BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Red Sox will consider holding additional concerts at Fenway Park after two shows by Bruce Springsteen convinced them that it can be done without ruining the field or the team’s relationship with its neighbors.

“The good news is that, for the most part, we had a pretty successful event here,” said Larry Cancro, the Red Sox executive in charge of ballpark affairs. “I don’t think we’re in a situation where we will ever be out actively looking to fulfill a certain number of dates. But we will evaluate future (shows) on a case-by-case basis.”

The two sold-out Springsteen shows were the first concerts in the historic ballpark since the 1973 Newport Jazz Festival. Cancro said the team’s biggest concern was not whether the field would survive being walked upon but whether the neighbors would object.

At one point in Springsteen’s Sunday night show, he thanked the residents of the Fenway neighborhood and apologized for the noise. Despite some 20 complaints about the noise, Mayor Thomas M. Menino said the Springsteen concerts went well.

Boston police reported only one concert-related arrested.

The field was protected by hard plastic sheeting that allowed the grass to get air while protecting it from the seats on the outfield. Concertgoers were kept off of the infield by metal barriers.

“The field is one very key (factor), but I think the neighborhood would have been the most important one,” Cancro said. “Fields can be replaced relatively quickly.”

Third on the list, Cancro said, would be how the team made out financially. The Red Sox were paid a fee by the concert promoters to rent the ballpark, so the fact that the shows sold out quickly did not affect the team’s bottom line; Red Sox president Larry Lucchino would not comment on the team’s revenues from the concert.

Lucchino did say that the team learned that Fenway needs more women’s restrooms, since many more women came to the concert than come to a typical baseball game. Long lines were seen at the ladies rooms (and beer concessions), even as the men’s rooms were sometimes largely empty.

“That’s a bit of a problem with our games, too,” Cancro said.

The Red Sox agreed to the concerts during a 12-day road trip. Cancro said it is unlikely that many events could be held because of the time needed to set up and take down the equipment and get the field ready for games.

“It’s a very labor-intensive effort to do this,” He said. “Obviously, this was not a building that was designed for easy loading. You have to have a 10- to 12-day window. We basically just barely had enough time to do this right.

Before the season, in March, or after the ballpark is free of playoff commitments, in November, the weather is too iffy.

“This is one set of two concerts. I can’t see having more than two of those a year,” he said. “More likely one.”

City Councilor Michael Ross said the neighborhood would be unwilling to deal with the noise and crowds more often than that.

AP-ES-09-09-03 1832EDT

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