| One of the really fun parts of being a true | | | | to greatness. Some of the fans that come to the |
| baseball fan is heading out to participate in the | | | | Phillies tryouts end up being part of the good old |
| long Philadelphia tradition of the Phillies tryouts. This | | | | fashioned entertainment brought on by such a |
| yearly event occurs over and over at local high | | | | venue. |
| schools and colleges, carefully planned to draw the | | | | But the fact that the not-so-talented adoring fan |
| most steadfast Philadelphia fan out of the | | | | rushes in to the mix alongside the fresh faced |
| woodwork, to try out for a dream come true. | | | | super star hopeful is what makes the baseball |
| The Philadelphia management group orchestrates | | | | tryouts one of the most enjoyable events to |
| about three months of open tryouts for the | | | | attend. The atmosphere is almost carnival, in that |
| public, and then sits back to test the old adage, 'If | | | | wide eyed adults stand holding their well worn |
| you built it, they will come.' In this case, they | | | | gloves waiting for their turn at fielding a ball hit to |
| certainly do come. Young and old, talented and | | | | them by someone famous. Some of the older |
| not-so-talented, the Phillies tryouts are a place | | | | participants almost look shy during the |
| that every baseball fan gets a chance to rub | | | | participation rounds, seemingly awestruck by |
| elbows with the real team members and feel at | | | | having been given the chance to walk on the field |
| least for a moment that they are truly part of | | | | with the Philadelphia team members. |
| the Philadelphia magic. | | | | Whatever the reason for the baseball lover's trek |
| Now, don't misunderstand, these open call tryouts | | | | to the tryouts, whatever the reason for those |
| are the real deal for those who possess the ability | | | | who are less talented to endure what might |
| to swing a mean bat or wield a mighty glove. | | | | surely be an embarrassing moment for them, it |
| Many college level or even high school baseball | | | | seems all in good fun, and all well worth whatever |
| players come to the Phillies tryout to get the feel | | | | it takes to get there and go through the process |
| of what's really expected of them in the major | | | | of holding tight to the dream of being tapped for |
| leagues. Some of those players end up being | | | | the Philly dream team. This is part of what makes |
| picked to stay and become | | | | America great, in that a true baseball unknown |
| protégés for the Philadelphia | | | | can walk on to a baseball diamond as a talented |
| favorites. But a lot of those who come to tryout | | | | unknown, and walk away wearing the title of |
| are individuals who come just for the bragging | | | | having become the newest Philadelphia Phillie. |
| rights of being able to say they once stood next | | | | |