updated 8:13 p.m. ET Feb. 18, 2005

LOWELL, Mass. - The honors keep pouring in for the Boston Red Sox organization.

Even as the World Series champions opened spring training Thursday, the team’s Single-A affiliate in Lowell was certified as the Guinness world record holder for the “World’s Largest Game of Duck, Duck Goose.” A total of 432 fans played the children’s game, encircling outfield on Aug. 14, 2004.

The game was started by Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivary, who was caught and forced to sit in the middle.

The record had never been attempted, so the folks at Guinness said at least 300 people had to participate. To meet the requirement that an “expert in the field” be on hand, the Lowell Spinners brought in Jo-Ann Spence from the Lowell Day Nursery School.

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The Spinners sent in a videotape, media clippings and sign-in sheets from all 432 fans as proof, then waited for confirmation of the record.

The Spinners have sold out every game since Aug. 2, 1999, thanks to promotions such as Jack Kerouac bobble-head night; Birth Night, in which pregnant women competed for a year’s supply of diapers; and Peter Gammons look-alike night, in honor of the baseball writer.

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