Ryan Howard will not speak today.

Well, at least not in a formal setting with the media.

A little over an hour before the Phillies slugger was scheduled to talk with the press in the media dining room inside Bright House Networks Field, the Phillies public relations staff made the rounds to announce that the scheduled meeting had been called off.

"It's basically a decision between Ryan's agent and our (public relations) department," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said.

Gillick would not comment on whether the two sides - Howard is at a contract impasse with the team - would have to go to next week's scheduled arbitration hearing. When the Howard and the Phillies exchanged arbitration figures last month, the Phillies offered $7 million while their first baseman asked for $10 million for this upcoming season.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

"I'm not commenting on anything on his contract at all, nothing whatsoever," Gillick said.

Gilick was asked if Howard's presence in camp - position players don't have to report until early next week - was a sign that the Phillies first baseman wasn't distracted by his contract status.

"If there was a problem he wouldn't be here," Gillick said. "So consequently I think by him being here is a very positive showing by Ryan that he was very happy last year with a division championship and I think he's got his mind headed that way."

I'll try to catch up with Howard later - although surely he'll be only fielding baseball-related questions.