MLB| Phils open Bright House with 5-1 Win Over Yanks

(Clearwater, FL) - Trivia question: Who hit the first homerun at the Phillies' new spring training camp, Bright House Park in Clearwater? Answer: Jimmy Rollins. J.Ro lead thePhillies to a 5-1 win over the Yankees, who sat Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada. Jim Thome added a solo homer in the sixth off former Phillies pitcher Paul Quantrill. Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu both went 1 for 2 and Eric Milton pitched three shutout innings.

Phillies Notes

(Philadelphia, PA) - Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday that April 15th will be an annual celebration of Jackie Robinson. On April 15th, 1947, Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers and changed baseball, society and politics for generations to come. It was April 15th, 1997 that Jackie Robinson's number 42 became the first number retired by a major sports league.

All 162 Phillies games will be on TV this year, including eight games on FOX, and at least one ESPN Sunday Night Baseball appearance. Most games, however will be carried by Comcast SportsNet & UPN. CN8 and CBS will carry one game a piece.

There will be no stay of execution for The Vet. The Phillies and Eagles' former home will be imploded by Brandenburg Industrial Service Company and Demolition Dynamics Company. Brandenburg, DDC and The Vet are scheduled to dance on March 21st. The implosion will take less than a minute, and a big chunk of South Philly will be cordoned off. The plot of land at Broad and Pattison will become a parking lot with the four Joe Brown statues that circled the stadium will be moved to the four corners of the lot.

The Phillies have several job opportunities posted on their official website. Several security positions and a marketing internship are open. More information here.

Early Injuries Hamper Phillies

(Clearwater, FL) - Tuesday afternoon the Phillies announced that catcher Todd Pratt could miss the first month of the season. The catcher was diagnosed with a torn medial meniscus in his left knee after having an MRI. If Pratt isn't ready for the trip north, the Phils may promote A.J. Hinch, a 29 year old non-roster player in camp who was expected to spend the majority of the year in Scranton. Hinch hit a notch better than Pratt last season with the Detroit Tigers. Pratt is seeking a second opinion, and the team has not decided if the injury requires an operation.

The MRI machine kept running for David Bell who suffered pain in his right knee on Saturday. The MRI showed only swelling. Bell, who missed half of the 2003 campaign with back problems, is optimisitc that he can be ready for Thursday's Grapefruit League opener against the Yankees.

Team doctors stayed busy and attended to Bobby Abreau who skipped Tuesday's intrasquad game after having back spasms. Jorge Padilla could file a short term workman's compensation claim. He was diagnosed with a grade 1 (mild) concussion after getting hit in the head by a pitch from Franklin Perez.

Accupuncture, anti-inflamatories and ice have helped to improve closer Billy Wagner's inflammed left middle finger. Just not enough to allow him to return to action. He'll be shut down until next Monday at the earliest, and the team will not hesitate to let him sit longer.

DRPA Suggests Riversharks Sale

(Camden, NJ) - "[The Riversharks need] a committed owner, not a caretaker whose ultimate objective is to further enrich the beneficiaries of a wealthy estate." That's what Delaware River Port Authority consel Richard Brown said in a letter sent to James Burns. Burns is the executor of the estate of Steven R. Shilling who was the founder and principle owner of the Sharks up until his death in May 2003.

Shilling was known for paying bills out of pocket when the team's bank account was short. However, a provision of his will forbids investing in non-profitable ventures. And with $9million loan from Soverign Bank, and a set of loans from DRPA worth an additional $8.5million, the Riversharks are swimming in debt. The team has been in negotiations to rework their loans, but the DRPA seems to be stonewalling.

Brown is quoted in the Courier-Post as saying, "Everybody wants baseball on the waterfront this spring and I firmly believe we will have it. But toll payers cannot assume all the pain. It has to be spread around. If the estate loses money in the sale, that's not my problem. I don't care what he sells the team for. Because of the terms of our $6.5 million - no payment until 2020 - it's essentially a grant anyway and everybody knows it."

Burns responded to the harsh letter calling it, "nasty and irresponsible."

The problem comes with the DRPA's refusal to relinquish a valid claim on money from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The second $2million loan was to be paid to the DRPA next year, leaving the larger $6.5million loan payable in 2020. The state wants to redirect the $2million from the CRDA to pay off debts owed to Soverign Bank.

The Riversharks are a viable team. They play in a financially stable and growing league. Unfortunately, Shilling's estate has admitted that once the current financial mess is fixed, the team will be sold. Camden opens the 2004 season on May 6th, hosting the league's barnstorming team, the Pennsylvania RoadWarriors. Campbell's Field will also host the 2004 Atlantic League All-Star Game on July 14th.

Everything's Quiet...a Little Too Quiet.

(Clearwater, FL) - The Phillies have had a very quiet Spring Training so far. No news has come out of Clearwater since Billy Wagner was put on the shelf with an inflammed finger. But you can see the Phillies for the tirst time this Friday when they play the New York Yankees at 1:15 on ESPN from Tampa.

Reading Phillies Tickets on Sale Monday

(Reading, PA) - Individual game tickets for the 2004 Reading Phillies season go on sale Monday March 1st. Prices for adult admission range from $5.50 to $7.50 (I hear if you slide the usher a tenner, they let you catch an inning or two). The RPhils will have 15 firework nights, and all sorts of your standard fare minor league promotions. Tickets availible now at ReadingPhillies.com

CubicleJockey Fantasy Baseball League

Interested in playing fantasy baseball for free? We've got you covered. You can join the CubicleJockey Fantasy League, a custom league on Yahoo's fantasy baseball server.

The league has 19 openings (we'll be fielding a team). Each week your team competes head to head against another team.

Points awarded for:
Offensive categories: Runs, homeruns, RBI's, stolen bases, put outs and assists
Pitching categories: Wins, complete games, shutouts, saves, strikeouts and ERA.

To join the league go to baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com and follow prompts to sign up for the 2004 free season. Use league ID # 154367 password: jockey

Thunder Hire 1st Female Groundskeeper in EL History

(Trenton, NJ) - The Trenton Thunder of the AA Eastern League made history today when they announced the hiring of Nicole Sherry, the first female head groundskeeper in the league's 80 year history. Sherry comes to the Thunder with high recommendations after serving as a co-head groundskeeper at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Sherry is replacing interim head groundskepper Josh Ingle, who is going to Athens to help oversee field maintenance at the Olympic facilities.

AC Surf to Host Father's Day Fantasy Camp

(Atlantic City) - The Atlantic League's Atlantic City Surf announced that they will a host a one day fantasy camp on June 20th before their game against the Newark Bears. For $75 you can treat your pop to a game on the field. The $75 includes a batting practice jersey, a game cap, a BBQ apron, breakfast and free parking. Registration is limited to the first 32 men ages 18 and older, and registration begins at 8:30am.

Wagner Shelved for One Week

(Clearwater, FL) - Billy Wagner was sent to get an MRI after throwing 38 pitches in today's rain-shortened first day of camp. He experienced 'discomfort' in his left index finger. Results were negative for any dammage but showed inflammation in the finger. Wagner will sit out one week of camp to let it fully heal. No one with the Phillies showed any signs of concern with their high-dollar gunner's finger this early in camp.