More than 31,000 Phillies fans pack Citizens Bank Park for sold-out intrasquad game
Tickets were priced at $10, but some fans said they would have paid much more.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- More than 31,000 fans filled Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night for a sold-out Phillies intrasquad scrimmage, marking the team's first-ever postseason practice game open to the public.
The event, held ahead of Saturday's National League Division Series opener, gave fans a chance to show their support and experience the energy of Red October before the official playoff games begin.
"Look at all these people, this is just practice - the place is sold out. Imagine the playoff game," said Mark Coyle of Torresdale.
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The scrimmage featured Phillies players facing off against each other, a rare sight for fans. Brooke Stahl of Langhorne, Pa., said, "I've never seen the Phillies vs each other and I think it's really cool."
Tickets were priced at $10, but some fans said they would have paid much more.
"I would've paid $100 honestly, for an in-squad game. I love the Phillies," said Charles Morgan of Claymont, Del. "I think it's amazing because when you take breaks sometimes you get tired, you get stiff - you gotta keep loose."
The game was designed to help the team stay sharp ahead of the Division Series.
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Coyle added, "May God help the National League and the winner of the American League because you're not coming here to win."
The Phillies will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the Cincinnati Reds, depending on the outcome of the National League Wild Card Series. While some fans were confident regardless of the opponent, others had a preference.
"It don't matter, we're winning, we're going all the way. I'm that confident," said Ryan McAllister of Wilmington, Del.
Kristy Calderone of Turnersville, N.J., said, "Probably the Dodgers. I don't know, I just wanna kick their butts this time."
The atmosphere inside the ballpark mirrored a regular-season game, complete with hot dogs, popcorn, and passionate cheers from the crowd.
Game 1 of the Division Series is scheduled for Saturday, with first pitch set for either 6:08 or 6:38 p.m., according to Major League Baseball.
