Phillies’ Field Has Unique Feel

Posted Oct 26, 2008 by Keith Cate, News Channel 8

Updated Oct 26, 2008 at 09:47 PM

The dome over Tropicana Field is nice when it rains, but nothing beats the authentic feel of an open-air baseball park or the look and feel of freshly mown Kentucky Bluegrass.

We just finished a tour of the Citizens Bank Park. A couple of standouts to notice while watching the game: The 35-foot by 50-foot Liberty Bell that towers 100 feet above right center field. It rings after every Phillies home run along with a burst of fireworks.

There’s also a rude awakening for Rays pitchers when they enter the bi-level bullpen, again over right-center field. Phillies fans can lean over a balcony and yell insults as the Rays pitchers warm up. We’re told the Phillies pitchers used to warm up in the upper deck, because it has a great view of the infield, but Phillies fans would lash verbal assaults at their own players if the game wasn’t going their way ... so now it’s where the opposing pitchers have to warm up. 

Our tour guide says he prefers to think of the Phillies fans as passionate… not insulting or rude. Try telling that to a Rays fan holding a cowbell.