Back to the Boston Red Sox Newsfeed

Why the Red Sox made former captain Jason Varitek take batting practice at Fenway Park

Related Topics: Jason Varitek, Red Sox, Fenway Park

Jason Varitek last stepped to the plate as the Red Sox’s captain and starting catcher in 2011.

But the former backstop and current Boston coach was back in the batter’s box on Tuesday at Fenway Park ahead of the Red Sox’s game against the Orioles.

Why? To help determine the draft order of the team’s upcoming fantasy-football league.

Sorting out draft orders ahead of the NFL season has been an annual (and often elaborate) tradition at the end of every summer, with the Red Sox chipping golf balls off the Green Monster last season in order to determine the draft order.