New Season Brings New Things For Phillies Fans To Enjoy

As the last few seasons have shown, the Philadelphia Phillies aren't afraid to upgrade the product on the field when needed. The perfect example is the addition over the winter of righthander Cliff Lee to the already potent pitching trio of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.

But when Phillies fans visit Citizens Bank Park for the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season on Friday, they will notice plenty more upgrades, this time to the team's home stadium.

While general manager Ruben Amaro was tweeking a roster that won the National League Eastern Division last season, Phillies officials were also stepping up the game day experience for fans.

From watching the action on a new massive scoreboard to purchasing Philadelphia-area favorite Tastykakes at refreshment stands, here's a look at what to expect and enjoy for the next six months while attending a game, according to the Phillies:

• Scoreboard: The biggest change this year, literally, is the arrival of a $10 million scoreboard in left field. At 76 feet high and 97 feet wide, it will be the largest in the National League and is three-times the size of the former board. Of course it will be high definition, and it will have dedicated closed caption. It weighs 42.2 tons and needs 6.2 miles of wiring to get information to it.

• Enhanced Video: If the scoreboard isn't enough, a total of 800 HD televisions have been installed throughout the ballpark everywhere from above seating locations in the lower deck to suites and public areas. They replace the televisions first installed when the park opened which were moved over from Veterans Stadium.

• Salads: Yes, salads at the ballpark. And they include a Hall of Fame Salad (a combo of mixed greens, red grapes, pistachios, dried cranberries, blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette) and Shanghai Chicken Salad (grilled chicken breast, mixed greens, crispy Asian-style noodles, carrots, scallions, low-fat ginger soy dressing).

• Healthy Food Items: It's hard to believe CBP could offer even more healthy grub than it has since it opened, but the Phillies will be adding frozen yogurt, low-fat yogurt and berries, char-broiled turkey burgers, whole wheat wraps, trail mix, whole grain pretzels and even hummus dip.

• Not-so-healthy Food Items: Paninis make their first appearance with the Phillies as will grilled chipotle chicken wrap and many variations of hot dogs, burgers, steak sandwiches, pizza and other ballpark fare.

• Tastykakes: The snack favorite returns after a long absence at Phillies games. One reason for their disappearance was that the difficulty of keeping them fresh in the heat of the summer, which has been solved by cooling units. The selection will include Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes, Butterscotch Krimpets, Chocolate Cupcakes and even sugar-free versions. Sorry, no news on Tasty Pies yet.

•  Lottery Tickets: The new Phillies instant lottery game ($5) will be sold at Majestic Clubhouse Store and Official Phillies Merchandise Stand on the Terrace Level. No, proceeds still go to support senior citizens projects throughout Pennsylvania, not the Phillies $168 million payroll this season.

• Designer Uniforms for the Ballgirls: Fourteen national companies who develop everything from swimwear to children's clothing presented designs for the Phillies ballgirl uniforms, which will be unveiled Friday.

• Food Decomposing System: The team wearing red has gone green with a high-volume organic waste decomposition system that quickly decomposes virtually all organic food waste, thus keeping it out of landfills.