Despite Harsh Winter, Sea Dogs Will Be Ready Opening Day

(Photo Source: Yawkey Way Report)

Via Yawkey Way Report

As all New Englanders are well aware, the winter of 2014-15 has been one of the coldest and snowiest in recorded history. Portland, Maine has received nearly five feet of snow thus far, with nearly half of that total coming in February alone.

It is going to take more than a little snow to stop baseball from proceeding as planned in Portland, however, as the Sea Dogs announced via their website on Wednesday that they guarantee the season opener will be played as scheduled on Thursday, April 9 at Hadlock Field.

"We are ready for spring and confident that it will arrive along with [the] baseball season on April 9th," stated Sea Dogs General Manager Geoff Lacuessa, according to milb.com. "We have the best grounds crew in the league, I have no doubt we will be ready for the season opener, therefore I am guaranteeing Sea Dogs baseball will be played on April 9th in Portland."

To back up their guarantee, the Sea Dogs are doubling their usual rain check from one to two tickets of equal value to any future game, subject to availability.

Even with the guarantee, however, it's tough for anyone to predict what weather will be like along Maine's coast in early April. The Sea Dogs experienced the franchise's first "freeze out" in April of 2013, after temperatures in the mid-twenties froze the turf and made for "unplayable playing conditions".

The Sea Dogs are coming off a historic 2014 season, one that saw them win a franchise record 88 games, and reach the postseason for the first time in six seasons.

Red Sox phenom Mookie Betts began his 2014 campaign in Portland, before making his major league debut on June 29. In 52 games with the big league club, Betts hit .291/.368/.444 with five home runs and 18 RBIs.

Tickets are still available for the Sea Dogs' home opener, with prices starting at just $8.