PORTLAND – South Portland’s Ed Farnsworth said he had been “counting down the days since Jan. 1.”

He was referring to the Portland Sea Dogs’ Monday home opener, which was witnessed by more than 5,000 people basking in sunshine and 74-degree temperatures at game time.

Farnsworth has been both an usher and a season-ticket holder since the inception of the Florida Marlins’ Eastern League (AA) affiliate in 1994.

“This has been great for the community,” said Farnsworth.

“I love the set-up here,” said first-year Sea Dogs manager Fredi Gonzalez upon getting his first look at Hadlock Stadium. “The people are right on top of the field.”

Gonzalez managed the Marlins’ Florida State League (Class A) franchise, Brevard County, last season.

Sea Dog pitcher Greg Mix, who has spent portions of the previous two seasons in Portland, said the summer-like weather came as a nice surprise.

“For once, we have good weather for opening day,” said Mix. “It’s usually dreary, cold and rainy.”

Mix is one of five Sea Dogs spending his third season in Portland. The others are infielder Tony Torres, left fielder Pookie Wilson, and pitchers Dan Chergey and Bryan Ward.

Nobody remains from the inaugural team.

Twelve former Sea Dogs are currently in the major leagues, including the Marlins’ double-play combination of shortstop Edgar Renteria and second baseman Luis Castillo.

Monday’s opening-day crowd was treated to a national anthem performed by the group The Tokens, whose biggest hit was “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Following the anthem, which was slightly marred by a microphone problem, former Boston Red Sox play-by-play man Ken Coleman threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He one-hopped it to catcher Ramsey Koeyers.

“It’s a great thrill to be here,” said Coleman before throwing the first pitch. “I’ll stay under the speed limit [55 mph]. I’m going to pitch from the stretch because when I used to pitch, there always seemed to be somebody on base.”

The game was not sold out, but president and general manager Charlie Eshbach wasn’t concerned, saying, “Monday at 4 o’clock” isn’t the best of times to fill the ballpark.

Home plate umpire Bill Welke, brother of American League umpire Tim Welke, said he was pleased to get Monday’s assignment.

“I love Portland. It’s a great ballpark. We have six umpires back this year and five of the six consider this their favorite ballpark,” said Welke.

The love affair between the Sea Dogs and the community is as strong as ever.

“I think I’ve only missed five games in three years,” said Windham’s Martin Read. “It’s an excellent brand of baseball, and they do everything they can to please the fans.”

“It’s nice to have our own team. It boosts everybody’s spirit,” said Windham’s Angela Anderson, who was celebrating her 31st birthday.

“It gives the community something to rally behind,” said South Portland’s Kristin Myers.

Windham’s David Willette said he likes the fact it’s a nice, safe atmosphere, and, “It gives my 15-year-old somebody to look up to.”

Farnsworth said he likes knowing he has someplace to take visitors during baseball season.

“And it’s affordable,” said Farnsworth.

“These are the best fans around,” said Mix.

The field was in good shape. Portland’s Rick Anderson, the man in charge of the grounds crew, said they worked seven days straight to get it ready for the opener.

“We had only three inches of snow in the last storm, but 18 inches piled up at home plate,” said Anderson as 1960s and ’70s rock music serenaded the fans on the PA system in the background. “The field will play a little slow. It’s soft.”

In other festivities, a sky diver landed at second base just before the Sea Dogs took the field in the top of the first and the grounds crew used a pig to drag the infield in the top of the sixth inning with the theme from the 1960s TV show “Green Acres” playing in the background.