Portland Sea Dogs (Lowell: home, prices, food)

[elston]

Last night I went to a Portland Sea Dogs game at Hadlock Field in Portland. I didnt know what to expect.....and was most pleasantly surprised. The reason I went was because my grand daughter had won a raffle and was going to be "bat girl" for last nights game. So with little expectation other than wanting to share her excitement (she is a fan) I joined family and "went out to the ball game".

We had a wonderful time! I was very impressed with the beautiful ball park.....it is so well designed, clean and comfortable and very professional! All the seats are "good seats". The field is in perfect condition ....food concessions were easy to access and delicious and prices for everything from tickets to pop corn were reasonable. I was impressed with how family friendly and community minded the park is--lots of activities for the kiddos....charity events....and promotions put on by local merchants. The intensity of the play and professionalism of the teams was obvious.....dispite the final score it was a "good ball game".

We had a blast.....I know we will be back and I highly recommend it to everyone.....When people ask what's to do in Portland....the Sea Dogs should always be a consideration.....its a great asset!
"Take Me Out To The Ball Game".

[moughie]

So glad you had a wonderful time! Bet your granddaughter was proud to have you in the stands How did she do as a bat girl? Did she keep busy?

[Hyakurin]

Aww, Elston, as always your posts are very cheerful and informative. I've been meaning to catch a Sea Dogs game (they're just around the corner really) so I should go do that! You're glowing review makes me excited to go. Thanks!

[elston]

Originally Posted by moughie

So glad you had a wonderful time! Bet your granddaughter was proud to have you in the stands How did she do as a bat girl? Did she keep busy?

She had a blast and was fully enthralled and engaged even though the game went way past her bedtime....I bet she is dreaming of a career as "Bat Person" or perhaps an umpire ! It was definately the stuff of memories.....I bet years and years from now she will telling someone about the time she was the bat girl for the Sea Dogs.

[K-Luv]

I am not a fan of baseball, in fact I think that it is a rather ridiculous sport, but I have been to many a Sea Dogs game and I will say that they are pretty fun. Haddock Field is a nice stadium, but rather small. I have seen at least one person getting hit (or coming close to it) by a line-drived foul ball that went over the net behind (or next to) home plate.

The mascot, Slugger, does a good job of getting the crowd riled up and everyone seems to enjoy his presence. Oaky, on the other hand, needs to work on his team spirit.

Once you hear, "Uh-oh, better call ___________ Glass." for the 50th time it loses its luster.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I am not a fan of baseball, in fact I think that it is a rather ridiculous sport, but I have been to many a Sea Dogs game and I will say that they are pretty fun. Haddock Field is a nice stadium, but rather small. I have seen at least one person getting hit (or coming close to it) by a line-drived foul ball that went over the net behind (or next to) home plate.

The mascot, Slugger, does a good job of getting the crowd riled up and everyone seems to enjoy his presence. Oaky, on the other hand, needs to work on his team spirit.

Once you hear, "Uh-oh, better call ___________ Glass." for the 50th time it loses its luster.

I'm a HUGE baseball fan. I take it to the point of making vacations out of traveling to Red Sox Road Games (been to Baltimore, Seattle, Chicago, Toronto, NYC, Tampa, Philly, etc this way). I also enjoy watching the stars of the future play in the minors. I've made it a point to get down to Pawtucket a few times this summer to watch the Sox' AAA affiliate (the PawSox... a must see for any Sox fan-- lovely stadium) and I've made it to a few Seadogs games as well as the Lowell Spinners, Brockton ROX, New Bedford Bay Sox, etc. I enjoy it immensely.

Some of the flaws you describe are typical of just about any minor league franchise. The Seadogs play in a small stadium because it's a AA franchise in a small city. With the exception of a few special nights, the stadium is rarely filled to capacity which leads me to believe that the 6,000 or so seats is about right. at higher levels (AAA and the majors) you'll see stadiums a little larger (9-15,000 for AAA and 35,000+ for the majors). I don't think that the stadium is partiuclarly small for the purpose it serves at all. I think it's quite nice. My only complaint is that I'd prefer folding seats over bleachers in the General Admission section, but other than that, they do a wonderful job.

Of all of the minor league games I've been to, the Seadogs have one of the better followings. Their community involvement and dedication to make each and every visitor's experience memorable is fantastic. Part of it can be attributed to the organization, but much of it is due to the fact that the Portland area really embraces their team. The pride goes a long way into making it a class act as far as AA franchises go. I've always been impressed.

Sure, there's a lot of fluff (including cheesy mascots and strange contests between innings), but it's geared towards the kids and they love it. The advertisements get old, but we're talking about local companies (or local branches of larger companies) here... it's the same in every minor league park (though "Dave Deshain, keep out the rain" makes me want to impale myself on a rusty pole) anywhere and really part of the experience.

Again, no minor league franchise is perfect, but the Seadogs do a wonderful job. My only complaint really is the lack of real seats in general admission.

Anyway elston, glad you (and your grand daughter) enjoyed it. It's a wonderful asset for Portland and they do a great job.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by lrfox

I'm a HUGE baseball fan. I take it to the point of making vacations out of traveling to Red Sox Road Games (been to Baltimore, Seattle, Chicago, Toronto, NYC, Tampa, Philly, etc this way). I also enjoy watching the stars of the future play in the minors. I've made it a point to get down to Pawtucket a few times this summer to watch the Sox' AAA affiliate (the PawSox... a must see for any Sox fan-- lovely stadium) and I've made it to a few Seadogs games as well as the Lowell Spinners, Brockton ROX, New Bedford Bay Sox, etc. I enjoy it immensely.

Some of the flaws you describe are typical of just about any minor league franchise. The Seadogs play in a small stadium because it's a AA franchise in a small city. With the exception of a few special nights, the stadium is rarely filled to capacity which leads me to believe that the 6,000 or so seats is about right. at higher levels (AAA and the majors) you'll see stadiums a little larger (9-15,000 for AAA and 35,000+ for the majors). I don't think that the stadium is partiuclarly small for the purpose it serves at all. I think it's quite nice. My only complaint is that I'd prefer folding seats over bleachers in the General Admission section, but other than that, they do a wonderful job.

Of all of the minor league games I've been to, the Seadogs have one of the better followings. Their community involvement and dedication to make each and every visitor's experience memorable is fantastic. Part of it can be attributed to the organization, but much of it is due to the fact that the Portland area really embraces their team. The pride goes a long way into making it a class act as far as AA franchises go. I've always been impressed.

Sure, there's a lot of fluff (including cheesy mascots and strange contests between innings), but it's geared towards the kids and they love it. The advertisements get old, but we're talking about local companies (or local branches of larger companies) here... it's the same in every minor league park (though "Dave Deshain, keep out the rain" makes me want to impale myself on a rusty pole) anywhere and really part of the experience.

Again, no minor league franchise is perfect, but the Seadogs do a wonderful job. My only complaint really is the lack of real seats in general admission.

Anyway elston, glad you (and your grand daughter) enjoyed it. It's a wonderful asset for Portland and they do a great job.

Good post. You really DO like baseball. We try to see the Dogs a couple of times a year. We've been once so far this season and plan to go back sometime as soon as it looks like it won't be raining! The food is good, the beer is cold, and the games are usually very good. We like to sit in the right field "Pavilion" seats near the Sea Dog's bull pen. You don't have to watch the annoying scoreboard from there and the view is great. Plus you get a little table in front of you to put your food and drink on. They have 10 more home games this month, 12 in August, and 7 in September so pick a day and and go see the Sea Dogs!

[Maine Writer]

My daughter went to Friday night's game and had a blast. She thought watching the Red Sox in Fenway was boring but enjoyed the Sea Dogs.

[K-Luv]

irfox,

Despite my feelings towards baseball, I do enjoy the Sea Dogs and find that the experience of attending their home games is an over-all enjoyable time. I have been to a few MLB games and was just bored to tears, but I find the minor league games to be much more fun and I think that the fans who support the minor leagues do so, too.

I only mentioned the size (design) of Haddock Field because if you are not paying attention you run the risk of being hit with a foul ball.

[elston]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

irfox,

Despite my feelings towards baseball, I do enjoy the Sea Dogs and find that the experience of attending their home games is an over-all enjoyable time. I have been to a few MLB games and was just bored to tears, but I find the minor league games to be much more fun and I think that the fans who support the minor leagues do so, too.

I only mentioned the size (design) of Haddock Field because if you are not paying attention you run the risk of being hit with a foul ball.

K-Luv.....that was my experience too.....I am not a ML baseball fan and found watching the Padres in Petco Park "boring" after the first few innings; I do get into baseball when I am in Japan (Gan bare Hawks)....but I got so excited at the Sea Dog Game.