Sea Dogs to Play at Fenway Park on August 20th
After a one year absence, the Red Sox Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs will return to take part in the 2011 Futures at Fenway. They will be joined by the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's Triple-A affiliate in the International League. Portland will face off against the Binghamton Mets (Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets Organization) in the first game at 1:05 p.m. while Pawtucket will battle the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals Organization) in the second game of the doubleheader.
Kids attending the event will be selected randomly throughout the day to participate in a number of exciting activities including mascot races and other on-field activities. Additionally, youngsters will be able to get autographs from the players during autograph sessions scheduled on the Big Concourse.
Tickets will be available for fans to sit in ballpark locations many have never before had the chance to enjoy, such as the Green Monster Seats, on the Right Field Roof Deck, in the Dugout Seats, and EMC Club and State Street Pavilion. For the fifth consecutive year, prices will start as low as $5.00 (for Bleacher seats) and range up to just $30.00 (for Green Monster Seats, Dugout Seats, the EMC Club and the State Street Pavilion Club). In addition, discounted concession items will be available for fans attending Futures at Fenway.
Fans who purchased tickets to the 2010 Futures at Fenway rain-shortened doubleheader will have a special pre-sale opportunity beginning at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 8 via the internet at www.redsox.com or by calling (877) REDSOX-9. Those fans will be contacted directly via email with further details on the purchasing process.
Additionally, tickets purchased during the pre-sale will be loaded with value for use at concession stands on August 20. Tickets priced at $5.00 and $10.00 will receive a loaded value of $5.00 and tickets priced at $20.00 and $30.00 will have a loaded value of $10.00 added to them. This exclusive loaded value opportunity will only be available to the 2010 Futures at Fenway ticket purchasers who take part in the pre-sale.
Red Sox season ticket holders, members of Red Sox Nation and members of Red Sox Kid Nation presented by Hood will also have an advanced opportunity to purchase tickets. Those fans will be contacted over the next few days.
Tickets go on sale to the general public Saturday, February 12. Fans can visit www.redsox.com or call (877) REDSOX-9 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Fans with disabilities may also call (877) REDSOX-9 to purchase accessible seating. The Red Sox' TTY number for hearing-impaired fans is (617) 226-6644.
Tickets are NOT available through the Portland Sea Dogs' Ticket Office.
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino originally approached the Red Sox five years ago with the idea to host minor league games at Fenway Park.
"Events like Futures at Fenway reflect the team's commitment to creating opportunities for more fans to experience America's Most Beloved Ballpark," said Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino. "Thanks to the suggestion of Mayor Menino, the generous support of presenting sponsor Xfinity, and the family-friendly ticket prices, this summer many of our fans will enjoy a relaxing day of minor league fun at Fenway watching the franchise's future stars in action."
Although records are incomplete, the games in 2006 are believed to be the first minor league games played at Fenway Park since the 1977 Eastern League All-Star Game. The last known regular season minor league game played at Fenway had been a 1966 Eastern League contest between Pittsfield (Red Sox) and Pawtucket (Indians).
This marks the Sea Dogs' third appearance in the Futures at Fenway event. The Sea Dogs are 2-0 in games played at Fenway Park. The Sea Dogs first played at Fenway Park on August 11, 2007 with the Sea Dogs defeating the Harrisburg Senators 12-11 in front of 34,746 fans. The Sea Dogs returned to participate in the Futures at Fenway event in 2009; on August 8th the Sea Dogs edged the Bowie Baysox 3-2 in front of 32,251 fans.
The Sea Dogs will open the 2011 season at home on Thursday, April 7th at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field against the Reading Phillies. Tickets for the 2011 season are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.
The 2011 season will be the Sea Dogs 18th year in Portland and ninth as a Boston Red Sox affiliate. The Sea Dogs are Maine's most affordable professional sports entertainment.