To Fenway security personnel, the colored strips of nylon Supertek are proof that a purse or backpack has been inspected for contraband.

But to a subset of the Fenway faithful, the adhesive bracelets lined
with Red Sox logos have come to symbolize something more: links in a
chain of hope for another World Series win.

"They're for good luck," said Jeanie Goddard of Needham, who had
seven security tags on her purse before she entered a recent game
against the Devil Rays. "I leave the little bands there until the end
of the season, in hopes of bringing us another championship. I usually
burn them at the end of the year, sort of like a Greek ritual."

Goddard's bag had bands in several shades (the color changes each
night). For security reasons, Charles Cellucci, Red Sox director of
security and emergency services, wouldn't say how many colors are in
the rotation.

He did say workers are supposed to remove old bands every time a fan
has a bag checked at Fenway. But it's not always easy. "Sometimes, some
fans will object," he said, "because they consider it a keepsake or a
badge of honor. So sometimes, our staff will let that go, but that's
not what I'm looking for."

Adam Briggs of Jamaica Plain had just one bracelet on his backpack
Wednesday night, and said it was there only because, "I'm lazy"; he
hadn't yet removed it from his most recent visit.

"I should have 12 or 13 of them, but I save them in a drawer. Yeah, I'm a loser," he added, engaging in a bit of self-mockery.

Nina Morey of Lincoln, R.I., also had only one, but that's because,
on a recent trip to the park, security workers insisted on cutting off
the half-dozen she'd saved up. She was upset, she said, because to her
the bands proudly declare: "I went to Fenway Park!"

"Bragging rights," chimed in her pal, Cindy St. Jacques, also of
Lincoln, who had one more than Morey, even though she goes to fewer
games. "People say, 'Oh yeah, that's cool,' and the kids love 'em."