The Phillies again had a local little league team take the field for the National Anthem and stand beside Phillies players who play the same positions as the Little Leaguers. Each Little League player also takes a baseball and pen out with them to the field and the players autograph the ball for them after the National Anthem. They have had other Little League players at several other games this year under their Baseball Buddies program. It is a nice touch and a big thrill for the kids.
Today was also Baseball Beer Bucket Day (my description) at the park. The first 2,000 fans each received a handsome plastic beer bucket with attractive pictures of a baseball and associated themes around the sides of the bucket. The bucket, I believe, is designed to hold a six-pack of beer (or soda) surrounded by ice to keep it cold. They probably also could be used as helmets for protection against foul balls, but I didn't see anyone doing that. They hand these out every year and we now have at least 6 of them we can use when the appropriate occasion arises. You never know and it is good to be prepared.
The game today was the last chance for some of the non-roster players to make the 2017 season opening day team. The team must reduce their active rosters to 25 players before the season starts and the Phillies are planning to do so tomorrow. There are three more home games left - Tuesday night, Thursday and Friday. Saturday, when we leave, will be here before we know it so it will be a busy week between baseball and trip preparations.
After the game we headed over to Safety Harbor. The plan was to have dinner at a pizza place where we have eaten in the past. Alas, it was closed today. We then decided to check out the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa along the waterfront. This is a large up-scale hotel and spa featuring natural hot springs that apparently were discovered in 1539 by Hernando de Soto. Over the years they became a destination for "taking the waters" and Saftey Harbor became known as "The Health Giving City". The current resort and spa has been operating since 1945 and is still a major area destination.
We had a drink in the bar, walked around the resort and were impressed by the class and attractiveness of the operation. I'm sure that rooms are expensive there, but if cost were not an issue it would be great place to stay.
Plan B for pizza tonight was take out from the Westshore Pizza restaurant just down the road from the RV park.
Since there is no baseball tomorrow we will sleep in and take the day from there.
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