Sea Dogs in playoff hunt
August 26, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Portland, Maine - With just ten games remaining on the Portland Sea Dogs' 2005 regular season schedule there still remain questions concerning the playoffs. The Sea Dogs magic number to clinch the Northern Division title is eight; Portland's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is six.
The Sea Dogs play their final three regular season home games this weekend against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays). All three games are Sold Out.
EASTERN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:
WHO PLAYS?
The Eastern League Playoffs consist of two rounds. In the Divisional Championship round, the first and second place teams in each of the two divisions (the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division) play each other in a best-of-five series (The first team to win three games advances). In the League Championship round the two teams that win the first round series play each other. Once again it is a best-of five series (The first team to win three games is the 2005 Eastern League Champion).
WHERE ARE THE GAMES?
In the first round (Division Championship), the first two games are in the home park of the team that finishes first in the division. Currently the Sea Dogs are in first place of the Northern Division, 3.5 games in front of Trenton. Game Three is in the home park of the team that finishes second in the division. If no team has swept the first three games, then Game Four is also at the home park of the second place team. If after Game Four the series is tied at two games apiece, the series moves back to the home field of the first place team.
In the finals (League Championship), the first two games are at the home ballpark of the winner of the Northern Division Championship series (the first round). The final three are in the home park of the winner of the Southern Division Championship series. This is determined on a rotating basis. On odd numbered years the format is as presented above. On even numbered years the Championship series would begin in the Southern Division Champion's ballpark and finish in the Northern Division Champion's field.
WHEN ARE THE GAMES?
The Eastern League Playoffs (Division Championships) begin on Wednesday, September 7th (the Wednesday after Labor Day). The first two games are on September 7th and 8th. Game Three is scheduled for Friday, September 9th. Game Four if necessary is set for Saturday, September 10th. And, if a Game Five is needed it will be played on Sunday, September 11th.
The League Championship will start on Tuesday, September 13th. Games One and Two will be on September 13th and 14th. Thursday, September 15th will be an off day for travel. Game Three is on tap for Saturday, September 17th, with Games Four and Five to be played on Sunday, September 18th and Monday, September 19th if necessary.
WHAT IF A GAME IS RAINED OUT?
If a game is rained out everything in the schedule listed above is pushed back one day.
WHEN DO THE SEA DOGS PLAY AT HADLOCK FIELD?
If the Sea Dogs stay in first place, the first round (Division Championship) games at Hadlock Field would be Game One (September 7th) and Game Two (September 8th). Game Five would also be at Hadlock Field if the series goes that far.
If the Sea Dogs end up in second place, they would be home for Game Three (September 9th) and Game Four (September 10th)
If the Sea Dogs advance to the final round (Championship Round) they would host Game One (September 13th) and Game Two (September 14th).
CAN I STILL GET TICKETS?
Yes. Tickets are on sale now. They may be purchased at the Sea Dogs' Ticket Office, ordered by phone (207) 879-9500 or purchased on-line at Seadogs.Com. Playoff ticket prices are the same as regular season prices.
WHEN ARE MY TICKETS GOOD FOR?
Tickets marked Playoff Game 1 are good for the first Sea Dogs' home game in the first round (Divisional Championship). If the game is rained out, they would still be good for Game One which would be rescheduled for the very next day.
Tickets marked Playoff Game 2 are good for the second Sea Dogs' home game in the first round (Divisional Championship). If the game is rained out they would still be good for Game Two which would be rescheduled for the very next day.
Tickets marked Playoff Game 3 will only be good if the Sea Dogs finish in first place and the first round (Divisional Championship) goes the full five games. If the game is rained out they would still be good for Game Five which would be rescheduled for the very next day.
Tickets marked Championship "A" would be good for Game One-Finals of the final round (League Championship). This game is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13th. If rain should delay completion of the first round (Divisional Championship) past Sunday, September 11th then this game would be pushed back until the second day after the completion of the first round. If the game is rained out they would still be good for Game One-Finals which would be rescheduled for the very next day.
Tickets marked Championship "B" would be good for Game Two-Finals of the final round (League Championship). This game is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th. If rain should delay completion of the first round (Divisional Championship) past Sunday, September 11th then this game would be pushed back until the third day after completion of the first round. If the game is rained out they would still be good for Game Two-Finals which would be rescheduled for the very next day.
WILL THE SECOND ROUND SCHEDULE CHANGE IF THE FIRST ROUND ENDS EARLY?
No. Even if both first round (Divisional Championship) series end after three games, the finals will still start on Tuesday, September 13th.
WHAT IF I BUY TICKETS AND MY GAME ISN'T PLAYED?
Any tickets purchased for games that are not played (i.e. Game Five of the first round (Divisional Championship) if the series is decided in four games or less) may be exchanged for 2006 season credit or are subject to refund. All refund requests must be received in the Sea Dogs Ticket Office by 5:00 PM on September 30th to be eligible for refunds.
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Eastern League Stories from August 26, 2005
- Curve hold off ninth-inning rally to earn 5-4 win over Akron - Altoona Curve
- Penn, Baysox offense author 7-2 win over R-Phils - Chesapeake Baysox
- Sea Dogs win on suicide squeeze in ninth - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Thunder blank B-Mets for sixth straight win - Trenton Thunder
- B-Mets shut out at Trenton - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Chris Roberson of the Reading Phillies named 2005 Eastern League Rookie of the Year - EL1
- Johnson, Tosca inducted into Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame - Portland Sea Dogs
- Baysox Playoff Tickets Go On Sale Monday - Chesapeake Baysox
- Bautista Selected to E.L. All-Star Team - Altoona Curve
- Three Sea Dogs named to Eastern League All-Star Team - Portland Sea Dogs
- Jacobs named Eastern League All-Star - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Maikel Jova will miss rest of season - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Eastern League announces 2005 All-Star team - EL1
- Mets go on the road - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Floyd learning to fly - Reading Fightin Phils
- Bowie Baysox continue playoff push - Chesapeake Baysox
- Sea Dogs in playoff hunt - Portland Sea Dogs
- Russ Taff post-game concert to highlight tonight's Curve faith night - Altoona Curve
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