SLUGGER TO WALK FROM FENWAY PARK TO HADLOCK FIELD

Slugger to Celebrate His 20th Birthday by Raising

Money & Awareness for Tourette's Syndrome 

Portland, Maine- Portland Sea Dogs mascot, Slugger the Sea Dog, will walk from Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts to Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine to raise money and awareness for Tourette's Syndrome (TS).

Slugger will depart from the warning track at Fenway Park at 12:00 Noon on Sunday, May 4th, just before that afternoons Red Sox game against the Oakland Athletics.  He is scheduled to arrive at Hadlock Field on his 20th birthday; Thursday, May 8th in time for that evening's 6:00 PM Sea Dogs game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The fundraising event will take Slugger on a 114 mile journey.

Tourette's Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder characterized by involuntary sudden movements and vocalizations, known as tics. It is little understood and can be difficult to witness. And it affects kid's right here in Maine; kids who are often bullied for something they just can't control.

The money raised through Slugger's walk will go to Tourette's-related non-profits: the Tourette's Syndrome Association for their Youth Ambassador Program and Camp Twitch and Shout, a camp for kids with Tourette's Syndrome.

Donations can be made online at www.seadogs.com.  Slugger is hoping to raise $20,000 in honor of his 20th birthday.

Everyone who contributes will receive a special gift from Slugger.

"As a non-profit camp for kids with Tourette's, we rely on donations," stated Camp Twitch & Shout President Tricia Kardon.  "We are happy to be part of Slugger's epic adventure and sincerely thank him for going the extra mile for children with Tourette's."

Slugger will be blogging and tweeting about his training and his journey.  Slugger's training blog can be found at www.seadogs.com and follow him on Twitter at @Slugger_SeaDog. Town Square Media will have live interviews with Slugger's trainer during the walk.

Slugger, the Sea Dogs Director of Crowd Entertainment, has entertained over seven million fans at Hadlock Field since arriving from the waters of Casco Bay in 1994.

Slugger to Host Mascot Boot Camp

Learn What it is Like to be a Professional Mascot
Portland, Maine - Slugger the Sea Dog, Minor League Baseball's hardest working mascot, will be holding a Mascot Boot Camp on Saturday, November 9th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Hadlock Field.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a professional mascot? Well here is your chance! Slugger and his trainer will be leading a mascot camp to give people the chance to see if they have what it takes do to the YMCA on the dugouts at Hadlock Field. Join Slugger for a day of mascoting, as you learn about his life and legacy with the Portland Sea Dogs, his signature dance moves, how to run the bases and most importantly, what it means to be a mascot.

Pre-registration is required. Interested participants can register online at www.seadogs.com. The deadline to register for the camp is Monday, October 21st. A suggested donation of $20.00 to Slugger's favorite charity, the Maine Children's Cancer Program, is all that is asked of interested participants.

This mascot boot camp is perfect for anyone who has a desire to perform as a mascot or current mascot performers who want to improve their skills.

The Sea Dogs will provide lunch and the mascot suits for the day. All you need to bring is yourself. Participants should come dressed in workout clothes and be prepared to wear mascot suits, run obstacle courses, and dance. No prior training or skills are necessary.

The Sea Dogs open the 2014 season on the road in Reading, Pennsylvania on April 3rd.  The home opener is set for Thursday, April 10th at 6:00 PM against the New Britain Rock Cats.  Tickets for the 2014 season will go on sale on Saturday, November 2nd at 9:00 AM.

Discovering Maine's Rocky Coast With Kids: Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Discovering Maine's Rocky Coast With Kids: Take Me Out To The Ball Game
By Maine Author Jennifer Ellen Parker
004-Batter Up!  Buoy Bat team takes a road trip to Portland, ME.

One of our favorite trips of the Summer is to jump into the car and head up the coast to Portland to take in a Seadogs game at Hadlock Field.  Last night we had the pleasure of taking three of our friends to their very first game.  We piled into the car just after dinner and made our way up 95 North.   My friend asked me if I was good taking the five kids on my own and I smiled and answered, “of course.”   We’ve spent the first half of the Summer exploring the nooks and crags of the rocky shores of Maine, combing the beaches for starfish, clam shells, periwinkles, and sand dollars.  Last night,  we traded in our boogie boards and shovels for pretzels, popcorn, and Seadog Biscuits.

We pulled into a space across the street from the field and tied our sweatshirts around our waists.  The crowds were filing past us and lining up to enter the stadium.  We paused for a quick photo op with Slugger and then made our way into the food court.  The kids whirled with excitement as they were greeted by the sweet salty smells of concession and their ears filled with the sound of the announcer’s voice.  They skipped to the last set of stairs on the left side of the stadium and made their way up the short flight of stairs and out onto the seating deck.  They started pointing out the familiar icons of Hadlock field, the giant LL Bean boot, the mini green wall, the Ford logo above the giant screen, and yes the inflatable tooth ready and armed for brushing.

As we got ourselves situated in section 114 – row K, I looked down the seats at the next generation getting ready to enjoy one of America’s greatest pastimes.  Their eyes were wide and their smiles twice as long as the distance from home plate to first base.  Somewhere during the fifth inning the first heavy drop fell on my shoulder.  I held my breath and waited for the next, and then waited to see when any of the kids would notice it had begun to rain on our parade.  The drops came slow and heavy as the skies filled with an enormous dark cloud.  The crowds began watching the skies more than the game and as the wind shook the inflatable tooth and made him appear as if he were dancing, the smiles turned into a bit of fret.  Lightning flashed in the sky behind Maine Medical and fans began to leave their seats and the game.  The kids turned to me.  They wanted to leave, well three out of the five did.  I looked to my left and saw blue skies coming in just as fast as the black ones had.  Their worry was soon replaced with awe as fans in the stands pointed to the sky and a full rainbow appeared over the luscious green baseball field.  The kids rose from their seats and filled with excitement and laughter, exclaimed that this had been the best night ever!

The game lasted three hours and the Seadogs won  7-0.  The kids experienced the full gamut of weather in New England at Hadlock Field.   The Rocky Coast of Maine not only offers some of the very best body surfing on the East Coast it also offers up one of our all time greatest games, baseball!