BOSTON — For the first time in more than a decade, the Boston Red Sox aren't increasing their ticket prices at Fenway Park for the 2009 season.

The team said Wednesday that it had raised prices in each of the last 14 years. It's average ticket price of $48.80 on opening day in 2008 was the highest in the majors.

Prices range from $12 to $125 for single-game tickets, which go on sale Dec. 13. There is a discount for any season tickets purchased before Dec. 17.

The Houston Astros announced on Oct. 28 that they were keeping next year's ticket prices at 2008 levels, and the Pittsburgh Pirates said Nov. 4 they will maintain the same season-ticket prices for a seventh consecutive year. Some teams have reduced prices.

"We did not contemplate a reduction," said Sam Kennedy, the Red Sox executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer. "We did contemplate an increase, but it's fair to say this is the right thing to do given the realities of the economy."

Fans with contracts for premium seats can avoid an increase scheduled for 2009 if they agree to extend those contracts for one year, with the prices for 2010 to be determined. Kennedy said there are "several thousand" such seats.

The team plans to add about 350 seats before next season at Fenway, which has been sold out for the past 469 games, a major league record. New seats in the right-field roof section will carry the same $50 price as seats already there.

The team said it kept prices the same for 70 percent of its seats in 2006 and 81.5 percent in 2007.

The Red Sox said prices also would remain the same for tickets available to the public at spring training games.