Opening Day could be a long one in Philly

FROM KEITH GROLLER

I am supposed to join Phillies beat writer Mandy Housenick at Opening Day today at Citizens Bank Park.

I have a feeling that with the miserable weather expected, it's going to be a long one.

I would hope that they wouldn't wait too long to call this one, but with my luck, they will.

No one needs to wait two or three hours in cold, rainy weather to play this game, not when there's an open date for both teams available on Monday.

We'll see how it all plays out. I know Opening Day may be the most special day of the season, but this one might be best viewed from your living room and by tuning into phl 17.

Here's the schedule of events from the Phillies PR department. If anything on this schedule goes off as planned, I will be shocked:

Broadcast: phl 17, ESPN, WPHT 1210 AM, and WUBA 1480 AM (Spanish). Opening Day ceremonies will stream live on www.phillies.com.

7:00 a.m. Majestic Clubhouse Store opens. Hot off the press: New Phillies magazine featuring the Phillies starting rotation on the front cover.

10:35 a.m. All gates open. All fans will receive a 2’x3’ replica of the 2010 National League East Champions Pennant (that will fly above Ashburn Alley all season), compliments of Modell’s Sporting Goods.

Opening Day Block Party, Citizens Bank Way: Plenty of music featuring Philly Funk Authority, as well as food and fun!

Phillies batting practice.

11:34 a.m. Astros batting practice.

12:32 p.m. Fans urged to be in their seats for Lead-off Walk Into the Ballpark: The Cardinal O’Hara High School Marching Band will lead the 2011 Phillies into the ballpark via a 10th Street entrance.

12:39 p.m. America the Beautiful will be sung by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale, as members of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard unfurl a large American flag. State flags will be carried onto the field by Philadelphia Police and Fire Department personnel.

12:42 p.m. Introductions … Astros

12:46 p.m. Introductions … Phillies

12:52 p.m. Moment of Silence: In memory of those who lost their lives from the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Moment of Silence: In memory of Phillies Owners Whip and Jim Buck, who passed away last October and March, respectively.

12:53 p.m. National Anthem: Will be sung by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale.

An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft will perform the Air Force’s first flyover using “green” biofuel. The aircraft will be among four jets taking part; all are from the 335th Fighter Squadron - Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC.

12:56 p.m. The Leap Frogs, the U.S. Navy parachute team, will parachute onto the field, bringing the first ball.

1:03 p.m. Ceremonial First Pitch: Will be thrown by Jim Gabel, President, Reebok North America representing Modell’s Sporting Goods.

1:09 p.m. Play Ball!

7th Inning God Bless America, performed by Lauren Hart…Pilots from flyover will dance with the Phanatic on the dugout.

*All of the above events are subject to change, weather and wind permitting


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