PORTLAND, Maine — Portland has been named the Best Road City in minor league baseball in Baseball America’s inaugural Best of the Minors list.
The survey conducted by Baseball America asked minor league broadcasters and executives to identify some of the best parts of the minor league atmosphere.
Every ballot from a voter in the Eastern League named Portland as the best road city, and Portland also captured votes from outside the league to claim the top honor.
Portland is the home of the Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
“We consistently hear how much players, broadcasters, and executives love coming to Portland,” Sea Dogs Executive Vice-President and General Manager Geoff Iacuessa said in a news release. “They love the world-class dining, award winning microbrews, Portland’s vibrant night life, and the beautiful seaside community that Portland offers. We also hear how much the players enjoy playing in front of large crowds at Hadlock.”
The Sea Dogs were also recognized by Baseball America for receiving votes in the Most Creative Promotions Team category.
In 2014 Portland was named the Best Minor League Baseball Town in America in a study by financial technology company, SmartAsset. The study scored towns based on two scores: quality of life and minor league baseball experience.
The Sea Dogs open at 7:05 p.m. Thursday against the Reading Fightin Phils in Reading, Pennsylvania, and their home opener is at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14 against the Hartford Yard Goats.