Baseball finally returns to Fenway Park this week. On Friday, the Red Sox will play their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles, and it officially will be spring in New England once again.

As a public service, I’m here to provide a primer for Mainers heading south for Opening Day or any other Sox game this season. The team, park, and city have undergone some changes since last fall — changes you need to know about.

The new seats. No secret here. The 280 seats added above the Green Monster are the most striking change at Fenway since the addition of the 600 Club (now the .406 Club) behind home plate.

Despite the controversy surrounding the seats this winter, they look fabulous. They will be some of the best seats in the house.

They’re also sold out for the season. However, there will be 24 additional standing-room tickets sold each game day for a modest $20 apiece. With slightly more than 300 folks hanging out above the Monster, left field will be the most happening place at Fenway this season.

There are also new seats on the field beyond the dugouts, cutting down what little foul territory there was. You can bet the pitching staff isn’t happy about that.

The new connector. There are three entrances to the new Monster Seats, and the ensuing access allows fans to walk a lap around the entire ballpark. Even if you’re not sitting above the wall, you owe it to yourself to take a stroll above the third-base seats, up above the Green Monster, and back around through the bleachers.

The new first baseman. More accurately, one of the new first basemen. Kevin Millar ripped his way through Tampa Bay to start the season and brings a new level of joy and energy to the Sox field and clubhouse. The former Portland Sea Dog (who once scored in Score-O during the intermission of a Pirates game) drives a Harley, swings hard, and is a lot of fun to watch. He was days away from becoming a Chunichi Dragon this winter and is loving his second lease on a major-league life. He’ll be a Fenway favorite by the time Baltimore leaves town.

The new bridge. The Big Dig is far from over, but the new tunnel and adjoining Zakim Bridge are architectural marvels. If you’re coming down from Maine, don’t get off on Route 1. Instead, follow Interstate 95 (128) to I-93 South and enter from the new bridge. If you’ve got an extra 30 minutes, drive all the way through the tunnel to the South Bay exit, then come back north to Storrow Drive. You’ll enjoy the ride.

You should only do this prior to weekend day games. The route may have changed, but rush hour in Boston still stinks.

The new street. Last September, the Sox experimented with shutting off Yawkey Way and making it a part of the ballpark. Beginning Friday, this will be a permanent experience. There are vendors, amusements, and restrooms out on the street — and you can head out there during the game and head back into your seats without ever leaving the park. There are more food options, and Luis Tiant is usually out there talking to fans before each game.

The Olde Towne Team. Despite all these changes, some things never change in Boston. It will be cold (and wet) for many of the April games. There will be T-shirts sold on the street denouncing the Yankees (not sure if the particularly crude shirts insulting the injured Derek Jeter will still be around). The bullpen will blow some leads, the fans will panic after a three-game losing streak, and Grady Little will be second guessed from Fort Kent to Block Island.

And there will be no better place to spend a spring or summer evening than the “lyric little bandbox” by Kenmore Square.

Lewiston native Tom Caron is studio host of Red Sox telecasts on New England Sports Network.