In advance of their home opener on Friday, the Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) are unveiling some changes at Hadlock Field. This includes renamed skyboxes, new food menu items and craft beer options, extended netting, and more.
Hadlock Field Skyboxes
In honor of the Sea Dogs 25th season, 14 of the 17 Hadlock Field skyboxes have been renamed after some of the greatest players that have worn the Sea Dogs uniform including Mookie Betts, Charles Johnson, Kevin Millar, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis. The Ganley, Troubh, and Sea Dogs skyboxes remain. Originally the skyboxes were named after baseball legends such as Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio, and Stan Musial. When the Sea Dogs switched affiliations to the Red Sox at the end of the 2002 season, the skyboxes were renamed after Red Sox legends such as Johnny Pesky, Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, and Ted Williams.
New Concession Offerings
Hadlock Field will feature a nacho cart for the 2018 season, allowing fans to enjoy this ballpark treat served in a souvenir dog bowl.
Moxie, the official soft drink of Maine, will now be available throughout the ballpark.
Joining the ballpark’s craft beer selections this year will be Lone Pine Brewing’s Portland Pale Ale and Rising Tide Brewing’s Maine Island Trail Ale. Both products will be available at the Not Your Father’s Brew House located on the first base side of the ballpark. Additionally, Geary’s will be serving Riverside IPA in 2018. While Shipyard has added Finders to their lineup which will be available at the Shipyard Grill located behind the left-field grandstand.
Truly Wild Berry has also been added to the lineup for the 2018 season.
Expanded Protective Netting
As previously announced, the Sea Dogs have extended the protective netting for fan safety. The new netting is knotless and green to minimize the impact to sightlines in affected areas.
This makes the Sea Dogs one of many teams that have extended protective netting. Leading up to the 2018 season, numerous clubs in the affiliated minor league and independent ranks worked to extend the netting at their ballparks. More of our coverage on extended netting can be found here.
On the merchandise side, the Sea Dogs are unveiling new options this year, including authentic player on-field fitted home hats featuring the 25th season logo patch. Meanwhile, the club’s promotional schedule includes a celebration of The Sandlot‘s 25th Anniversary on August 5. With The Sandlot turning 25 this month, the 2018 season should feature plenty of promotions around the minors that are inspired by the film. In the Sea Dogs’ case, their celebration of The Sandlot will include an opportunity for fans to play catch on the field prior to the game.