Photo / Jim Neuger
Outside Hadlock Field on what would have been opening day 2020, with a message for fans to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic.
February 19, 2021
Portland Sea Dogs ready to play ball amid talks on hosting fans
FILE photo / Jim Neuger
Portland's Hadlock Field has no immediate plans to sell liquor despite the new measure advancing through the Legislature.
After sitting out 2020 because of COVID, the Portland Sea Dogs will be back on the baseball diamond in 2021 with 60 home games at Hadlock Field and 60 games on the road, the team announced on Thursday.
A home opener is planned for May 4 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and team executives said they are working with the state to gain approval for hosting fans in a reduced capacity.
"We can’t wait to bring baseball back in a safe way to our fans," Chris Cameron, the team's vice president for communications and fan experience, told Mainebiz, ahead of his 25th season with the Sea Dogs.
"Personally, assuming we are permitted to host fans, I am most looking forward to welcoming fans back to Hadlock Field, seeing our seasonal staff members, and hearing the crack of the bat," he added. "And of course there’s something special about a hot dog at a ballpark."
The 2021 series is scheduled to run Tuesdays through Sundays with Mondays as an off or travel day, and consist of 20 six-game series against six of the team's closest Northeast League opponents.
Thursday's announcement comes less than a week after Maine’s only professional baseball team unveiled an agreement to remain the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox at least through the 2030 season.
The team promised to release more details on the upcoming season, along with ticket information and a promotional schedule, once available.
“Receiving our 2021 schedule is very exciting as it is a big step forward as we prepare for the return of baseball at Hadlock Field,” said Sea Dogs President and General Manager Geoff Iacuessa in Thursday's release. “The most important thing in 2021 will be the health and safety of our fans, players, and staff. Our staff is hard at work planning another fun-filled summer of baseball at Hadlock in a safe environment.”
'Many questions to be answered'
During the 2020 season that wasn't, the Sea Dogs were busy with merchandise sales and finding other ways to earn an income, keep staff occupied and engage with fans through activities. They include outdoor "Dining on the Diamond," a nine-hole golf course and Halloween at Hadlock.
On the charity fundraising front, the Sea Dogs held numerous programs including a virtual 5K run/walk to raise money for Make-A-Wish Maine and a virtual sellout campaign to raise money for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Cameron said.
He also pointed to "tremendous" merchandise sales over the past year.
"Many fans have wanted to support the team during these challenging times and have done so by purchasing merchandise," he said. "It certainly doesn’t compare to our merchandise sales during a normal season, but it certainly has been helpful. Some of our most popular items this year have been face masks, the 2020 undefeated season T-shirt that we unveiled mid-summer, and mystery boxes."
The Portland Sea Dogs have 18 full-time staff members and around 275 part-time seasonal employees, but put the planned hiring of an assistant for mascot Slugger on hold last year when everything shut down in March, according to Cameron.
"We’re not yet sure what Slugger’s needs will be for the 2021 season," he said. "Still many questions to be answered."
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