Hadlock Field - Portland Sea Dogs

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14

Hadlock Field 271 Park Ave Portland, ME 04104

Portland Sea Dogs website

Hadlock Field website

Year Opened: 1994

Capacity: 7,368

---

Baseball the Way it Should Be

Minor league baseball returned to Portland, Maine in 1994 after a 44-year absence. The addition of the Florida Marlins to Major League Baseball in 1993 created the need for new affiliates, and Portland was awarded the Double-A franchise. Portland’s previous minor league team, the Pilots, briefly known as the Gulls, played from 1946 to 1949 at neighboring Fitzpatrick Stadium as a Phillies affiliate. Before the Sea Dogs, the most recent affiliated baseball in Maine was played in Old Orchard Beach by the Triple-A Maine Guides and Maine Phillies, but lasted just six seasons.

The field at its current location dates back to the 1930s, giving the stadium a deep tie to the city’s long baseball history. During the early years of the Sea Dogs, the ballpark was often abuzz when President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara were in attendance as guests of team owner Daniel Burke – they regularly sat beside the Sea Dogs dugout, never in a suite, and created an air of excitement in the stands when they attended.

The Sea Dogs quickly became a point of pride for Mainers, so it came as no surprise that the 2025 decision to sell the naming rights, rebranding Hadlock Field as Delta Dental Park, sparked debate among locals.

Food & Beverage   4

The concessions menu is largely what would be expected at a minor league ballpark. Fenway Franks, nachos, and pizza slices are all on the menu, but a handful of higher-end options help set it apart; these include steak and cheese subs, grilled sausage with peppers and onions, chicken Caesar wraps, and even veggie burgers and gluten-free hot dogs. One of the most popular items, however, remains the Sea Dogs Biscuit, which is two chocolate chip cookies with Gifford’s vanilla ice cream in-between – this has been a staple here since day one.

Portland’s reputation as a craft beer haven is well reflected in the ballpark’s drink selection – nearly twenty locally brewed beers are available, from brewers such as Nonesuch River Brewing, Orono Brewing Company, Allagash, Bastin Brewing Company, Baxter Brewing, Rising Tide, Brickyard Hollow, Oxbow, Geary’s, Bunker Brewing, and Eighteen Twenty Brewing Company. If beer is not your thing, there are also local wines from Blue Lobster Urban Winery available. Though the concessions here are not overwhelmingly unique to Maine, the sheer variety of local, quality beer options is tough to beat.

Atmosphere   4

At first glance, Delta Dental Park may not seem especially remarkable. The stadium’s current and original names both hang above the entrance, and an eight-foot fiberglass statue of beloved mascot Slugger greets fans and serves as a popular photo spot.

The stadium’s footprint is constrained by the adjacent Portland Exposition Building, railroad tracks and Fitzpatrick Stadium, resulting in a seating area that is relatively compact. Seating includes field-level box seats, reserved chair backs, and general admission bleachers. A group picnic area sits beyond right field, and high-top tables have been added along the right field line, mirroring Fenway’s Monster seats.

Around the outfield, a mix of scoreboards displays pitch speed, exit velocity, and provide real-time Red Sox game updates, while a larger video board sits in the frame of the original scoreboard. Similar to Fenway’s Green Monster, an inning-by-inning line score screen has been integrated into the wall; its smaller size in comparison to the large wall does make it seem a bit awkward, however.

The stadium lacks some modern features; there is no major kids’ zone, no dedicated social gathering area, and only limited premium seating. Still, the experience remains one of the most enjoyable in the minors, in large part because the focus remains on the game. Fans are not bombarded with sound effects throughout the game, for example.

Mid-inning activities tend to take common ballpark contests and add a bit of a local flair to them, such as the lacrosse (rubber) lobster toss, a variation of a shuttle run contest, or a simple race between kids from point A to point B with some sort of theme accompanying the race.

When choosing seats, the first base side faces the sun and shade is limited, especially during afternoon games. The third base side of the stadium does get some relief for evening games, however, and on specifically hot days, the Expo’s basement offers a cooling room.

Neighborhood   4

Portland is a well-known summer destination, attracting visitors heading to nearby beach towns, inland lakes, or to any of the several cruise ships that come to port.

Margaritas, located in the nearby St. John Street plaza, has been a local go-to for Mexican food for over 30 years. Around the corner, Amato’s, a Portland staple, offers a wide menu of sandwiches and Italian-style fare. For early games, fans might enjoy a quick trip across the street to Holy Donut, known for its signature potato-based doughnuts.

Thompson Point is home to Bissell Brothers brewery and the Maine State Children’s Museum. Thompson Point also hosts several national music tours, if a Sea Dogs game is just part of a longer stay in the area. In addition, the largely popular Portland Hearts of Pine play at neighboring Fitzpatrick Stadium, and occasionally have a match the same day as the Sea Dogs game, or at least during the same home stand.

Fans   4

The Sea Dogs have long enjoyed strong support from the Portland community; in their inaugural 1994 season they averaged nearly 5,500 fans per game in a stadium that seats just over 6,000. They’ve remained one of the top draws at the Double-A level ever since, frequently landing in the top 20 for minor league attendance across all levels.

The Sea Dogs drew well enough during the team’s early years as a Florida Marlins affiliate, but really surged when the Sea Dogs joined the Red Sox system in 2003.

While Portland fans may be more reserved than rowdy, they know the game and reward good baseball with appreciative applause. One lasting tradition from the inaugural season is the collective stomping on the aluminum bleachers, creating a thunderous rumble that has become part of the park’s personality.

Access   4

There is no dedicated stadium parking beyond a small ADA-accessible lot adjacent to the field. However, a few city-owned lots sit beyond right field, and several private lots are located nearby. Street parking is hit-or-miss, though Deering Avenue and Washburn Street, just across the I-295 bridge, are usually decent bets. Parking along St. James Street at Daugherty Field is also a popular option for those willing to walk about a half mile.

For fans arriving from out of town, Portland is served by the regional rail connecting Boston to Brunswick, Maine. The Amtrak station is about a mile from the stadium and is also accessible via public transit. Delta Dental Park is also located between the Parkside and Libbytown neighborhoods, making it a reasonable walk from many parts of the city.

The ballpark has one primary point of entry, which can back up slightly before the gates open, but lines move quickly once the initial rush subsides. Inside there are two main walkways, one that runs under the stands and another on the field concourse. Most of the seating above the walkway is elevated, which limits obstructions by passersby.

Return on Investment   4

Ticket prices are in line with what would be expected for most Double-A stadiums. General admission is $15 (fees included), reserved seats run $18, and field box seats are $26. Box seats may be on the higher side for this level, but the baseline price of entry is reasonable.

Prices align with what fans would expect at a comparable sporting event, and the variety and quality – particularly in the local craft beer selection – help justify the cost.

Extras   5

The Sea Dogs Hall of Fame is located along the concourse under the stands, along the first base line. Among the 24 inductees are names like Josh Beckett, Kevin Millar, Adrian Gonzalez, Livan Hernandez, Hanley Ramirez, Edgar Renteria, and Anthony Rizzo, players who passed through Portland on their way to storied MLB careers. Just next door, the Portland Room honors the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame – anyone who grew up playing baseball in Maine is likely to recognize several names enshrined there.

Slugger, the Sea Dogs beloved mascot, puts on a series of well-produced skits throughout the season. Slugger is not the only mascot, though; the stadium also has “Trash Monsters” who wander the stands during the game, encouraging fans to clean up after themselves, but in a creative way.

Inside the stadium, jersey cutouts and banners highlight Sea Dogs alumni now playing in the majors, while other signage celebrates the team’s division and league championships.

Since becoming a Red Sox affiliate in 2006, the stadium has attempted to take on some of the characteristics of Fenway Park. Most notably, in what has been dubbed “The Maine Monster”, a 37-foot-tall wall was built to replicate the Sox’ famed Green Monster.

Perhaps the most uniquely Maine feature of all is the centerfield lighthouse; after Sea Dogs home runs, or following a win, it rises to the blast of a foghorn while shooting sparks into the air.

Final Thoughts

Portland Sea Dogs baseball is quietly one of the best minor league experiences in the country, whether you are a baseball purist or a family looking for a fun, affordable outing. The experience is refreshingly straightforward, focusing on the game without losing its sense of fun for fans of all ages.

Much of the franchise’s longevity can be traced back to the strong foundation laid in their inaugural season. Longtime president and general manager Charlie Eshbach deserves much of the credit for shaping the Sea Dogs’ identity; his influence on the team continues to be evident in their Portland ballpark experience today.