BLOG: An Inspiring Spring Training Trip
By: Lesley Van Arsdall
Finally the Phillies bats are swinging again with the start of Grapefruit league play.
As many of you know, I'm fresh off a visit from Phillies camp in Clearwater Florida. I have to say, for baseball fans it really doesn't get much better than Spring Training baseball.
There's the sunshine, 80 degree temperatures and the fans are able to see the team up close and at their relaxed best. Everyone seems to be in a good mood.
Manager Charlie Manuel stood around chatting with the fans and signing autographs for close to an hour the other day. But the fans that are willing to venture down to Clearwater before the season, even before Grapefruit league play begins, are the true fans and SHOULD be rewarded.
These aren't the people who casually come to a game and leave early just to avoid the traffic or because they think the games over already. These are the fans that stay to the bitter end. They have inspired me and their excitement for the upcoming season is contagious.
