Bobblehead swap

Just got word of a change in the promotional calendar. The Chase Utley and Cole Hamels bobblehead giveaways have swapped dates. The Hamels bobblehead will now be given away on May 11, while the Utley bobblehead moves to July 27.

Clay Harris named Phillies Minor League Player of the Week

Just received word that Clay Harris has been named Phillies Minor League Player of the Week.

This is the first time this year one of our position players has been honored with this award, and the first week this year that one of our pitchers was not honored. In a bit of an ironic twist, Harris did pitch for a year while in college at LSU.

Look for a story on the Official Site soon.

It's time for a Feeding Frenzy!

Tonight kicks off our Feeding Frenzy Monday promotion for the 2007 Clearwater Threshers season. All tickets are just $10 and include an All-You-Can-Eat Menu from 6:00-9:00pm.

Remember, if you are a season ticket holder, you are included in the Frenzy at no extra charge! Remember to stop by a wristband table or the Customer service/Advance ticket window to pick up your wristband.

The unused season ticket exchange program is not available on Mondays due the Frenzy.

Tonight's menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, Westshore Pizza, and much more.

Tonight's special guest restaurant appears to be Buffalo Wild Wings.

Spread the word and enjoy Feeding Frenzy Monday all summer long.

Updated at 4:40pm: Lineups have been posted.

For the Ft. Myers Miracle:

1. # 7 Juan Portes (2B)
2. # 8 Steve Tolleson (SS)
3. # 15 Jeff Cirillo (3B)
4. # 32 Erik Lis (LF)
5. # 11 Whit Robbins (DH)
6. # 21 Eli Tintor (CF)
7. # 9 Edward Ovalle (RF)
8. # 16 Caleb Moore (C)
9. # 10 Matt Betsill (1B)

Starting on the mound is # 31 Alexander Smit

For the Clearwater Threshers:

1. # 3 Victor Hall (RF)
2. # 2 Greg Golson (CF)
3. # 10 Michael Spidale (LF)
4. # 21 Jeremy Slayden (DH)
5. # 25 Clay Harris (1B)
6. # 27 Welinson Baez (3B)
7. # 12 Brad Harman (2B)
8. # 6 Lou Marson (C)
9. # 13 Fidel Hernandez (SS)

Starting on the mound is # 16 Dan Brauer

Three Game Series against Ft. Myers starts at 1:00pm

The Ft. Myers Miracle are on their way into town for a three game series. Today's game is a Bright House Networks Family Day which includes a 4-pack for $25 or a 2-pack for just $15. The 4-pack includes 4 Premium Box Seats, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, 4 bags of Cracker Jack, and 2 programs. It's a great value, as 4 Premium Box tickets themselves usually cost $24 on their own. The Bright House Networks Family Day offer available for in-person Window Sales Only

Gates open at Noon today with the game scheduled to start at 1:00pm.

Updated at 11:40am: The Miracle are warming up on the field now.

Mike Alstott Celebrity Softball Challenge is tonight!

Just got a peek at what may be the final roster for tonight's Mike Alstott Celebrity Softball Challenge that benefits the Children's Cancer Center.

Mike Alstott's team (Red) includes Wade Boggs, Darren Daulton, Ron Diaz, and Michael Pittman, as well as several others.

Warren Sapp's team (Black) includes Ronde Barber, Von Hayes, Shelton Quarles, and Winky Wright, as well as several others.

Look for some brand new Threshers commercials soon

Plan B was here yesterday shooting commercials for the current Threshers season. They are editing today and you should start seeing them on your TV (or on your computer) soon.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any pictures of the filming, but hopefully someone did, and we can get them posted here.

Updated at 8:45pm: Plan B finished editing the commercials and dropped them off at the office tonight. Not sure when they are hitting the air, but they should be on YouTube soon. I've already got a favorite.

Looks like Ryan Budde won't be back in Clearwater anytime soon

Catcher Ryan Budde, who played for the Threshers on April 17 through the 19th on a Major League rehab assignment, was reinstated from the disabled list. The Phillies then put him on waivers, which he cleared, and he was offered back to the Angels. Budde had been taken by the Phillies in the 2006 Rule 5 draft.

Stats Update: Patrick Overholt

Per request, here is some information about Patrick Overholt's last couple outings for the Threshers.

Perhaps Patrick read the blog and wasn't happy seeing a story about a hot pitcher, and it being about an opponent. He pitched an eight-inning gem on Saturday night in what may have been the quickest nine-inning game that we've ever had at Bright House Networks Field. It was so quick, that I didn't even get the chance to eat dinner at the ballpark. Turned out well though, since my wife and I did have time to go out to dinner for a change. Had a great honey BBQ sirloin at Chili's on US19.

Sorry for the detour. Patrick gave up zero runs and six hits on Saturday. He struck out three and walked only one on his way to evening up his record at 2-2. Patrick's ERA is now a stellar 1.93 through four games.

Patrick struck out seven in the game at Tampa on Monday (4/16). He ended up picking up the loss despite only giving up one run in five and two-thirds innings.

Random Stat: Patrick's best inning so far this year is the fourth. So far, he's struck out three and only given up one hit.

Updated 2:45pm: Patrick has just been named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week (April 16-22). Check the Official Site later for the full story.

Updated 3:00pm: Phuture Phillies has a recent blog entry about Overholt that can be found here.

Former Thresher Hamels mows down 15 on Saturday

Former Threshers' pitcher Cole Hamels was all over the sports highlight shows on Saturday night and Sunday morning after striking out 15 Reds in a complete game for the Phillies. He threw 82 strikes in just 115 pitches.

Cole's record now stands at 2-0 and he dropped his ERA down to 2.57 through four games.

Threshers facing hot pitcher tonight

The Reds are on a six-game winning streak, and Sarasota is scheduled to start Carlos Fisher in tonight's ballgame. Fisher's record is 3-0, and he's only given up one run in his 19 innings of work this year. That's good for a 0.47 ERA. He's struck out 10 batters, and opposing teams are batting only .191 against him. Of the 13 hits Fisher has given up so far this year, 12 of them have come with no one on base.

First Bobblehead of the year Tonight

The Jimmy Rollins Bobblehead (sponsored by Old Harbor Bank) kicks off our 2007 Bobblehead Series tonight.

The rest of the series includes Chase Utley (sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times) on May 11, Ryan Howard (sponsored by Yuengling Brewery) on June 22, and Cole Hamels (sponsored by the Buena Vista Hotel) on July 27. Keep checking this site and the Official Site to make sure that the dates and promotions haven't changed.

Rollins, Utley, and Howard will be wearing their Clearwater Phillies uniforms for their bobbleheads, while Hamels will be in a Threshers jersey.

Been a busy morning so far...

This is the busiest the phone and window have been this early in the morning on the day of a game since Opening Day two weeks ago.

Guests have been purchasing the most tickets for the game Saturday night with post-game Fireworks. Also, interest has picked up for the Mike Alstott Softball Challenge that is ONE week away.

Tonight is yet another Thirsty Thursday which gives you 2 for 1 drinks all over the ballpark. It is also Silver Sharks Night where Seniors (55 and over) receive 2 for 1 Senior Field Box tickets. That's 2 tickets for only $4.

We've got a few groups in the ballpark tonight, including try # 2 for the PODS Championship Volunteers. The last attempt for that group was rained out.

Just a reminder, the Jimmy Rollins bobblehead is tomorrow (Friday 4/20) and we are also giving out mugs from LoJack.

Updated at 4:55pm: Lineups are in.

For Sarasota:

1. # 9 Mike Griffin (3B)
2. # 39 Jeff Keppinger (2B)
3. # 32 Jay Bruce (CF)
4. # 50 Jeremiah Piepkorn (1B)
5. # 22 Danny Dorn (LF)
6. # 23 Adam Rosales (DH)
7. # 27 Craig Tatum (C)
8. # 28 Eric Eymann (SS)
9. # 29 BJ Szymanski (RF)

Starting for the Reds is # 33 Richie Gardner

For Clearwater:

1. # 3 Victor Hall (RF)
2. # 2 Greg Golson (CF)
3. # 10 Michael Spidale (LF)
4. # 21 Jeremy Slayden (DH)
5. # 27 Welinson Baez (3B)
6. # 55 Ryan Budde (C)
7. # 12 Brad Harman (SS)
8. # 25 Clay Harris (1B)
9. # 15 Kevin Howard (2B)

Starting for the Threshers is # 16 Dan Brauer.

Updated at 5:15pm: Catcher Ryan Budde is on our roster on a Major League rehab assignment. He was selected by Angels in 12th round of the 2001 draft. This will be his third game here with the Threshers. He hit a double in yesterday's game at Tampa.

Updated at 5:45pm: Leftfielder Michael Spidale is batting third in the order for the fifth time this season. He's also seen time in the leadoff slot (six games) and also batted eighth in one game.

Updated at 6:00pm: Rightfielder Victor Hall is 7 for 13 (.538) with runners on base this season.

Updated at 6:30pm: Designated hitter Jeremy Slayden is 9 for 25 (.360) at home.

Updated at 9:30pm: Kevin Howard flys out to end the ballgame. Threshers lose 4-3.

Quite a game in Tampa last night

In case you missed it, the game over in Tampa lasted five hours and 14 minutes yesterday. Clearwater scored three runs in the top of the 20th inning to break the 1-1 tie. The Threshers and Yankees meet up again in about a half hour (11:30am) for a morning game. The game last night did not end until 12:15am and the Threshers team bus left the ballpark this morning at 9:30am.

Mike Spidale and Greg Golson both had 10 official at-bats in the game. Brad Harman scored the winning run from third after Golson was forced out at first.

The Threshers used seven pitchers in the game. Derek Griffith (2-0) ended up with the win, while Michael Zagurski picked up his first save of the year.

Updated at 11:35am: ATM: He said, She said has a post about the game last night. You can find it here. According to the post, this is the third time that the Clearwater team has played in a 20 inning game, and it was the longest game (hours, minutes) ever for a Clearwater team.

Citizens Bank Park won the 'Best Ballpark Eats' Award at the 'Food Network Awards'

Citizens Bank Park beat out Camden Yards (Baltimore), AT&T Park (San Francisco), and Safeco Field (Seattle).

How do you think Bright House Networks Field would stack up if they extended the choices to Minor League Baseball?

Three Random Stats

1. Only Greg Golson and Jeremy Slayden have appeared in all 10 games for Threshers this season.
   
   
2. Daniel Brauer and Andrew Carpenter have identical 0.82 ERAs. They have both pitched 11 innings and appeared in two games.



3. The Clearwater Threshers 6-4 record through 10 games in 2007 is identical to the 2006 season.

Updated at 4:30pm: Brauer has been named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week. Check the Official Site for the story.

New Threshers Season Ticket Holder Sharon Wootten trips back to Delmarva

The Daily Times in Salisbury, Maryland has a story about New Threshers Season Ticket Holder Sharon Wootten. Sharon recently moved down to the Tampa Bay area from Maryland where she was an avid fan of the Delmarva Shorebirds.

"It's just so much fun, it's the whole minor league atmosphere (that brings me back)," Wootten said. "I would rather go to a minor league game than a major league game and just look at these kids and know that we watched Brian Roberts grow up."

You can read the whole story here.

Quite a morning

My weather radio at home chirped four times overnight and when I left my house this morning it was a torrential downpour. My average speed on US19 was probably somewhere around 30-35 MPH. However, by the time I got down to Old Coachman Road, the worst had passed. Setup had begun for the Big Brothers / Big Sisters event that is taking place prior to the general Gate Opening at Noon.

Just got word that the tarp is coming off at 11:00am.

Updated at 11:15am: The tarp is off. It was put on last night right after the fireworks show.

Updated at 12:20pm: Today's lineups are up.

For Lakeland:

1. # 10 Will Rhymes (2B)
2. # 11 Cameron Maybin (CF)
3. # 24 Justin Justice (DH)
4. # 13 Michael Hernandez (RF)
5. # 17 Pedro Cotto (1B)
6. # 18 Wilkin Ramirez (LF)
7. # 7 Miguel Linares (3B)
8. # 4 Mark Haske (SS)
9. # 14 Adrian Casanova (C)

The starting pitcher is # 28 Sendy Vasquez

For Clearwater:

1. # 23 Matt Thayer (RF)
2. # 2 Greg Golson (CF)
3. # 10 Michael Spidale (LF)
4. # 21 Jeremy Slayden (DH)
5. # 27 Welinson Baez (3B)
6. # 9 John Urick (1B)
7. # 6 Lou Marson (C)
8. # 15 Kevin Howard (2B)
9. # 13 Fidel Hernandez (SS)

The starting pitcher is # 18 Andrew Carpenter

Big day/night at Bright House Networks Field

The fun starts early as Tech Data has their company picnic in the park from 1:00-5:00pm. Tech Data employees and their families will be enjoying great food and all kinds of different activities. The gates open at their regular Saturday time of 5:00pm for the rest of our guests who are attending tonight's Clearwater Threshers vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers game. The game is set for a 6:30pm start with a fantastic fireworks show post-game. We've got several groups in the park for tonight's game along with Tech Data. The largest will be from two area schools. Curtis and Coachman have a night at the ballpark every year, and nearly 1,000 usually attend with that group. We're expecting an even bigger number of them this year. There is also one church group coming out from First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. Other company outings include American Express Business Travel, Avaya, Linvatec, and Sensidyne. Last but definitely not least, there are five birthday parties scheduled for tonight.

Threshers Food and Beverage Manager Brad Dudash also is celebrating his birthday today.

Updated at 12:35pm: Pictures are starting to go up on the Photo Gallery at the Official Site from yesterday's 1/2 Way to Halloween Night.



The Merchandise Staff all dressed up for the event

It's 1/2 way to Halloween Night

1/2 way to Halloween Night is tonight. There are some folks already dressed up in the office, but we haven't yet had a guest come in costume to get their half-price ticket. There will be Trick-r-Treat Stations throughout the ballpark and a Costume Contest during the game.

Updated at 2:00pm: Through games of 4/12, the Phillies Minor League Organization is a combined 13-13. The Threshers are in second place in the organization at 4-3, while Ottawa (AAA) is holding down last place (1-4).

Updated at 4:15pm: Pictures are being taken of folks throughout the office who are dressed up. One special picture is already on the front page of the Official Site. Be sure to check it out.

Updated at 5:15pm: Tonight's lineups are in.

For the Flying Tigers:

1. # 24 Justin Justice (RF)
2. # 11 Cameron Maybin (CF)
3. # 18 Wilkin Ramirez (LF)
4. # 13 Michael Hernandez (DH)
5. # 55 Dusty Ryan (C)
6. # 8 Ronnie Rourquin (3B)
7. # 22 Ryan Roberson (1B)
8. # 10 Will Rhymes (2B)
9. # 4 Mark Haske (SS)

Pitching tonight for Lakeland is # 20 Luke French

For the Threshers

1. #10 Michael Spidale (LF)
2. # 2 Greg Golson (CF)
3. # 12 Brad Harman (2B)
4. # 21 Jeremy Slayden (RF)
5. # 25 Clay Harris (3B)
6. # 27 Welinson Baez (DH)
7. # 6 Lou Marson (C)
8. # 9 John Urick (1B)
9. # 13 Fidel Hernandez (SS)

Pitching tonight for Clearwater is Carlos Carrasco

Updated at 7:25pm: Lakeland flys to an early 3-0 lead (2nd inning).

Updated at 7:55pm: Lakeland leads 6-1 in the top of the fourth.

The Three Score Club is on the field right now

The Three Score Club is one of the groups that will be enjoying the Hot Corner Cafe at today's ballgame. The club visits every year and plays a few games on the field prior to a Threshers game.


I believe they are on Game # 2 for today. Looks like the Green Team leads the White Team 4-1 in the 1st inning.

I do apologize for the blurriness of the crowd shot on the left. I didn't have a whole lot of time to frame the pictures.

Here is a wider shot of the action.


Updated at 5:45pm: Just came back from trying to get the lineup for the Yankees. Apparently their bus isn't arriving until 6pm.