Philadelphia Phillies equipment truck heading south to Clearwater for Spring Training

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3 February 2026 at 21:58

The countdown to the 2026 baseball season has officially begun!

The Phillies are packing up their gear and leaving snowy South Philadelphia on Tuesday to head to spring training in Clearwater, Florida.

Truck Day is an annual tradition at Citizens Bank Park, with Phillies front office staff and Citizens Ballpark Bankers helping pack the items onto three 28-foot trailers.

It's Truck Day! The Phillies are packing up their gear and leaving snowy South Philadelphia, to head to spring training in Clearwater, Florida.

They will spend several hours loading in all the equipment the team will need, including 2,400 baseballs, 1,200 bats, 140 helmets, 300 batting gloves, and thousands of clothing items like shirts, jackets, socks, and belts.

"When the truck is loaded, hopefully the warm weather is coming, and probably eight weeks from now, baseball will be upon us," said Frankie Bowens, manager of ballpark operations.

Bowens has been taking part in Truck Day for 25 years now. Newcomers are just as excited.

"This is my first Truck Day, so I'm really excited about it, and I get to do it with my son right here," said Citizen Ballpark Banker, Carol Mason.

"It's great to be behind the scenes and see all the magic," said Carol's son, Andrew Mason.

And the team also won't leave home without its biggest hype man, the Phillie Phanatic, and his hot dog launcher!

"Everyone gets so excited when they see it," said Tim Schmidt, Phillies clubhouse attendant. "Once you see the Phillie Phanatic hot dog launcher get put onto the truck, you know it's go time."

This will be a special trip for Schmidt. He's bringing his wife and newborn to Clearwater this go around.

"I'm pretty excited this year," he said.

The truck will travel over 1,000 miles through eight states before arriving in Florida on Sunday to begin unloading.

This year marks the team's 80th spring training in Clearwater.

Spring training starts on February 11, with games beginning on February 21.

The Phillies' home opener at Citizens Bank Park is on March 26 against the Texas Rangers.

Hegins native to golf at Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals

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1 February 2026 at 03:46

Eight-year-old Hegins native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in his first junior golf tournament outside of Pennsylvania next month.

Sebastian will hit the skies for the first time in his life when he and his father, Eric Sebastian, travel the 2026 Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from Feb. 13-16.

“The lure of the Under Armour national tour was the chance to perform on a national level, and he’s done really well with anyone else his age,” Eric said. “He won the 12-an- under bracket at eight years old in York, so the ability to get to Florida to face off with kids across the country is not something we’ve had the opportunity to do so far.”

Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Sebastian will be one of 82 golfers from around the country to compete at the event, and one of just two golfers from the state of Pennsylvania.

The 8-year-old golfer has also competed at the Under Armour Junior Tournament in York, the Tri-State PGA Drive, Chip and Putt Tournament, the Sunny Hills Par-3 Junior Golf Tour, and the PGA Junior Tour in Homestead and New Tripoli.

“I like these junior tours because I have actual competition and somebody who’s level competition with me,” Cruze said. “It’s cold and hard to get outside in Pennsylvania. I’ve only played one round outside so far this year.”

Cruze first picked up a golf club at three years old. and followed in his father Eric’s footsteps when he started dirt biking at just two years old. Cruze also played soccer, baseball and basketball, but decided to stick with golfing.

“What makes it special is it’s not a common sport, and I’m really good at it for my age,” Cruze said. “It’s cool that I’m this good at my age, and as long as you’re having fun, you’ll golf well.”

Cruze enjoys golfing at Knoebels Three Ponds and Mountain Valley golf courses. He excels most in driving, and wants to work on his chipping and putting most before hitting the links in Palm Beach Gardens.

Having a pre-shot routine is what helps Cruze most at his age, and keeps him from overthinking a hole. Cruze knows it helps especially at bigger tournaments when there is down time and focus comes more into play.

“Having a pre shot routine is big at his age, because you get impatient and when you’re playing in a group setting like on the Under Armour Tour, so waiting for the other kids to hit their shots, you get impatient,” Eric said.

To qualify for the 2026 Winter Nationals, youth golfers had to play in a fall 2025 regional league and attend three league events with recorded scores in Golf Genius. They also had to meet the scoring average requirement of 49.9 or better for boys and girls ages 6 to 8.

The tournament features two rounds of championship golf, and the top eight players in each age bracket after day two advance to play in round three.

Players will also be rewarded with a fireworks display on Friday, Feb. 13 following a welcome dinner reception, as well as an exclusive championship event swag bag and range balls.

“I think it’s cool because you get to golf and compete with other kids,” Cruze said.

“This is his number one focus, and I wasn’t entirely sure we were going to do this,” Eric added. “Once we decided to, it’s exciting because we’ll be able to see whoever else in the country at his age and give him a gauge of where his golf game is at.”

Cruze enjoys watching TGL Golf and his favorite professional golfer is Tiger Woods. He is hoping for a big trophy at the Under Armour Junior Golf Tour, as well as a chance to take on a mini golf course during his time in Florida.

To follow Cruze’s travels and golf adventures, follow his Instagram page, @cruze.can.golf

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