Clearwater plays hosts to local Phils fans
In another day the lockers will be cleaned out. The trucks will start heading north. Another spring training in Clearwater will be in the books. In fact, it will be the close of the 72nd consecutive spring training in Clearwater for the Phillies.
And the regular season opens on its earliest date, March 29, Thursday in Atlanta. There is an understandable buzz about this young team.
While the play on the field and the statistics in the books are the most important facets of spring training – after all, the major focus is to get the Phillies ready for another season of Major League Baseball – there are a lot of people who make this annual pilgrimage for other reasons.
Phillies spring training in Clearwater has become a ritual for many people. The atmosphere of the town is almost as much a part of the allure as the games.
For any self-respecting Phillies fan, the day usually begins with breakfast at Lenny’s Restaurant, just a short walk from Spectrum Field. This iconic Phillies-themed restaurant has been the morning meeting place for baseball addicts for more than 30 years. The most common sight is a line of people out the door, all clad in Phillies red.
Spectrum Field is one of the best spring training parks in baseball. Great sight lines, plenty of amenities, and a grassed outfield terrace for viewing the game … or sunbathing.
Once the crowd starts to funnel in, the scene takes on the atmosphere of a grand reunion. It’s tough to go a few steps without seeing another familiar face.
Of course the familiar non-uniform personnel also serve as some of the best ambassadors in the game.
King of Prussia’s Scott Palmer, the former Channel 6 sports director, handles video duties for the Phillies. But he also is deeply involved in making many of the groups that come to Spectrum Field feel at home.
Blue Bell’s Chris Wheeler, the former on-air color analyst, handles public address announcing. But before and after every game he is always engaged with the many fans who want to shake his hand and swap stories.
North Wales’ John Brazer, the Phillies Director of Fun and Games, has one of the best job titles in the world. And he lives it. He makes spring training an eternal playground.
Negotiating the crowds in the concourse at Spectrum Field is always a stop-and-go effort. There is a familiar face at every turn.
Plymouth Country Club member Joe Zakrzewski was in tour-guide mode. “I have a group down here. They’re all over this place … and having a blast. I never get tired of coming back here.”
For Roxborough’s Vinny Falchetta it was a different type of experience. Taking a few days off from his job as train engineer mostly on Septa’s R9 line from Norristown to Center City, he was making his first visit to spring training.
“I think I like this even better than Citizens Bank Park,” said Falchetta. “The atmosphere is smaller, friendlier. It seems like everyone in the hotels and restaurants are really into the whole Phillies thing.”
In his group of five there were three first-time attendees, a secondtimer and one who has been to many spring trainings. The passion of the veteran Clearwater visitor certainly has been passed down the line.
No other sport enjoys a marketing bonanza anything like baseball spring training. It immediately catches the attention of the first-time attendee – and ingrains the tradition in the repeat visitor.
Call it a heavy shot of unpaid advertising, with a Florida sunshine chaser.