Expectations were understandably high for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012. After all, when you have a lineup that includes Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz along with a rotation anchored by Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, late October baseball is anticipated. Instead, Howard, Utley and Ruiz were interrupted by injuries, and the Phillies became sellers – dealing outfielders Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino, and starting pitcher Joe Blanton.
Though Washington and Atlanta look better than the Phillies on paper, manager Charlie Manuel‘s club expects a healthy Halladay, Lee and Hamels; and a lineup that includes a revitalized Howard, Utley and Ruiz along with acquisitions Ben Revere, Delmon Young and third baseman Michael Young. Veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins returns as well.
Keeping all of the aforementioned names off the disabled list will be essential for the Phillies to contend with the Nationals and Braves. Philadelphia hopes the long time top prospect Domonic Brown, who is still just 25, is ready to claim the starting left field job. If not, perhaps Darin Ruf will emerge. If Rollins or Utley spend time on the DL, 22-year-old Freddy Galvis can step in.
For the first time in several seasons, Philadelphia will not be favored to capture the National League East title. With good reason, many baseball writers will place the Phillies as the third-best team in their division. Yet baseball is not one on paper, and Manuel’s team has veteran leadership and a trio of frontline starters who are capable of shutting down formidable lineups. Don’t count the Phillies out just yet.
About Bright House Field
Since 1948, the Philadelphia Phillies have called Clearwater, Fla. their spring training home. For decades, historic Jack Russell Stadium was their spring training ballpark. In 2004, they moved to Bright House Field.
Adjacent to Carpenter Field – which was built in 1967 and is used in spring training by the Phillies’ major league and Minor League players, along with teams in the Florida State League, Gulf Coast Rookie League and the Florida Instructional League – Bright House Field is one of the most pristine stadiums in the Grapefruit League.
Beyond the left field fence, a thatch-roofed tiki bar allows fans to sit on a stool, drink a cold one and watch the game. The bar was built to create the same atmosphere found at Raymond James Stadium’s “Pirate Ship” at Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ games.
Designed with a classic Floridian architectural style, Bright House Field also features 7,300 fixed seats with grass berm seating for an additional 1,500, a kids play area and a sprawling team store stocked with Phillies gear.
About Clearwater
Clearwater is defined by its white sand, tranquil Gulf breezes, and crystal clear waters. As a top, year round location for both leisure and business, Clearwater boasts an endless supply of sun, warm weather and great dining, along with extensive outdoor activities both on land and at sea.
The pedestrian friendly Beach Walk is a beautiful promenade winding along the white sands of Clearwater Beach. It is perfect for a short run, bike ride and hike, or even for a leisurely sunset stroll to take in the beauty of the surrounding beachside paradise. Linking the beach with the dozens of restaurants, bars, shops, hotels and motels lining the main road, Beach Walk is an ideal place to spend some time exploring Clearwater Beach. Paying homage to the plethora of turtles who flock to the beach for mating and breeding each year, every shower is topped by a cheerful turtle statue.
Clearwater is also home to miles of biking and hiking trails along with beach volleyball courts, water sports, tennis, baseball and other sporting facilities. Clearwater Harbor Marina provides outstanding boating access to the emerging downtown and Coachman Park, just across the marina from the beautiful island of Clearwater Beach.
Overall, the Clearwater/St. Petersburg region consists of 35 miles of Gulf of Mexico beaches that include the resort communities of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Clearater and Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Tarpon Springs. The area’s public parks and nature trails are a showcase for Florida’s natural beauty. Ideal parks for nature study, fishing, swimming and picnics are Fort De Soto Park, south of St. Petersburg, plus Honeymoon and Caladesi Island state parks near Dunedin. All three are undeveloped barrier islands. Fort De Soto and Honeymoon Island are connected to the mainland by causeways. Caladesi Island is accessible only by a ferry service operating from Honeymoon Island and downtown Clearwater.
The Pinellas Trail is a 37-mile linear park perfect for bicyclists, walkers, joggers and skaters. Reinforcing the beauty of area beaches “Dr. Beach,” Florida International University professor Dr. Stephen Leatherman, rates three area beaches among the nation’s finest. Fort DeSoto Park was named America’s Best Beach 2005 and Caladesi Island is ranked as having the #2 beach in the United States in his 2006 listing. Clearwater Beach rated as the #1 City Beach in the Gulf Region.
Florida’s famous man-made attractions are nearby. Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay is less than a 35- minute drive away from any point on Florida’s Beach. The Walt Disney World Resort, Sea World and Universal Studios Florida are only 90 minutes away.
On 1-11-11, downtown St. Petersburg welcomed its newest cultural icon when it opened the doors to a new Dalí Museum (pictured). The 66,450 square foot facility was designed by world-renowned architect, Yann Weymouth, who assisted with the renovation of the Louvre in Paris. The new Dalí more than doubled the size of the previous museum, adding 50 percent more gallery space, both for visiting exhibitions and for the permanent Dalí collection, which is comprised of more than 2,100 pieces, including 96 oil paintings. The Chihuly Collection—the world’s only permanent space solely dedicated to the works of legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly—and the Museum of Fine Arts also reside in downtown St. Pete. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, AmericanStyle magazine placed St. Petersburg at the top of its list of 25 Arts Destinations for midsize cities.
For more information about the Clearwater/St.Petersburg region, visit here.
Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training Information
Phillies Top 10 Prospects For 2013
First Practice Dates
February 13 – Pitchers and Catchers
February 16 – Position Players
Bright House Field
601 Old Coachman Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-441-9941 Executive Offices
727-467-4457 Ticket Office
For ticket information and to see a Phillies spring training schedule, visit here.
