Welcome to Red Sox Nation. Do you need a passport? No, of course not (unless you're coming from a country outside of the U.S.). However, there are some customs to follow.

- Don't show up at a game in a Yankees hat unless you want a lot of negative attention. In most scenarios, Bostonians consider New York to be a friendly neighbor, but when it comes to baseball, the two cities don't mix so well. The rivalry goes back about a hundred years.

- Don't outwardly laugh at someone referring to "the curse." Use your inner voice instead.

- There are two songs you should learn: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, which is played at every game at Fenway during the eighth inning, and Dirty Water by the Standells, the Sox' victory anthem.

- The semi-official food in Red Sox Nation is a Fenway Frank (hot dog).

- Finally, you may want to consider investing in a Red Sox hat or jersey to blend in.

So where exactly is Red Sox Nation? It's not actually a place with defined boundaries, but instead is thought to be the broad base of Red Sox baseball fans spread out all over the world - or maybe a state of mind. The term was coined in 1986 by Boston Globe writer Nathan Cobb and made popular by Globe writer Dan Shaughnessy. The Red Sox have since embraced and commercialized - offering "citizenship" and perks in exchange for a fee.

Fenway Park

If Red Sox Nation were to have a capital, that would have to be Fenway Park. Opened in 1912, Fenway is the oldest Major League Park in the nation and has been the site of some legendary baseball moments over the years. Babe Ruth played there, as did Ted Williams. Fenway landmarks include the Green Monster - the unconventionally high left-field wall that has blocked many potential home runs over the years.

How do you get there? Public transportation is strongly recommended. Fenway - this part is easy to remember - is located off the "Fenway" subway station on the D Line of the Green Line (think Green Monster) of the MTBA ("The T" for short). You can also get off at the Kenmore station, where the B, C, and D Green Line trains stop. If you want to try your luck with driving, expect traffic to be a mess and parking to be very limited during games. There are some garages within a short distance from the park, including one at 100 Clarendon Street, which charges a $9 fee for fans going to games.

Hour-long guided tours are offered at Fenway for individuals or groups during non-game hours, with rates of about $10-$12 for adults. For more information and schedules, call 617-226-6666 or email tours@redsox.com. Tickets are also sold at the Souvenir Shop on Yawkey Way.

The Curse of the Bambino and the Yankees rivalry

The curse is alleged to have started when Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees after the 1919 season. "The Bambino" refers to a nickname of Ruth. Boston had won the World Championship title in five of the first 15 World Series, including 1918, but continued to lose for the next 86 years. It wasn't until 2004 that the Red Sox recovered the title by beating the St. Louis Cardinals. What finally caused the curse to be reversed remains unclear.

Fenway Franks

The frank could be called the official food of Red Sox Nation. According to the American Museum of Natural History, a Fenway Frank is a steamed or grilled hot dog served on a New England-style bun, with mustard and relish. However the reality is that they usually appear to be steamed, and you can probably choose your own toppings. You can buy the Fenway Frank brand in grocery stores now too.

Red Sox Bars

Yawkey Way, the street address of Fenway Park, has several Red Sox bars where you can catch some entertainment before or after a game. Among them are Who's On First at 19 Yawkey Way and Boston Beer Works, on the corner of Yawkey and Brookline Avenue. Other popular Red Sox hangouts are Cask 'n Flagon at 62 Brookline Avenue and Game On! at 82 Lansdowne Street.

Red Sox Paraphernalia

Where can you buy a Red Sox hat or jersey? In Boston, just about anywhere. You can find Red Sox-branded goods on street corners around Faneuil Hall marketplace, bookstores in Harvard Square, or even at Logan International Airport.

Getting Tickets

Tickets are tough in Boston, especially for popular seats and games. But if you plan ahead and are willing to spend some money, you'll may find that you have a few options. You can contact go through official channels, the Red Sox website, or call the box office at (617) 482-4SOX. Single-game tickets usually go on sale in late January.

If you're not having luck through the traditional means, you may find some through ticket resale companies. You can also try calling the box office about a day before the game to see if some have opened up. A limited number of game day tickets go on sale at the box office five hours before the game. Some fans have been known to camp out overnight before popular games.

Baseball Season

The official start is April, but you'll start hearing news about spring training in February. For the Red Sox, that means a trip to Ft. Myers, Florida. The MLB sells tickets for package trips to Florida to take part in the ritual. The World Series, which on good years marks the end of the Red Sox' season, is in late October.

Blogs and Links

There are at least a million Red Sox blogs and websites, according to an unofficial count, but here are a few websites, blogs or articles that I found interesting for one reason or another.

Extra Bases - a Boston.com blog

Clubhouse Insider - Boston Herald blog

Story on why Sweet Caroline plays, by the Globe