By Harriet L. Blake

The Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox have more in common than just good baseball records. They are also two of a few major league teams that are taking a proactive approach on the environment. Other teams pursuing green-friendly agendas are the Minnesota Twins, the San Francisco Giants, the Seattle Mariners and the Washington Nationals, according to Major League Baseball spokesperson Susan Goodenow.

The Indians have joined forces with Green Energy Ohio and Doty and Miller Architects to add solar power to Jacobs Field. The installation of a solar electric system, which would reduce energy consumption by providing 8.4 kilowatts of clean, renewable electricity, will make the Cleveland stadium the first American League ballpark to go solar, Ms. Goodenow says.

“The Cleveland Indians are committed to exploring the opportunities to help preserve the environment through the use of advanced energy,” says Jim Folk, vice president of ballpark operations. The Indians also will be educating fans about their new solar installation. An LCD monitor at Jacobs Field will display the output of the solar electric system. It also will be available online. Later in the 2008 season, the team will host a Solar Day in celebration of the project.

In Boston, the Red Sox have partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to make Fenway Park (pictured) “more green.” Among the initiatives that are in the works: a recycling program, improved trash removal and the consideration of solar panels.

The solar panels would be used on the roof of Fenway Park’s fifth level and provide a pollution-free source of energy to heat different areas of the ballpark. The Waste Management company already has put recycling bins throughout the park to ensure that fans do their part. Meanwhile, ARAMARK, the concession company for Fenway, is incorporating more locally grown produce in the items it sells.

Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino says that, “We are not only committed to preserving the history, beauty and integrity of Fenway Park, but we are also determined to enhance the park’s environmental attributes so it can serve our team, our fans and our community in the 21st century as well as it did in the 20th century.”

Photo Courtesy the Boston Red Sox

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