MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017
Another great day. It got up to 84 today and it was sunny most of it. My seat is in the sun for most of the game and about the 6th inning the shadows catch up. My tan lines are getting more pronounced each day. If you are coming down, don’t forget the sunscreen. While I was waiting to get in, I watched some of the pitchers go through fielding drills on the short field in front of the stadium, After my laps around the concourse, I had pizza for lunch. While I was sitting there, I saw a man I know who works for the Phillies and Threshers. He was setting up a table to get people to buy Thresher tickets when their season on April 6. I asked him if they were expecting larger crowds next month. He said yes, that they had started so early because of the World Classic and the same thing happened the last time the classic was held.
I picked up a schedule from the office in the Spectrum. The games will start on March 14. After that, there will be two minor league level games, everyday in the Carpenter Complex. Remember, the games are free, but if the Phils’ major league team is playing in the stadium, the parking at the complex will not be free. If anyone is interested, I suggest that they stop by either the complex, or stadium office and get a schedule and plan your games when the Phillies are away.
The Phils did a little hitting today. They hit four home runs, one each by Joseph, Kingery, Stassi, and Altherr all circled the bases. Once again Stassi got the game winning hit, a three run dinger in the 8th. He is starting to make a habit of it. Think maybe he is sending a message? I have to say something about Kingery. He went 3 for 4 today with a homer and a double. That is eye catching, but another thing caught my eye. He is really quick in the field. He made a couple really spectacular plays in the field. Someone recently described Kingery as the Phillies’ latest version of Denny Doyle, but what I am seeing is cause to with hold judgement on him.
Buckholtz started and had a good first inning, but got into trouble in the second inning. Fortunately he got a little help from his friends and managed to get of the second without giving up a run. Pivetta had a good first inning, but struggled for two more. He is the first Phillies’ pitcher this spring to go three innings. Elniery Garcia and Pivetta gave up 4 of the 5 runs that the pitching staff gave up.
Odds & Ends. I did a double take when I looked at the lineup board in the concourse. It had Joseph catching. The double take brought home that it was Caleb Joseph and he was catching for the Orioles. The crowd today was only 4,109. That’s about half of what it should be. The wind was blowing out to left at 12mph.
The Phils are away the next two days. I’m going to the beach. I haven’t been there since last Friday night.