Ballpark partying all afternoon
The party atmosphere for Opening Day begins around noon at Citizen Bank Park, even though Brett Myers won't throw the first pitch till shortly after 3.
The party atmosphere for Opening Day begins around noon at Citizen Bank Park, even though Brett Myers won't throw the first pitch till shortly after 3.
And even without a ticket, fans can get in on some of the fun, when a "block party" with food and music begins outside the stadium around noon.
Performing will be Mr. Greengenes, the band that led a City Hall rally at City Hall after the Phillies clinched the National League East last year.
Fans who can't make it to the park can watch the action on CBS3, or listen on WPHT (1210 AM), WIP (610 AM), or WDAS (1480 AM, Spanish).
Online, fans will find a running scoreboard on Philly.com's home page (www.philly.com), and live commentary on two blogs, the Phillies Zone (http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies_zone) and High Cheese (http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies).
Web TV and audiocasts are available for a premium through MLB.com.
At 12:05, the gates will open for fans with tickets, and as folks enter, they'll get souvenir pennants marking last season's division title.
Once inside, people will see, already hanging, a large banner commemorating that crown.
Phillies batting practice lasts for an hour, starting at 12:20.
At 1 p.m., Larry Mendte, Kathy Orr, Ukee Washington and other TV news personalities from CBS3 and CW Philly 57 will greet fans at the third-base gate.
The Washington Nationals take batting and infield practice from 1:20 to 2:10 p.m.
Around 2:30, Phillies players will parade into the park to the playing of the Fralinger String Band, who won another title of their own in this year's Mummers Parade.
"America the Beautiful" will be performed by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Mens' Chorale, as National Guard members unfurl the U.S. flag.
The National Anthem will be performed by Patti LaBelle's Boom Boom Choir (but not Philly songstress herself).
The U.S. Army Golden Knights will parachute onto the field, carrying the first ball - weather permitting.
Mayor Nutter will throw out the first pitch.
Are we leaving anything out?
Oh, there's also the game itself.
Oh, and during the seventh-inning stretch, 6-year-old trumpet prodigy Geoffrey Gallante will play "God Bless America."
