LISBON – Lisbon Community School students were visited by catcher Alberto Concepcion and infielder Raul Nieves of the Portland Sea Dogs on May 25. They spoke with the students about life as professional baseball players and answered questions.

The students learned that both have been playing baseball since the age of 6, and they came to Maine from warmer climates. Concepcion is from Los Angeles and Nieves from Puerto Rico.

The players said the team travels eight to 10 hours for away games by bus. They enjoy playing for the Red Sox affiliate and were able to train with the Sox at spring training. They encouraged the students to make “good choices in life” and said “anything is possible.”

The students will attend a Portland Sea Dogs game on Friday, June 3.

The Parent-Teacher Organization held an essay contest for the sixth-grade students, who wrote about someone who is deserving enough to throw out the first pitch at the game. The players helped Principal Carlene Iverson announce the winner, Allison Mayorga. She submitted an essay about her step father, Gabriel Lopez, who is currently serving his country.

She wrote, “I think that he is very brave to leave his family for six months and even more,” and “He is a great coach who taught me how to follow my dreams…”

Lopez is due back in Maine on June 3 and will throw out the first pitch if everything stays on schedule. If he’s unable to be at the game, Allison will throw out the ball.