Keith Carson to Throw Out Opening Day First-Pitch

Portland, Maine- The Portland Sea Dogs have announced that Keith Carson, an On-Camera Meteorologist with the Weather Channel and former meteorologist at WCSH-6 in Portland, will throw out the ceremonial first-pitch to open the Sea Dogs 2015 season on Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field when the Sea Dogs host the Reading Fightin Phils.

"Keith is one of the most beloved meteorologists in Portland history," stated Sea Dogs General Manager Geoff Iacuessa. "However, many Mainers cringed every time they saw he was returning to Maine this winter, as it meant another winter storm was coming. We want to give Mainers a reason to celebrate his return to our great state as we welcome the unofficial start of spring with the return of Sea Dogs baseball. We are counting on Keith to deliver good weather throughout our season."

Carson joined The Weather Channel in 2013 after spending three years at WCSH-6 in Portland. He was named the "Best TV Meteorologist" by Downeast Magazine. The Groton, Massachusetts native attended Lyndon State College in Vermont. In his career, he has also spent time at WPTZ-TV in Burlington, Vermont, and WSI in Andover, MA. 

"After this brutal winter across all of New England, I'm honored to help Mainers launch into spring with one of their favorite past times, watching the Sea Dogs," said Carson. "As far as the first pitch; I have three words for you: Leg kick fastball."

The Loranger Middle School Band under the direction of Trevor Lavenbein will perform the National Anthem on Opening Day. 

The Sea Dogs will be providing over 500 Portland students with free tickets to Opening Day. The Sea Dogs partnered with the Portland Recreation Department and the Portland Public Library to have students "Read Their Way to Opening Day" through a reading challenge put forth by Slugger and the Sea Dogs. The 500 students who met the Sea Dogs' challenge will participant in an on field parade on Opening Day.  

The Bellamy Jazz Band will entertain fans as they enter the ballpark.

Gates will open at 4:00 PM. Pre-game ceremonies will begin at approximately 5:30 PM with team introductions and the first-pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM.  

Tickets for Opening Day and all Sea Dogs' home games are available and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.