions stands." Licensing Board Chair Nicole Murati Ferrer said that the panel "did not consider bottles to be a safety issue." Team officials said that the move to allow bottles "is following an industry trend and that wide-mouth openings will lessen their danger as a potential missile" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/13).
