Sometime each fall, every baseball fan circles the day their team's pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

To them, that day officially means the baseball season is underway.

Sometime each February, every baseball writer, coach, player and employee circles the first exhibition game. Yes, spring began two weeks ago, but one can only take so much of watching sliding practice, or seeing a pitcher covering first base or observing the bullpen session of a pitcher.

Thankfully, that circled day is here. Tonight, the Phillies will play host to Florida State University (J.D. Drew's old team) at Bright House Field. The game starts at 7 p.m.

Joe Savery, last year's top pick, will start tonight. Top prospect Carlos Carrasco (left), fellow right-hander Joe Bisenius and lefties Josh Outman (right) and J.A. Happ are also scheduled to throw against the Seminoles.

Unfortunately, the game will not be broadcast on radio or television for the folks back home. So hopefully I can give you an update or two via the blog.

Good news for tomorrow (Wednesday): the Phillies play the Reds at 1:05 and the game can be heard on 1210 AM.

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Today's stories in the Daily Times:

THE ARCHIVE FILES, 2/26

Phils coaches will wear helmets, beginning tonight
(Steve Smith on the left, Davey Lopes to the right)

Gordon will shoulder load with Lidge shelfed





(it took me about 10 minutes to track down the Gordon story - so hopefully you'll continue to use the blog to find the stories without that kind of hassle)