How to Successfully Watch a Phillies Game

This may seem like a "how to" no-brainer, but in the next few paragraphs I will be explaining how to succesffuly watch a Phillies game. Pay close attention. This first step is the most important (Disclaimer: Not following through on the first step will result in the not completing of the remaining steps.) You've been warned. 

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1. WATCH IT LIVE! Watching the Phils on tv, or listening to Franzke and LA on the radio are great but nothing beats the real thing. Baseball is a sport that you can view live for not a whole lotta change. No matter what the cost, there is nothing like a live baseball game! The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the 7th inning stretch. It is all just beautiful!! Plus there is no park in the world like Citizens Bank Park!


2. Wear something Phillies! You are going to a baseball game not a business luncheon! A jersey isn't a must but it's pretty darn close. A player tee, red hair, a hat, something, anything Phillies! Nothing drives me crazier than seeing fans at the game with nothing Phillies on. Are you just trying to get singled out as an opposing fan or do you just have no team pride at all? For me it's the Chooch jersey, the alternate home fitted, the knee high liberty bell socks, and the red chucks. But hey we can't all pull that off:)  I admire the phans who go all out; Howard's Homers, the dude with the liberty bell on the bill of his hat, the kids who dress up as mini-Phanatics, the face paint, the red hair!

Besides the proper attire it doesn't hurt to bring along some cracker jacks and peanuts. And making a WaWa pit stop on the way to the park is superstitiously a must. 

3. Heckle the left-fielder: With a partial season plan my brother and I get to enjoy every Sunday home game in left center about 20 rows back. It is a beautiful spot to watch a ballgame. A general rule for any Philadelphia sports phan: If you are close enough to the field to yell so that an opposing player might hear you, well you best start yellin! Heckling an opposing player does not have to be vulgar and offensive (although most times it may be.) I can bet that most opposing players enjoy the banter they receive rom the Philly phaitfhul. It wouldn't be a road game without hearing it from the home crowd! And it wouldn't be Philly without hearing some boo's! 

4. DO NOT DO THE WAVE! Not under any circumstances is it cool or fun to do the wave! I'm trying to watch a baseball game, what are you doing?! And have you noticed that everytime the wave starts going something bad happens on the field! If we are going to try to do anything as a group, let's get some chants or songs going like they do at soccer matches. 

5. Enjoy the ballpark food: Citizens Bank Park has won awards for their array of delicacies avalaible to the phans. Chickie's and Pete's Crab Fies, Tony Luke's, McNally's famous Schmitter (quite possibly the greatest sandwhich ever!) Bull's BBQ, Harry the K's, Campo's, McFadden's, just to name a few. 

6. Sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame: A classic baseball song, it wouldn't be a game without the 7th inning stretch and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame at the top of your lungs. And don't forget the 1,2,3 strikes you're out! You are never too old to enjoy singing this one. 

7. High Phive the Phillie Phanatic: The greatest mascot in all of sports is always a hot attraction for any Phillies game! From his pre-game trash talking with the opposing plalyers, to his popcorn eating antics in the stands. The Phanatic is a part of Phillies baseball. In the 7th inning around section 117 you can catch the Phanatic running out of the elevator headed for his perch on top of the Phillies dugout. If timed just right you will be in line for one incredible high phive, or a hug! The Phanatic always causes mass hysteria wherever he goes, even resulting in grown men pushing kids to the side just to touch the big, green, furry mascot. It is not a Phillies game without him!

8. Sing High Hopes:  The last, but most important! The late, great Harry Kalas is forever etched in Phillies history. As an ode to HK after every Phillies win we get to see and hear Harry singing "High Hopes" up on the big screen. Singing this song means that the Phillies have won! Thus completing a very succesful day at the ballpark. It is a tradition that I look forward to after every victory. It is fun to see the crowd stick around to take part in singing the song along with Harry. "We've got hiiiiigh hopes, we've got high apple pie in the skyyyy hopes!"

So there ya have it. An easy to follow "How-To" on How to Successfully Watch a Phillies Game. From one diehard Phillies phan to another I hope this tutorial has helped you. 34 days until pitchers and catchers report in Clearwater! Oh how sweet it is!


Steve Glick-BLN

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