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Baseball Is Back In South Philadelphia

By Mike DeNardo, Justin Udo, Justin Finch

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Phillies are back in town.

After the team finished spring training in Clearwater, Florida with a record of 12 and 17 and a couple of ties, some of the Phillies faithful gathered at the ball park Thursday night to welcome their team back.

Pitcher David Buchanan says he's excited to get the regular season underway. "The weather is a lot cooler, but I mean, we're back in the city of Philly," Buchanan said. "We're back where it counts but we're ready to get things going. "

Low season expectations and a below-.500 spring training record didn't keep fans from welcoming the team back to Philadelphia. "Everybody is in first place on opening day," said one excited fan, "so optimism is my middle name."

Skipper Ryne Sandberg agrees, it's good to be home. "We'll take these two days and brush up on our skills a little bit and get settled in here at home, hopefully use these two games to end spring training on a good note."

Baseball returns to South Philadelphia tonight -- the Phillies are starting a two game exhibition series against the Pirates.

There are a few tweaks to the fan experience on display for the first time tonight. There are bright new digital menu boards at the concession stands. At the new Wayback burger location you can try to wrap your mouth around a 9 patty burger.

Also new: wine and cocktails will be available on the concourse level, says Aramark GM Kevin Tedesco.

"Now, you have to stay in that area adjacent to Harry the K's," Tedesco says. "But, you know, if somebody wants to stop and have a glass of wine or a cocktail, they can now, off the regular concourse."

And if you want to call or text or tweet someone about how the game's going, AT&T says it has doubled its cell capacity here.

After the exhibition series with the Pirates, the Phillies will have Sunday off, and then the Phillies start the 2015 regular season on Monday at home against the Boston Red Sox.

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