On the Field & Off the Field
A look at the Reading Phillies next homestand - April 25-27 vs. the Connecticut Defenders (S.F. Giants)

Schedule and Probable Starters
  Friday, April 25 vs. Connecticut, 7:05 PM
    Connecticut: RHP Adam Cowart (1-1, 2.33)
    Reading: RHP Andrew Carpenter (1-3, 5.24)
  Saturday, April 26 vs. Connecticut, 6:05 PM
    Connecticut: RHP Garrett Broshuis (2-1, 3.48)
    Reading: LHP Josh Outman (0-2, 3.05)
  Sunday, April 27 vs. Connecticut, 1:05 PM
    Connecticut: RHP Dave McKae (1-0, 2.45)
    Reading: RHP Kip Bouknight (1-2, 5.57) 

Can’t tell the players without a scorecard
After not making a roster move for the first nine days of the season Reading made a roster move on five consecutive days April 18-22, 9 moves in 10 days April 13-22 and 10 in 12 days April 11-22. All of the moves have involved a total of 16 players. 

Harman extends Reading’s big league call-up streak 
IF Brad Harman was the 4th player to receive his first big league call-up directly from Reading in the last three years. RHP Scott Mathieson was summoned in 2006. RHP Kyle Kendrick and LHP Mike Zagurski both got the call last year. Harman got the call on April 20 and made his Major League debut on April 22 at Colorado as a pinch-hitter. None of the players mentioned had any experience above Double-A prior to their call-up. 

Golson golden
CF Greg Golson, the Phillies first round draft choice in 2004 and 7th best prospect according to Baseball America, is having a very strong April. Golson leads the R-Phils with a .333 (27-81) batting average, which is 10th in the Eastern League. He leads the team with a .518 slugging% and is 2nd with a .379 on-base%, good for a team-best .910 OPS (15th in E.L.). His seven stolen bases are also a club-high and T-3rd in the league. His 27 hits lead the team and are T-3rd in the league. His 10 extra base hits lead the team and are T-5th in the E.L. He’s hit in 15 of 19 games. Golson leads all E.L. outfielders with five assists.

Among Eastern League leaders
In addition to Greg Golson (above), several other R-Phils names are on the E.L. leader boards... RHP Patrick Overholt: 4 SV (T-2nd); RHP Carlos Carrasco: 27 SO (1st); LHP Fabio Castro: 24 SO (T-4th), LHP Josh Outman: 23 SO (T-6th).

Get well soon
SS Jason Donald, hampered by a lacerated middle finger on his throwing hand, suffered when he was hit by a pitch on April 7, has started just nine of Reading’s 20 ball games. His last start came on April 15. The R-Phils are 6-3 with him in the lineup, 3-8 when he doesn’t start. 

Good genes
Did you know that John Urick, recently promoted from Clearwater, is the grandson of long-time Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog?

Utley immortalized on Friday, April 25 
Thanks to Yuengling and All-Star Distributing
In 2002 Chase Utley was on the fast-track to the Majors and skipped playing at Double-A on his way to the big leagues. His unfortunate break last summer, we mean his hand of course, was a fortunate break for R-Phils fans as it finally put him a Reading uniform, albeit on rehab. Now, thanks to Yuengling and All-Star Distributing the first 2,000 adults 21 and older can take home an Utley bobblehead on April 25 vs. Connecticut at 7:05 PM. Bonus Events: Instant Vacation trips to Atlantic City thanks to White Star Travel Center, WEEU and Lifestyle Limousine. This fantastic contest, which requires fans to come to the game with their bags packed, was recently featured on espn.com. Plus, teen rock band Comic Book Heroes, nationally known, but with local roots, will return to the Classic Cafe during pre-game Classic Happy Hour. More details at rphils.com.

First fireworks show of 2008 on Saturday April 26 
Thanks to Capital BlueCross
The R-Phils first of 28 fireworks shows during the 2008 season will light up the night sky after they take on the Connecticut Defenders on Saturday, April 26 at 6:05 PM thanks to Capital BlueCross. Bonus Events: Uncle Thirsty will crank out their brand of rock ‘n roll in the Classic Cafe pre-game. The R-Phils and 69 News WFMZ have teamed up to offer fans seven Celebrate Your Faith Nights, the first one is Saturday. It’s also the first of five Beer Tasting Festival hosted by Y-102 and All-Star Distributing. Y-102 is also helping to celebrate Joey Bago Donuts 1,000th career game worked in MiLB. More details at rphils.com.

Cap giveaway for kids on Sunday, April 27
Thanks to TomSchaeffer’s RV Superstore
The R-Phils new light navy game cap will be given away to the first 2,500 kids ages 14 and under on Sunday, April 27 vs. Connecticut at 1:05 PM. Bonus Events: Every Sunday hot dogs are just a buck thanks to Berks Packing and Stroehmann. Thanks to 69 News Berks Edition all fans can run the bases after every Sunday game.  More details at rphils.com.

Broadcasts (Listen)
   Friday, April 25 vs. Connecticut, 7:05 PM
     Radio: With Kale Beers, air-time 6:05 PM, ESPN 1240 AM,  online at rphils.com/milb.com
     Television: With Steve Degler, Mike Zambelli and Regina Potocnie, air-time 7:00 PM, TV2 Sports (check listings)
   Saturday, April 26 vs. Connecticut, 6:05 PM
     Radio: With Steve Degler, air-time 5:35 PM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com/milb.com
   Sunday, April 27 vs. Connecticut, 1:05 PM
     Radio: With Steve Degler, air-time 12:35 PM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com/milb.com

This story was posted on April 24, 2008