PORTLAND — The Portland Sea Dogs will celebrate their 20th season of play on April 18 (the date of the Sea Dogs’ first home game in 1994) at 6 p.m. when the Sea Dogs host the New Britain Rock Cats.

Eleven former Sea Dogs are expected to return to Portland to take part in the celebration, highlighted by Hall of Fame catcher Charles Johnson.

Players expected to attend are Florida Marlins-affiliated Johnson, outfielders Fletcher Bates, Glenn Reeves and Pookie Wilson, and infielders Heath Honeycutt and Drew Niles. Red Sox-affiliated alumni are pitchers Ryan Cameron and Marc Deschenes, catcher John Nathans, outfielder Jay Johnson and manager Todd Claus.

Season ticket holders, sponsors and employees who have been with the organization for all 20 seasons will also be recognized at the game.

Johnson and the other Sea Dogs’ alums will attend a pregame VIP reception in the Hadlock Field picnic area. A limited number of VIP reception tickets are available to the public.

Tickets are $24 and include access to the VIP picnic area with the players, ballpark picnic style meal and game ticket. All of the players, including Johnson, will host an autograph session in the concourse after pre-game ceremonies.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.seadogs.com, or by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 879-9500.

The Sea Dogs will open their 20th season on April 4 at 6 p.m. against the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees) at Hadlock Field.