If any of you baseball fans out there want to see a winner, then you need to visit Citizens Bank Park, home of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.  It truly is a perfect place to watch a baseball game.

The ballpark opened in 2004 and was a vast improvement over Veterans Stadium, which was one of those awful, "Cookie-cutter" multipurpose stadiums that were all the rage in the 1970s.  The only problem for someone visiting Philly for a game is that there really is nothing within walking distance of the ballpark, except other sporting venues.  Unlike in other cities where they plop a ballpark in the middle of downtown and ignore the fact that the traffic will be insane, all of Philadelphia's sports teams play in the same area in South Philly.  The corner of Broad and Pattison Streets is where it all happens.  The Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field, the Flyers and Sixers' Wachovia Center and Citizens Bank Park are all within walking distance of each other.  What that means is that there is not much else besides parking lots for miles.


When I tailgate for a game we go across Broad street to FDR Park.  What, you mean you don't tailgate for all sporting events?  Must be a Philly thing.  This park is withing walking distance to the ballpark, but is the perfect place for a tailgate.  Instead of being in the middle of a parking lot, this park allows you to set up your grill on grass, under the trees.  There is plenty of room play catch with the kids and there is even a small golf course for those of you who like to waste your time chasing around a small white ball.


The best bar in the vicinity has to be Chickies and Petes, just a few blocks from the ballpark.  Chickies and Petes is the ultimate Philly sports bar.  It's just not for the snooty rich.  This is a place where the average sports fan goes to eat some of their world famous "Crab Fries" before or after a game or to actually watch a game on one of the many TVs.


The city of Philadelphia itself is a beautiful place filled with history.  You all know about the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where they signed the Declaration of Independence.  You can run up the famous Art Museum steps just like Rocky Balboa.  I suppose if you're traveling with your wife or girlfriend you could even go inside the Art Museum.  Not sure what's in there exactly, but I'm guessing some sort of art.  You know, if you're into that sort of thing or if that's what you have to endure to get her to go to a ballgame.  If you're traveling with your kids then you can visit America's first Zoo, located in Philadelphia.  Or you could even cross the bridge into New Jersey and visit the Camden Aquarium.    


But if you're just interested in a great place to watch a ballgame, then Citizens Bank Park is the perfect place for you.  Whether you're with your family or just in town with the guys, this place has everything you could want in your ballpark experience.  


During the game kids will be entertained by the greatest mascot in sports, the Phillie Phanatic.  There is also a "Phanatic Phun Zone" where kids 8 and under can climb, explore and have the slide of their lives in the largest Softplay area in MLB.  Kids 14 and under who wear Phillie colors have a chance to be selected as one of nine kids to stand on the field with the Phillies starters during the National Anthem and even be introduced by the PA announcer.  


Any baseball fan will love Ashburn Alley, named for Phillie Hall of Famer, Richie Ashburn.  Ashburn Alley is located beyond the outfield walls and includes the history of Philadelphia baseball, including the Phillies, Athletics and the Negro League teams in the city.  There are bronze plaques for each member of the Phillies Wall of Fame.  There are many interactive games where you can run the bases and play Ballpark Pinball.  But the best feature of Ashburn Alley is the access to the bullpens.  If you don't know, the visitors bullpen is right under a railing in Ashburn Alley.  There fans can lean over and offer "advice" to the opposing team's pitchers.  They don't call Philadelphia the "City of Brotherly Love" for nothing you know.  


If the weather is a bit too hot or cold for you, then you can simply duck into McFaddens.  This bar / restaurant inside the ballpark has plenty of big screen TVs and lots of food and drinks.  Yes, I've been in there.


If you want the best in ballpark food then you've come to the right place.  Heck, Citizens Bank Park was recently named the best ballpark in America for Veggie fare, but I'm going to ignore that here since it's just so damn un-American.  How can you go to a game and not eat meat?  The answer is that you can't.  Here are a few of the highlights.


Bull's BBQ
- Located in Ashburn Alley, it is named after ex-Phillie left-fielder, Greg "The Bull" Luzinski and features the largest grill in all of MLB.  You can get barbecued ribs, pit turkey, pulled barbecue pork and the "Bulldog", an extra-large Kielbasa sandwich.


South Philadelphia Market
- Features ballpark favorites like hotdogs, popcorn, crackerjacks and of course, pretzels.


Chickies and Petes Crabfries
- You know, in case you don't have a chance to visit the restaurant a few blocks form the stadium for some crab fries.


Planet Hoagie
- The place to go if you want a real "Philly Hoagie" while at the ballpark.  It's all in the proper roll. 


Old City Creamery
- Here you can get some ice cream served in a miniature Phillies batting helmet.  Come on who doesn't want to recreate the famous Seinfeld scene where George was caught on camera pigging out on ice cream at the ballpark?  Classic.


Hatfield Grill
- French fries and traditional grill favorites, such as hotdogs, hamburgers, Italian sausages and chicken sandwiches.


Tony Luke's
- If you want an authentic "Philly Cheesesteak" then look no further.  They serve other things here, but who cares.  I think it's a law that every out of town visitor to Philadelphia must eat a cheesesteak.  Forget those tourist traps, Geno's and Pat's, this is better.


The Schmitter
- The "Schmitter" is a famous sandwich from NcNally's Tavern in nearby Chestnut Hill.  They serve it at the ballpark because they just have to.  A Schmitter starts out as a cheesesteak on a kaiser roll, but gets amped up with grilled onions, tomato, grilled salami (yes, really) and covered in McNally's Special Sauce.  You can almost feel your arteries hardening as you eat it.


One other place that you simply must visit is my favorite part of the ballpark, Harry the K's.  Named for Hall of Fame Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, it is located just below the giant left field scoreboard.  It is an outdoor restaurant / bar with a wide variety of food and beverages.  I love it because you can just mill around and talk to people.  And they have a fully stocked bar, where you can get any mixed drinks or shots you want.  If you've seen my profile picture, then you know that I am on a first name basis with Jack Daniel's.  Also, for the last few years of his career, I organized a giant outing with over 100 of my friends to go and Boo the crap out of B*rry B*nds.  We're going again this year even though B*nds isn't playing.  We have over 200 people this year.  It will be our own little tribute to Harry.


If you ever get a chance to visit Citizens Bank Park be sure to look me up.  You're sure to find me at Harry the K's with my buddy Jack.