A March 14 snowstorm dumped 11 inches on Hadlock Field's home plate but crews have been hard at work getting the playing surface ready for the Sea Dogs' April 6 opener.

Icicles and deep snow coat one of the stairwells leading to the grandstand on Monday at Hadlock Field.

Ryan McGillivray of Sports Turf Specialties Inc. spreads black sand on the field Saturday. The sand absorbs the heat from the sun and helps to melt the snow faster.

Groundskeepers at Hadlock Field recently sprinkled the snow cover with black sand, speeding up the melting process.

McGillivray's spreader spits black sand on top of the snow that fell in last week's storm.

The snow in Portland is melting but some spots at Hadlock Field haven't yet been found by the sun.

With Opening Day fast approaching, snow cover on the playing field was greatly reduced after groundkeepers sprinkled black sand on its surface.