The Portland Sea Dogs will get the opportunity to play at America's "Most Beloved Ballpark", Fenway Park, on Saturday, August 11th. The event is part of the second annual "Future's at Fenway presented by Filene's Basement" minor league doubleheader. Last year the Single-A Lowell Spinners and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox were featured in the unique doubleheader.

The 2007 “Futures at Fenway, Presented by Filene’s Basement” doubleheader will feature a return by the Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox’ short-season Single-A affiliate, and the first appearance by the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston’s Double-A farm club. Lowell will square off against the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay organization) in a New York-Penn League contest beginning at 12:05 p.m. That game will be followed by Portland and the Harrisburg Senators (Washington organization) in a match-up of Eastern League teams. The Fenway Park gates open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Both games will be nine innings in duration, there will be approximately one hour in between games.

Several thousand tickets for “Futures at Fenway, Presented by Filene’s Basement” still remain and are on sale via the internet at www.redsox.com or by touch-tone telephone at (617) 482-4SOX. Fans with disabilities may call (877) REDSOX-9 to purchase accessible seating (while supplies last).

As was the case in 2006, family-friendly ticket prices and kid-friendly activities will highlight this day of minor league fun at America’s “Most Beloved Ballpark”. Originally the vision of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the inaugural “Futures at Fenway” on August 26, 2006 attracted a capacity crowd of 33,394 for a twinbill between Lowell and Oneonta and Pawtucket and Rochester. Those were the first minor league games played at Fenway Park since the 1977 Eastern League All-Star Game and the first regular season minor league contests since 1966.

Kids attending “Futures at Fenway Presented by Filene’s Basement” will be selected randomly throughout the day to participate in a number of exciting activities, such as working with the grounds crew, participating in mascot races and taking part in other on-field activities. Additionally, youngsters will be able to get autographs from the players during autograph sessions scheduled on the Big Concourse.

Lowell (26-22, 3rd in Stedler Division) will start lefthander Jose Capellan (4-2, 3.40), who ranks fourth in the New York-Penn League in innings pitched (53.0) and strikeouts (53). He will be opposed by Hudson Valley (20-28, 4th in McNamrara Division) righthander Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.18). The National Anthem prior to Game 1 will be performed by Ronnie Jones, the winner of the Spinners “Idol Contest” while Lowell Spinners Owner Drew Weber will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Portland (61-52, 2nd in North Division) will start righthander Michael Bowden (6-4, 4.28), who is 3-0, 2.25 in his last four outings. Harrisburg (40-77, 6th in South Division) will counter with righthander Beltran Perez (6-5, 4.81). Prior to the second game, the National Anthem will be sung by Jeremy Porter, who has performed those honors at numerous SeaDogs games. The ceremonial first pitch will be tossed by 16-year-old Kelly Lynch of Milton, MA, the winner of the Filene’s Basement Ceremonial First Pitch Sweepstakes. Kelly’s family rescheduled their summer vacation so she could participate in Saturday’s ceremony.

Filene’s Basement is the presenting sponsor of “Futures at Fenway” for the first time in 2007 and has added a number of perks for fans. Filene’s Basement “Families of the Game” will be selected at random during the minor league doubleheader to receive $100 Basement gift cards and tickets to future Red Sox home games. Fans presenting a ticket stub from the 2007 “Futures at Fenway” day will receive a 15% discount on one item at any of Filene’s Basement’s seven locations in the Greater Boston area.

“Futures at Fenway Presented by Filene’s Basement” will also be televised by NESN for the second consecutive year. Glenn Geffner and Ken Ryan will call the action for both games with Kathryn Tappen hosting the between-games show.

All Sea Dogs offices will be closed on Saturday, August 11th including the Sea Dogs Souvenir Store and Ticket Office.

Red Sox Minor League Awards for July:
Offensive Player of the Month: C Dusty Brown, Portland (.455 BA, 8 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, .516 OBP, .800 SLG)

Pitcher of the Month: RHP Justin Masterson, Portland (4-0, 1.36, 33.0 IP, 35 SO)

Defensive Player of the Month: OF Josh Reddick, Greenville

Base-Stealer of the Month: Victor Serrano, Gulf Coast Red Sox

Dominican Summer League Player of the Month: OF Ronald Bermudez

Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Month: RHP Randy Consuegra

Friday's Sea Dogs News & Notes:
The Boston Red Sox have promoted infielder Aaron Bates to the Sea Dogs from Single-A Lancaster. Sea Dogs’ infielder Chad Spann has been placed on the disabled list creating room for Bates on the Sea Dogs’ 24-man roster. Bates will wear uniform # 25.

The 23-year old Bates has appeared in 98 games with the JetHawks this season, he leads the California League with 24 home runs and ranks fourth in the league in hitting with a .332 average. He also leads the league in on base percentage (.456) and ranks third in slugging percentage (.592). Bates became the first player in California League history to hit four home runs in one game on May 19, 2007. He was honored as the California League Player of the Week for the week of April 30th through May 6th. Bates was selected by the Red Sox in the third round of the June 2006 draft.

Friday's Sea Dogs lineup:
Jeff Natale, 1B
Jeff Corsaletti, CF
Jay Johnson, LF
Dusty Brown, C
Andrew Pinckney, 3B
Bryan Pritz, DH
Cory Keylor, RF
Iggy Suarez, SS
Zach Borowiak, 2B
Justin Masterson, P

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