<P> There are three distinct mixes of this song . The original mono 45 mix had a louder orchestra and glockenspiel compared to the stereo version on the Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show LP . The third version was a remix found only on the initial CD release of Diamond's His 12 Greatest Hits . This version has the orchestra mixed down and has the background vocals mixed up . It has a longer fade as well . A live version of the song is on his Hot August Night LP . </P> <P> The playing of "Sweet Caroline" has become a fixture at many sporting events in the United States . In this version, the horn figure after Diamond sings "Sweet Caroline" in the chorus is replaced by the crowd singing "Bap Bap Bah", and after he sings "Good times never seemed so good," the crowd sings "So good, so good, so good ." This pattern is repeated whenever the chorus is played . </P> <P> The song has been played at Fenway Park, home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, since at least 1997, and in the middle of the eighth inning at every game since 2002 . On opening night of the 2010 season at Fenway Park, the song was performed by Diamond himself . "Sweet Caroline" was played at Penn State Nittany Lions football games at Beaver Stadium until August 2012, halting after the Penn State child sex abuse scandal . Performances at Beaver Stadium resumed in September 2013, however . The song is played at the start of the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh Panthers Football games at Heinz Field . In response, West Virginia University students and fans will yell "eat shit, Pitt" during the refrain if heard played . It is also an unofficial song of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, being played at athletic events and pep rallies . </P> <P> On April 16, 2013, the day after the Boston Marathon bombing, the New York Yankees--longtime rivals of the Red Sox--announced they would play the song during their home game, preceded by a moment of silence, as a tribute to the victims . On Saturday, April 20, 2013, during the 8th inning of the Red Sox - Kansas City game in Fenway Park, Neil Diamond led the crowd in a rendition of the song . The song was sung at sporting events across the country after the Boston Marathon bombings, in efforts to show solidarity with those affected by the tragedy . It was also played right before the start of the Hamburg Marathon in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday, April 21, 2013, subsequent to a minute of silence . The song was also played before the start of the Stockholm Marathon in Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday, June 1, 2013, as a tribute to those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings . </P>

When did red sox start playing sweet caroline