When I clicked on the link to start watching today’s spring training game between the Phillies and Yankees, it brought back memories of 2008.
The date was March 30th, 2008. Coca Cola Park opened its doors for the very first game to be played on the new diamond. Fans packed the concourse waiting to get in. Looking at online auctions, some fans paid as much as $200 for a single ticket to this game. I had seats in section 103, 3rd row. It was cold. It was really cold and windy. The Phillies fresh from Florida were all bundled up hiding in the outfield, shy to autograph requests that would require them to remove their gloves.
What I remember from that day:
– Geoff Jenkins dropping a ball into the centerfield mulch area.
– The elderly woman wearing pajamas two seats away who complained the whole 3 innings she stayed.
– How distant the Phillies team was towards the fans
Yes, those great Phillies of 2008. The World ^%$# ‘in Champions! Three players signed autographs that day. Cole Hamels (Who was he before 2008?), then reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins and Chris Coste. The rest stayed well into the outfield and avoided eye contact at all costs. You may think I sound bitter about this experience and you would be right. The game was fun, the fans were ready and the teams were not.
Predictably, the stars played the first few innings and then the Reading Phillies (in Phillies uniforms) took over for the remainer of the game. Understand you don’t want the stars to get hurt but its a rare season ending injury incurred by a sharpie.
Anyway, my point is that exhibition games should be about fun. In 2008 and 2009 the Ironpigs traveled to Reading to play the R-Phils to benefit Baseballtown Charities. The game was light hearted and fun. When an Ironpig home run lifted out of the park, at the players next at bat it was shown on the scoreboard as “Wind assisted HR”. It was a great time and could have become a nice friendly rivalry between cities and fans. Sadly, it will not become a tradition as the game will not be played this year. Who really loses here? The fans, the players or the charity. I think we all do.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
The R-Phils and IronPigs should definitely end the exhibition every season with a game alternately at each place.
What a great tradition.
Of course, the Philadelphia Phillies will never institute that.
I really don’t think the parent club has anything to do with the two teams wanting to play an exhibition game.
Maybe it was just too tough logistically to get the game in. Also, how many paying customers came to the game? I bet it couldn’t have been more than 1,000 – 1,500 as it was a brutally cold night. Maybe they figured the $5,000 – $7,000 they took in from the game wasn’t worth the operating costs and general hassle.
Phillies had exhibition with Yankees yesterday.
Did IronPigs play Scranton in Florida yesterday?
Do you know where could I find the IronPigs exhibition schedule?
As far as I know, the minor league players just reported to spring training. (Those not invited to the big team camp) I looked around the web and found this, http://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/philadelphia-phillies-5.htm, which shows that the Phillies minor league schedule has not been released. If I find anything I will post.
Matt,
You raise valid points with respect to financial matters.
However, it is quite possible that an annual exhibition game revolving around tradition and friendly rivalry could grow and become more popular.
I would rather pay to see the IronPigs and R-Phils as compared to IronPigs and Philadelphia Phillies.
But, perhaps I am alone with that…
Unimpressed –
I’m with you, I’d love to see the game played this year. I’d go provided it wasn’t 40 degrees out there. It’s a good chance to see what both clubs will put on the field.
Matt,
Yes, the weather is a factor, to be sure.
An always unpredictable factor, as well.
I must admit, I skipped the historic IronPigs – Phillies game at Coca-Cola Park and watched at home on TV instead.
It was real cold that day.
That was also the last time I ever saw Harry Kalas broadcast a game live.
I went to all four games for the opener last year – that was cold, too!
I personally believe, though, that IronPigs and R-Phils fans could get into it – a friendly, in-house rivalry.
Kind of like the Intra-Squad games (i.e., Blue-White) that all major college football programs stage.
I have talked to many R-Phils people at Coca-Cola Park since the stadium opened; in my opinion, for what it is worth, I feel there is some sort of kinship between the R-Phils and IronPigs fans.
Jeff Schuler posted a Phillies minor league spring training schedule in his blog a little while back. These games should include most of the players ticketed for AA and AAA. This is what he listed:
Monday, March 15 — Blue Jays at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 16 — Phillies at Blue Jays, 1 p.m. (Dunedin)
Wednesday, March 17 — Pirates at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 18 — Blue Jays at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Friday, March 19 — No game
Saturday, March 20 — Blue Jays at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 21 — Phillies at Blue Jays, 1 p.m. (Dunedin)
Monday, March 22 — Pirates at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23 — Phillies at Pirates, 1 p.m. (Bradenton)
Wednesday, March 24 — Yankees at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 25 — Phillies at Yankees, 1 p.m. (Tampa)
Friday, March 26 — Blue Jays at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 — Phillies at Blue Jays, 10 a.m.
Sunday, March 28 — No Game
Monday, March 29 — Yankees at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 30 — Phillies at Yankees, 1 p.m. (Tampa)
Wednesday, March 31 — No game.
Thursday, April 1 — Phillies at Blue Jays, 1 p.m. (Dunedin)
Friday, April 2 — Phillies at Pirates, 1 p.m. (Bradenton)
Saturday, April 3 — Pirates at Phillies, 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 — Break camp.
Thanks!
Is there a site where we can monitor the box scores of these games? Will they be on the Phillies site somewhere or MLB or milb?
thx!
You can try this website:
http://www.springtrainingonline.com/
I haven’t found anything solid yet.
From previous experiences:
R-Phils will post line-scores and a few stats from AA exhibition games at the team’s official website.
IronPigs official website will (sometimes) write and article with selected statisitics for AAA exhibition games
No line-ups, no proper boxscores
Perhaps things have changed for this season..