PORTLAND — There was a time that Carol Spencer didn’t like baseball. Then she started going to Portland Sea Dogs games at Hadlock Field.
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“After a week or so,’’ said Don Spencer, “she loved it.’’
That was 1994. Now, as the Sea Dogs open their 20th season as Portland’s Double-A team, the Spencers can be found just about every game in their seats in Section 108, Row M.
They have had season tickets to the Sea Dogs “since Day One,’’ according to Carol. And they haven’t missed many games. “Never more than a couple a year,’’ said Don Spencer. “And those are usually the noon games.’’
That’s because those games interfere with the work schedule of Don Spencer, 75, a parts salesman at O’Connor Motors on Warren Avenue in Portland. Carol Spencer, 74, is retired.
Don has always loved baseball. But Carol found it boring to watch on television.
Once she started attending games at Hadlock Field, her outlook changed. The facility and the Sea Dogs are perfect for her.
She’s been to Fenway Park once and found it overwhelming.
“It’s just really nice being here,’’ she said. “We’ve met a lot of good friends in the stands. It’s almost like a family-type thing.
“And we’ve got to know some of the players, mostly the pitchers because they sit in the stands (when charting pitches). We’ve become pretty close to a couple of them.’’
She spoke fondly of Brandon Leese (in Portland from 1998-2000) and Nate Bump (1999-2002).
In the early years, the Spencers bought four season tickets (they now have three) and would sometimes give them away to customers or friends.
“Then the night would come and I’d say, ‘I really want to go to the game,’ ” said Carol Spencer. “So we’d go and buy (general admission) tickets.’’
Don Spencer said they’ve learned to prepare for the weather. “We probably have 20 Sea Dogs blankets,’’ he said. “And just about everything else they’ve sold there.’’
While they love their baseball, the Spencers couldn’t pick any specific favorite moments.
“My favorite moments are always near the end,’’ said Carol Spencer, “when we come from behind and win.’’
Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:
mlowe@pressherald.com
Twitter: MikeLowePPH
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