Hitters Take BP

While Day 4 for pitchers and catchers followed the same schedule as the three previous days, a handful of position players took batting practice at Bright House Field.  More fans were there than at the complex.

Media mass also anchored itself at Bright House Field.  One of the hitters was Ryan Howard who is having a media conference in the afternoon.  His health will certainly be a hot topic in camp.

Tomorrow, all infielders and outfielders will undergo their physicals.  The first full workout will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at Carpenter Complex.  Well, it will be sometime after 10 because of front office introductions and Charlie’s annual speech.  He jots notes on a yellow pad but generally gets away from the written notes and shoots from the hip.

Elsewhere
The MLB Network is in camp today for interviews.  As part of their 30 camps in 30 days schedule, they will return later for a full day . . . ESPN’s spring training bus tour will also make a Clearwater stop later . . . Ruben held a conference call with the Phillies pro scouts who are scattered across Florida and Arizona camps.  The call is held every Wednesday morning, except for off-season holidays . . . Papelbon is a cover photo subject for Sports Illustrated for Kids and South Jersey Magazine . . . Michael Barkann is doing double duty this week, his 94 WIP radio show from 10-11 every morning and then anchoring Daily News Live on Comcast SportsNet every afternoon at 5.

Spring Training Memories
Brian Schneider: “My first camp was 1996 with the Expos minor leaguers in Jupiter, FL.  I don’t remember my uniform number but my roommate was Michael Barrett.  We dressed in the Lantana High School football locker room.  It was very intimating because there was a sea of people in this small room with small lockers.

Alumni spring training memories can be found in www.phillies.com/alumni,