CLEARWATER - Charlie Manuel, the manager of the Phillies, remarked earlier this year that the Phillies “owe the Yankees one.” On March 4th, exactly four months to the day the Yankees won the 2009 World Series, the Phillies had a chance to have their “payback” with their first spring training game of the year at Bright House Field in Clearwater.

Earlier this year, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel remarked to the media that his Phillies “owe the Yankees one.”

On a cold but sunny February day under skies as blue as the stripes on the American flag, Clearwater Little League Baseball ushered in its 2010 season with a combination of hoopla and enthusiasm that would make P.T. Barnum proud. Families, participants, volunteers, spectators and ballplayers all gathered on February 13 at Sid Lickton Sports Complex to make it a day to remember.

The night was almost dark black with the moon about to rise over the horizon.  A small boy with a large bat came out of the shadows of the dugout and approached home plate.  The lights on the field were bright and blinded him a little, but he adjusted as he stepped into the batters box.  Two outs, two men on base and his team was down in the game by one run.

Pedro Martinez is scheduled to pitch for the Clearwater Threshers this Sunday at Bright House Field.  The game is scheduled for a 4:00 pm start with the gates opening at 3:00 pm.
 
Martinez, 37, finalized a one-year contract for $1 million last Wednesday with the Philadelphia Phillies that includes up to $1.5 million in incentives.  After signing, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a mild right shoulder strain.