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Don't Expect To See Squirrels at Phillies' Ballpark, Says Stadium Official

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Twice in the last two Phillies' playoff games, a squirrel has run onto the field at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

But Phillies officials say they don't expect to see that in game five, at Citizens Bank Park.

"Inside, ball two.  And the squirrel's back -- he ran right across the plate," noted broadcaster Tom McCarthy on WPHT Radio last night, describing the furry rodent that may have cost Roy Oswalt a pitch in game four at Busch Stadium.

At Citizens Bank Park, ballpark operations director Mike DiMuzio says humane traps help to keep the squirrel population down.

"We have the traps set all over the ballpark," he tells KYW Newsradio, "because it's amazing where you'll find squirrels.  They'll be up near the light towers.  You'll see them up there.  And you'll see them down on the service level, and down on the field as well."

DiMuzio says the captured squirrels are released into city parkland.

And for those who think the squirrel is a bad luck charm, remember:  the Phils won game three, the first appearance of what Cardinal fans are calling the "rally squirrel."

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060

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