Diamond Outfitters Holiday Sale

Just got this in my email. Not part of the email club? Join now at the Official Site.

Be sure to visit the Diamond Outfitters Holiday Sale at Bright House Networks Field for amazing deals on Threshers and Phillies merchandise plus other great gift ideas.

Here are some of the great offers:

* Buy 1 get 1 FREE on Fitted Hats

* 60% off all adjustable twin hats

* 60% off women and children’s merchandise

* 60% off men’s polos

* 50% off fleece blankets

* $1 Stocking Stuffers

* $1 picture frames

Diamond Outfitters is open Monday to Thursday from 10 am- 3 pm. Hurry out because the store closes for the holidays on December 21.

Several Former Threshers Invited to 2007 Phillies Spring Training

The Phillies announced that they have invited 19 non-roster players to Spring Training.

Several former Threshers are on the list:

P Joe Bisenius

OF Greg Golson

C Tim Gradoville

P J.A. Happ

Some other notable names on the list are Andrew Beattie, Kane Davis, Kyle Drabek, Jason Jaramillo, Lou Marson, and Randall Simon.

For the rest of the list and more information about each of the players please visit Phillies.com.

Former Thresher Alfredo Simon selected in 2006 Rule 5 Draft

The 2006 Rule 5 Draft has been completed.

It doesn't appear that it will have much of an effect on the Clearwater Threshers at present. However, former Thresher Alfredo Simon was selected with the 5th pick by the Baltimore Orioles. Simon spent most of the 2004 season with the Threshers before he was traded by the Phillies to the San Francisco Giants organization.

Simon struck out 107 batters in 134.2 innings and had a 3.27 ERA in 22 games for the Threshers.

MLB.com has a .pdf of all the 2006 Rule 5 draft picks that can be found here.

UPDATE 12/8/06 at 10:00am: Simon has been traded back from the Orioles to the Phillies.

Former Clearwater catcher Mike Lieberthal agrees to one-year deal with Dodgers

The Dodgers have signed Mike Lieberthal to a one-year deal.

Lieberthal had spent his entire career with the Phillies organization including a 16-game stint in 1991 with the playoff-bound Clearwater team. Lee Elia was his manager at the time.

Former Thresher Joe Bisenius may end up in Philly's bullpen in '07

Ken Mandel of MLB.com has a story up that talks about the Winter Meetings, the Rule 5 Draft, and Joe Bisenius.

"He's throws hard, touching 97," said Steve Noworyta, director of Minor Leagues. "Any time you have a guy throwing that kind of number, you have to give him a look."

Noworyta said Bisenius is generally in the 92-94 mph range, but brought the gas on a night when he was being watched. Bisenius is looked at as a long shot to make the bullpen, but Noworyta said he might be factor at some point in 2007.

Eventually, he might be a closer.

"Possibly," he said. "He's got the makeup. When he crosses the line, he turns into a different person. His fastball is dominant."

Check out the whole story here

Former Clearwater Top Pitching Prospect Gavin Floyd traded to White Sox

The Phillies and the White Sox completed a trade yesterday at the Winter Meetings at Lake Buena Vista which sends former Clearwater star Gavin Floyd (and a player to be named later who apparently is Double-A pitcher Gio Gonzalez) to the White Sox for Freddy Garcia.

Floyd was with the Clearwater team in 2003. He struck out 115 batters in 138 innings and had a 3.00 ERA in 24 games.

Here are some links from around the country about the trade:

MLB.com

Chicago Sun-Times

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark

Philly.com

Check out this blog from a new friend in Ottawa

Carl Kiiffner runs a blog covering the Ottawa Lynx. As some of you may recall, the Lynx will be the Triple-A affiliate for the Phillies for the '07 season as they wait for the stadium to be built for the Iron Pigs in the Lehigh Valley. I'd imagine we'll probably see some former Threshers wearing Lynx jerseys at some point this year.

Phillies sign Adam Eaton

The Phillies just announced the signing of Adam Eaton, a right-handed pitcher who last pitched for the Texas Rangers.

Eaton is a familiar name to the Phillies as he was their first round draft pick (11th overall) in the 1996 draft. He spent the 1998 season as well as part of the 1999 season here in Clearwater.

Know Someone Who Wants To Work In Baseball? (# 2)

Carrie requested that I add Retail Store Associate to the PT Job Opening list today so I edited my original story to now say:

KNOW SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO WORK IN BASEBALL?
We're now accepting resumes and applications for Ticket Office Representatives and Retail Store Associates for the upcoming Phillies Spring Training and Clearwater Threshers seasons.

Click here for more information about the Ticket Office Representative opening(s).

Most Spring Training Season Ticket Invoices Mailed Out

If you're a Phillies Spring Training Season Ticket Holder you are going to want to check your mail over the next few days. Most of our invoices (plus additional information) were mailed out of the office this morning.

I'm not sure yet when the same process will start for the upcoming Threshers season so check back for updates.

2007 Clearwater Threshers coaching staff has been announced

The Phillies have just released the new coaching arrangements for the 2007 Minor League Season. These are some new faces for us in Clearwater, but most of them will look familiar to the fans of the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Making the jump from Lakewood to Clearwater are Dave Huppert (manager), Steve Schrenk (pitching coach), and Chris Mudd (trainer).

One new face to the Phillies organization will be joining us in Clearwater as well. He is Brad Komminsk (coach). He comes to Clearwater after several years managing and coaching throughout the Cleveland Indians organization.

Some familiar names that have moved around the organization include former manager Greg Legg (now with single-A Williamsport). Joining Legg in Williamsport is former Threshers' coach Ken Dominguez, who spent last season in Lakewood.

Former trainer Shawn Fcasni is now with triple-A Ottawa while Jason Kirkman has moved to double-A Reading. Ichiro Kitano goes to single-A Lakewood.

Updated at 12:54pm: Former coach Greg Gross is now with Reading.

Ryan Howard named 2006 NL MVP....

Congrats to Ryan Howard on winning the 2006 National League Most Valuable Player Award!

Ryan missed out playing for the Threshers by just one season. He spent 2003 with the Clearwater Phillies at Jack Russell Stadium. While with Clearwater, Ryan hit .304 with 23 HRs and 82 RBIs.

Ryan was also the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year.

Some events and other promotions have been posted

Some highlights (subject to change):

*Fireworks post-game EVERY Saturday Home Game Again in '07 (except 8/4)
*Thirsty Thursdays are BACK!
*Bark at the Ballpark I is scheduled for Sunday, April 15 with Bark at the Ballpark II scheduled for Saturday, August 4.
*Our first Bobble Head Giveaway of the Year will be on Friday, April 20.
*Bright House Networks Customer Appreciation Night with Fireworks on Friday, May 18.
*Wet-N-Wacky Days start on Sunday, July 8.
*Pitch for Pink returns on Friday, August 10.

Remember, the links for the 2007 schedule have not been updated yet on the site, so at this time, the easiest way to view the schedule would be to visit this link. Use the Month links above Saturday and Sunday to move throughout 2007 calendar.

Keep checking back, as more events and promotions will continue to be added.

Looking for something to do on Sunday?

Drop by the South Parking Lot at Bright House Networks Field on Sunday, November 12th and check out Mason Dixon's Best of the Best Car Show. The event benefits Mason Dixon's Christmas Wish Fund. The Show runs from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free, but parking will cost $5.

Want your vehicle to be in the show? Day of Show Registration begins at 9am. For more information about how to register your vehicle visit Mason Dixon Radio.

Lakeland Tigers to change name

Just saw this release, Lakeland Tigers to Unveil New Team Name on Veterans Day over on OurSports Central.

According to the release, they'll be using this new name starting in April 2007.

This comes as a surprise to me. How about you?

UPDATED 11/13/06 9:30am: They went with the 'Flying Tigers'. Check out some pictures from Saturday's unveiling including the new logo here. (Thanks to Garrett for the link)

UPDATED 11/13/06 12:15pm: Here is a story out of the Scout.com Network.

UPDATED 11/13/06 12:20pm: The local newspaper in Lakeland (The Ledger) has this story.

2007 Clearwater Threshers Schedule Posted

We've got the 2007 Clearwater Threshers schedule posted on the Official Site now.

The links for the 2007 schedule have not been updated yet on the site, so at this time, the easiest way to view the schedule would be to visit this link. Use the Month links above Saturday and Sunday to move throughout 2007 calendar.

Promotions and other events will be filled in as they are scheduled so check back often.

Want to sing the national anthem at a Clearwater Threshers game?

The Clearwater Threshers are looking for national anthem singers for the 2007 season. Have your interested parties (individuals, bands, choirs, etc.) call 727-712-4300 for more information.

BOO BASH a rousing success!

Approximately 6,000 (11:48am) 5,400 people turned out on Halloween night at Bright House Networks Field to enjoy the Third Annual Boo Bash, smashing the previous attendance records for the event.

Were you among the 6,000 (11:48am) 5,400? If so, what did you think?

UPDATED at 11:22am: Pictures are starting to go up on the Photo Gallery at the Official Site. Check 'em out!

Over 400 people went through our semi-scary Haunted House. I went through it. Did you?

2007 Threshers Schedule Approved

The 2007 Clearwater Threshers schedule has been approved. The next step is to get it ready to put on the calendar over on the Official Site and the ticketing software. A group of folks are meeting later in the week to set up the different promotions that will take place during the 2007 season. If you have any ideas, go ahead and post a comment and I'll take them to the meeting.

I expect to see 2007 ticket prices and Season Ticket Benefits firmed up shortly which will allow us to start rolling over Season Ticketholders from 2006 in to 2007 and be able to add all the new folks who have requested Season Tickets for 2007 Clearwater Threshers.

At the same time, we are doing the same thing (minus the online calendar) for 2007 Phillies Spring Training. I did find out today that Phillies Spring Training Season Tickets will be the same price as last year (and the year before).

While we can't pick out and purchase your season tickets today, you can join the list. Call 727-467-4457 to get on the list now!

ONE week until BOO BASH!

From the official site of the Clearwater Threshers:

The Clearwater Threshers and the City of Clearwater have announced that the third annual Boo Bash Halloween carnival will be held at Bright House Networks Field on Tuesday, October 31st. The event will begin at 5:30 PM and run until approximately 8:30 PM.

Boo Bash is FREE to the public, so bring your family out to experience an exciting evening in the ballpark.

The event will consist of more than 30 candy stations throughout the ballpark where kids can enjoy a night of Trick 'r Treating in a SAFE environment. Included in the festivities are several carnival games for the kids, hayrides around the field, a moonwalk, and a semi-scary Haunted House. Kids will also get the chance to join our Costume Parade and show off their creative outfits.

For more information, please call 727-712-4300.