PORTLAND, Maine – For me, nothing says summer like Maine and baseball.With the Portland Sea Dogs just less than 100 miles away local families can enjoy a good brand of minor league baseball while spending time in Vacationland and not being asked to spend a lot of money.This past weekend I went on a one-day road trip with my wife and 6-year-old daughter up Route 1 (If you have the time it is a much more pleasurable drive) to Hadlock Field in Portland, the home of the Boston Red Sox AA affiliate Portland Sea Dogs.What makes the Sea Dogs a perfect trip is the affordability. With the highest-price tickets going for $9 it is truly a place a family can afford, even when you factor in the hot dogs, sodas, ice cream, popcorn and the half a tank of gas.We opted for three reserved seats which sell for $8 each. We were in the second level of seats just to the right of home plate. We were close enough to hear the ball popping in the catcher’s mitt as well as the banter that goes on between players.The concession stands at Hadlock are also wallet friendly with hot dogs, sodas and popcorn all going for less than three bucks. We splurged to get the ice cream sundae in the plastic Sea Dogs helmet (how can you not take that souvenir home?) for $4.25.So, with the tickets, hot dogs, sodas, popcorn and sundaes the day at the park cost $56. A little less than it will cost you to buy one grandstand seat in right field to watch the Red Sox play next week against the Rangers.While it is getting harder and harder to get tickets, or for that matter pay for tickets to Fenway, Hadlock is a perfect alternative especially if you have young children who are entertained by “Slugger,” the team’s mascot, as well as music and games between innings. There truly is no down time when you take in a Sea Dogs game.Hadlock also sports the “Maine Monster” – its version of Fenway’s “Green Monster” – in left field. The Maine Monster, like the Green Monster, is 37 feet high.What makes minor league baseball fun for me is that you get a chance to see tomorrow’s Major League Baseball players today.Of the top 10 Red Sox prospects according to Baseball America, two are currently on the Sea Dogs roster. Infielder Lars Anderson, ranked the top Sox prospect and outfielder Josh Reddick, listed as the fifth-best prospect.With everyone worried about the economy and watching every dollar they spend, the Sea Dogs offer a lot of entertainment for short money.If you Go?The Portland Sea Dogs play their home games at Hadlock Field, 271 Park Ave., Portland.Phone: 1-800-936-DOGSWeb site:portlandseadogs.comTicket prices: Box seats and Pavilion, $9; Reserved, $8; General Admission, $7. Allticket prices are $1less for children (16 and under) and seniors(62 and older).June home schedule: Binghamton June 1-4; Trenton June 5-7; Erie June 16-18; Akron June 19-21 and New Britain June 30 and July 1-3.Directions:95 north, slight right at I-295 north (signs for S Portland), take Exit 5 for ME-22 andfollow signsto Congress Street.