Spring Training

Gov. Scott Proposes Funding for Spring Training Stadiums in Florida

Scott's proposed $5 million annual fund is aimed at renovating stadiums and keeping teams like Clearwater's Phillies in Florida for spring training.

Gov. Rick Scott is proposing a $5 million annual fund aimed at renovating stadiums and keeping Major League Baseball teams in Florida for spring training. Scott unveiled the plan Wednesday during a stop at the Detroit Tigers' spring facility in Lakeland. The funds would be used only for spring training facilities, Scott's office said, and local governments would be required to match at least 50 percent of project costs. State contributions would be capped at $20 million, and the Department of Economic Opportunity would review and approve the match "to ensure it provides a return on investment for taxpayers," Scott's office said. Scott said the initiative fits with his goal of growing jobs in Florida. "We must protect and enhance this vital…

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Phillies' Roy Halladay to Pitch in Clearwater

The injured Philadelphia right-hander could be in line for a rehab start with the Threshers this week, according to the Phillies' website.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay could make a rehab start Thursday with the Clearwater Threshers, the team's website reports. Halladay, who has been on the disabled list since May 29 because of a shoulder strain, was slated to travel to Florida after the Phillies' loss to the Atlanta Braves this past Sunday. The right-hander is scheduled to throw his fourth bullpen session Tuesday in Clearwater and, if that goes well, he would make a rehab start with the Class A Threshers on Thursday, the Phillies' website reports. The Threshers host the Fort Myers Miracle at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bright House Field, 601 N. Old Coachman Road. Halladay isn't the first injured Phillies superstar to rehab in Clearwater this year. Second baseman Chase …

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Utley Added to Threshers Roster

Chase Utley, listed as the designated hitter, will bat third in the lineup against the Tampa Yankees on Tuesday night.

Phillies All-Star second baseman Chase Utley is joining the Clearwater Threshers on a rehab assignment Tuesday, according to the team. Utley, listed as the designated hitter, will bat third as the Threshers take on the Tampa Yankees at 7 p.m. at Bright House Field, 601 N. Old Coachman Road. Brody Colvin (3-4, 5.03 ERA) will take the mound against Sean Black (1-3, 6.44 ERA).  Tickets, drinks and hot dogs are $1 for the Tuesday promotion at the ballpark. Utley missed the season opener with a knee injury shrouded in secrecy. There was no timetable for his return, but Utley did say that he would play this season, according to MLB.com.

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Two Phillies Rehabbing With Threshers This Weekend

Jim Thome and Michael Martinez are in Clearwater on rehab assignments and will join the local team for this weekend's games.

The Threshers will be aided by some Major League talent this weekend, as Phillies players Jim Thome and Michael Martinez will suit up for Clearwater as part of their injury rehab assignments, according to a release from the team. The Threshers play the Palm Beach Cardinals at 6:30 tonight and Saturday, and again at 1 p.m. Sunday.  For the complete Threshers game schedule and tickets, visit clearwater.threshers.milb.com.

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Spring Training

Clearwater Spring Training Guide

It’s that time of year again! Clearwater Patch tells you everything you need to know about spring training for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Grapefruit League.

For hardcore baseball fans and lovers of gorgeous weather, there’s no sweeter phrase than “pitchers and catchers report.”  The Philadelphia Phillies officially kicked off their 2012 spring campaign on Saturday, when pitchers and catchers reported to Bright House Field. The rest of the position players have until Thursday to check in.  As we count the days until the first game, Patch presents a fan’s guide to Phillies spring training.  What do I need to know about Bright House Field?  The Phillies home ballpark is located at 601 Old Coachman Road.  Bright House Field is located near U.S. 19 and Gulf to Bay Boulevard (State Road 60), making it easy to get anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater Beach and Tampa International …

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Spring Training

Spring Training Tickets on Sale This Week

Here are some players and games to keep an eye on in the Grapefruit League, and a guide to restaurants and hotels near the ballparks.

Spring training tickets are starting to go on sale for the Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies and other teams in Florida's Grapefruit League. Single-game tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. today for the Phillies. The Rays haven't specified an on-sale date yet, but according to MLB.com, single-game tickets will go on sale in mid-January. Spring training, which begins in March, will be the first chance for fans to see the Phillies' offseason acquisitions:  The Rays' offseason acquisitions include:  The Phillies' spring schedule and the Rays' spring schedule include two head-to-head matchups: on Thursday, March 15 in Charlotte County, and on Thursday, March 29 in Clearwater. Here's the on-sale schedule for all Grapefruit League teams, from MLB.…

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Carpenter Complex Upgrades Go Through

The Phillies' spring training facility will get nearly $3 million in improvements after city officials approved spending the money for an expanded weight room and batting cages at Thursday's council meeting.

City leaders have unanimously approved spending $2.9 million to pay for improvements to the Philadelphia Phillies spring training facility. The multimillion dollar improvements come in the midst of renegotiating employee pensions and on the heels of a belt-tightened budget, with plans for another next year. The money comes from general reserves and pays for upgrades that include an expanded weight room and batting cages at the 45-year-old, four-field Carpenter Complex, which is next to Bright House Field.  “I have no second thoughts about the wisdom of this investment,” council member John Doran said. “I do think it’s a good investment for the city of Clearwater.” Some of the money the city is doling out will be recouped. An agreement with…

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Fish Tales

City Honors Longtime Phillies Personnel Man

Paul "Pope" Owens worked for the Phillies for nearly a half-century, mostly as a scout and minor league personnel man. The fields at the Carpenter Complex will now be known as the Paul Owens Training Facility at the Carpenter Complex.

Stroll by the Carpenter Complex some day, the Phillies training facility just north of Bright House Field along Old Coachman Road, and you notice the Phillies training or playing on four adjacent fields named after some of the greatest Phillies in team history. There's Richie Ashburn Field, Steve Carlton Field, Robin Roberts Field and Mike Schmidt Field. Now those ballfields will be part of the Paul Owens Training Facility. The city decided to erect a bust and name the training fields for Owens, who may have been just as important to the franchise as Ashburn, Carlton, Roberts and Schmidt were, but of course Owens is far less known. For decades, Owens was a fixture with the Phillies in Clearwater. It was grunt work. Only those who truly …

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Fish Tales

Bright House Field: Home to the Phillies, Threshers... and Cheesesteaks

A chance encounter with a Phillies executive some 12 years ago led to Cindi Bowers' cheesesteaks becoming a local legend and a wildly popular fixture at both Phillies and Threshers games.

Of course Bright House Field screams "Phillies." The Philadelphia Phillies. It is, after all, the Phillies' spring training roost and the home to the Phillies Class A Florida State League affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers. Throughout the park are reminders that the stadium is a Phillies place, even banners in right field boasting the 2008 World Series title over the Tampa Bay Rays. But behind home plate is a magnet for both Phillies patrons and anyone with a hunger pang. The cheesesteaks. During spring training games, visiting media members often hurriedly run downstairs from the right field press box despite the fact they have access to a media-only dining room. "Got to get a cheesesteak," they often say. The cheesesteaks are the …

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Fish Tales

Long-time Threshers Employee Loves His Job

Charlie Koss has been with the Threshers nearly as long as Bright House Field has been open. He boasts it's the best job he's had in his life.

If fans have gone to Bright House Field more than a few times over the years, it's very possible they would recognize Charlie Koss. An unassuming fellow, Koss, a retiree, has been an employee of the Clearwater Threshers for six of the eight years Bright House Field has been open. The veteran of the Vietnam War has done a variety of jobs at the stadium from usher to parking attendant to handyman and maintenance worker. "I had to retire to find a job I like," Koss joked. Koss works both the Phillies spring training games and all home games for the Threshers and though Father Time is creeping up on him too fast for his liking, the number of games he works in a six-month period doesn't wear him out. "Shoot no," Koss said. "This keeps me out of…

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