ORONTO - Turnover being what it is in the big leagues these days, a new ballpark in five years will have little impact on most of the Red Sox now in uniform. Think about it: John Valentin is the only player who has been on the current roster that long.
''New ballpark?'' outfielder Damon Buford said. ''I'll have to ask Nomar to leave tickets on Sundays.''
The Sox were given a videotape preview of the Fenway of the Future before yesterday's game here with Toronto, a computer simulation providing details of John Harrington's dream edifice.
And while they may not be around when the place actually opens, that didn't prevent some suggestions of what they'd like to see included in the team's new home.
Manager Jimy Williams, for example, endorsed the concept of incorporating some of Fenway's finest features in the new place.
''I think I have the best shower in baseball,'' said Williams, proving that Jimywocky isn't dead. ''I'll take that shower I got and put it in the new park. The rest of it, I'll leave up to them.
''I've only been here a couple of years. There are other people in the organization who are more involved. Their opinions are important. Not mine.''
Second baseman Jeff Frye said he'd like to see a swimming pool in the ballpark. Not one for the fans, like they have in the bleachers in Arizona. But a lap pool for the players, like the Texas Rangers have at the Ballpark in Arlington.
''It's at the end of the dugout, about 20 feet wide and 4 1/2 deep,'' Frye said. ''You'd be surprised how useful it is, especially for rehabbing.
Buford lobbied for a Jacuzzi. Also for therapeutic purposes? ''For whatever,'' he said.
Catcher Jason Varitek would like to see the Sox have a weight room similar to the gym-sized ones now included in the recently opened ballparks.
''The design we saw was beautiful,'' Varitek said. ''A lot like Fenway. A little different, but with the same quirks.''
Pedro Martinez raised his eyebrows when asked what it would be like to pitch the first game in the new Fenway.
''Who says I'm pitching the first game?'' Martinez said. ''Five years from now, who knows where I'll be?''
If the plan really is to keep the same outfield dimensions as the old ballpark, Martinez obviously wasn't consulted. One's man charm is another man's aggravation, especially if that man is a pitcher.
''I don't agree with having the same dimensions,'' Martinez said. ''Three fifteen in the [left-field] corner? Come on.
''They need a regular park, a normal park. If they're going to tear that one down, then make it a normal park, a regular park. The dimensions have got to be like Atlanta or Colorado in the outfield.
''Leave Fenway Park there. Let it be a relic.''
Nomar Garciaparra said he likes the ''old-school feeling'' of the new parks like Camden Yards. ''If they can preserve that, outstanding,'' Garciaparra said.
''More seats will mean more fans can enjoy what we're doing,'' Garciaparra said. ''Fenway right now is limited. I'm sure when we're sold out there are some people who get locked out.
''Will I miss [the old Fenway]? Definitely. But I've always said what makes Fenway a special place is the fans.''
Old hand Valentin said sure, he'll miss what Hatteberg described as the ''great lore'' of the old ballpark.
''But just because a new ballpark is being made, that doesn't mean there isn't going to be any history in the new place,'' Valentin said. ''They're putting a lot of the old park in the new place. And there will be more room.''
In the end, Hatteberg said, that's what it all comes down to.
''When you go to the new yards,'' he said, ''you realize we just don't have enough room. It's just an old yard. They did a great job with what they had, but it was lacking compared to other places.''
