Maine was a popular vacation destination for my family growing up. In my elementary and middle school years, my family would travel to Bar Harbor and stay in cottages and immerse ourselves into all things Down East. My parents even bought land in Jefferson, Maine thinking they would retire up there someday. The land was sold after my parents got divorced and I didn’t revisit Maine until my adult years.

Work assignments brought me up to Portland over a 5 year stretch. I even visited the home arenas of the minor league Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox. In fact, they are all in the same area, on the same side of the street, and you can walk to each one without much trouble. One afternoon, on a delivery to the minor league Boston Celtics, then the Maine Red Claws and now the Maine Celtics of the G-League, I happened to notice Hadlock Field next to the loading dock area where I was delivering items. It was closed at the time and I had a deadline to meet, so I vowed to return one day and catch a game.

This past Sunday, fresh off a night in Old Orchard Beach, dinner at the Lobster Claw, and a morning walk around The Ballpark, Rachel and I took the 20 minute drive from our cottage in Saco up to Park Avenue in Portland. After passing Hadlock Field, we parked ($10) and took a leisurely walk up to the stadium. We passed the two arenas that I remembered were next to Hadlock and I snagged a photo of Slugger, the Portland Sea Dogs mascot in front of the ticket office/front gate. He was “holding” a huge sign that sport two of my favorite words “game today.”

One of many reasons why I wanted to visit Hadlock Field was to watch the talented times 1000 players on this Portland Sea Dogs roster. Don’t get me wrong, there is talent on every level of the minor leagues from Single and High A to Triple A teams. However, there is something extra special about Double A talent. A local MLB scout once told that is where the future is playing for any MLB club. Case in point, the Portland Sea Dogs, the Double A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, have a roster filled with the organization’s top prospects. One in particular, Marcelo Mayer, is one of the most talented players in all of Minor League baseball – any level – and is all but certain to be in a Boston Red Sox uniform, barring injury or trade, within a few years time. Mayer is so good and so young and so talented, Boston fans maybe cheering his name for the next 2 decades. He is that good!!!

What do they say about first impressions? Wow, what a view!

After Rachel and I dried our tears and acknowledged how powerful a moment that was, there was still a baseball game to watch. With 5 healthy kids, all high school graduates, all grown up now, it kind of puts things like the young man running the bases into a whole new stratosphere and definitely makes you stop to appreciate life. I wish that family the very best and congratulate the Portland Sea Dogs and Akron Rubber Ducks organizations for being so gracious in letting that family have their special moment.

I mentioned Mayer earlier and I got 4 chances to watch him hit on Sunday afternoon. Despite going 0 for 4, Mayer hit the ball well to left field (fielder made a leaping catch) and right field (caught at the fence). Without question, the talent spoke for itself despite not recording a hit in the scorebook.

Ok, now here is something I did not expect nor have any prior knowledge of. When a Portland Sea Dogs player hits a home run, as did Tyler Dearden in the 2nd inning, a lighthouse emerges from the center field area just passed the fence. It lifts up and shines its light like the lighthouse I used to visit at Pemaquid Point when I was a kid visiting Maine. The fans went nuts for the home run and I went nuts seeing a lighthouse appear out of nowhere to commemorate the home run. Very, very cool idea Sea Dogs!!!

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Rachel and I had fantastic seats. From our spot, we could easily see the entire field of play, the press area with a ton of former players names placarded to the walls, the Gifford Pavilion area, and all the great Portland Sea Dogs fans. This stadium was perfect size for minor league baseball and the stands were packed for 90% of the game. There was plenty of concession stands and plenty of staff to assist. Typically ballpark food and I enjoyed a few local Maine beers to help cool me off.

As we walked down to the souvenir shop for one last shopping spree before heading out, I heard the radio call on the loud speaker – “Portland wins a close one, 3-2.” Success for me at a baseball game is rarely measured in wins and losses but rather the overall experience of the day. I got to witness a young man run the bases successfully in front of family, friends, thousands of cheering admirers, and two professional baseball teams. I got to witness a lighthouse emerge from behind the center field fence after a towering Portland Sea Dogs home run. I got to watch a ton of talented players, on both squads, many of whom will be playing for the parent club in short order. And I got to mingle with a few Mainers, whom I could tell shared my passion for baseball. After all, we were all in Red Sox jerseys and cheered or had cheered for the Sox (on some level) for a long, long time.

What an amazing baseball experience in Portland, Maine. Definitely worth the 3 hour drive up from Rhode Island, shunning the oft used phrase “can’t get there from here.” Seriously, take the drive, stay in a cottage, eat lobster, immerse yourself in Maine – you will not be disappointed.