WARNING: This isn't your typical, news/notes blog item. It was a quiet morning inside the clubhouse (the team is trying to get through work quick today to get out to the team's annual golf outing).

So rather than the normal blog stuff, here's an observation from walking around camp, taking in the sites and sounds... and a revelation on how the Phillies can afford their suddenly-steep payroll.



Wandering around the four fields that make up the Carpenter Complex - behind Bright House Field in Clearwater - gives you the same feel of checking out all the action on multiple Little League Diamonds within a few short steps from each other.

Except rather than seeing how Tommy is throwing his fastball or if the fat kid can hit another homer, you get to see Carlos Carrasco throw gas by Greg Dobbs or Ryan Howard take a crack at Brett Myers.

But like the Little League diamonds, there is a concession stand. The smell of grilled hot dogs fills the air as you shuffle from one field to another.

There's also a small stand that's selling Phillies merchandise, which has obviously been hot since the World Series.

While strolling by, however, I almost spit out my hot dog when I heard a fan ask about the hats. I'm pretty sure vendor said the official World Series hat was $38.

Thirty. Frickin'. Eight. Dollars.

As a baseball cap connoisseur, I know nice hats can come at a price. I'm sure I've shelled out $25-$28 bucks for a nice-looking lid in the last decade.

But THIRTY-EIGHT DOLLARS?

I just looked on-line at the MLB shop at Phillies.com to get some kind of confirmation. I can't find that hat I thought was the one the vendor was talking about (the black one players wore on the field on World Series-clinching night).

But there are two official World Series hats (the kind players wore DURING the games) that are on sale for $35.99.

Even in today's tough financial climate, I'm sure there are people who don't mind dropping a couple of Andrew Jacksons down to score a solid baseball cap. I don't begrudge you at all.

But, let's face it - there's a reason the Phils can afford to shell out over $132 million in payroll this year, up from $104 million last year.

Business is booming - in ticket sales, merchandise, etc. - in Philliesville.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh yeah, here's some news-you-can-use from the clubhouse: the lineup for tomorrow's Grapefruit League opener, Phils at Pirates in Bradenton - was posted this morning.

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Geoff Jenkins, RF
6. Matt Stairs, DH
7. Jason Donald, 2B
8. Eric Bruntlett, 3B
9. Chris Coste, C

Jamie Moyer will start. Joe Blanton is also scheduled to pitch.


Jayson Werth, Chase Utley, Pedro Feliz and Miguel Cairo are among those who won't be making the trip.