Major League Baseball spring training in Clearwater is still weeks away, with Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers set to report on February 13.
But for a group of Phillies legends and lifelong fans of the team from around the country, it's time to play ball.
- Phillies Phantasy Camp led by 20 Phillies legends
- Participants fly in to spend the week training and playing with the greats
- Camp open to anyone over age of 30
Nearly two dozen Philadelphia Phillies legends hit the field on Monday, and with them were a group of Phillies fans ready to live out their big league dreams.
“They’re the biggest Philly fans you can meet, and they’re a little crazy about it,” said Scott Eyre, a member of the 2008 World Series team.
Phillies Phantasy Camp is led by twenty Phillies legends, many of them National League Champions and World Series Champions. The participants are fans from around the country, who fly in to spend the week training and playing with the greats.
The Phillies hold their camp every winter, and it’s open to anyone over 30.
"I know as legends we have a great time coming here because the fans, they are here to remember stories of different things, so it also reminds me of when I played, and I get to relive those memories too so it's a lot of fun for us as well as them,” said Eyre.
Monday featured tryouts for the campers. The former Philly greats scoped out the talent during fielding, pitching, and batting practice before they were drafted onto teams.
The camp is a yearly ritual for Rob Pritchard, who flew down from Pennsylvania for the sixth time in a row.
"It's one of the greatest experiences to have," said Pritchard. "I could shut off my cell phone, leave my business behind, and just be a kid again."