CBS 3 to Air Phillies Opener in HD Monday, April 2

Local baseball fans will get their first official look at the 2007 Phillies Monday, April 2nd at 1 p.m. when CBS 3 airs the season opener featuring the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

CBS 3 is broadcasting the Phillies season opener for the fifth consecutive year in partnership with its sister station, The CW Philly 57, which will air 43 games during the season. CBS 3 Sports Director Beasley Reece will join the broadcast team as sideline reporter for this special presentation on CBS 3, but he won’t be the only Eyewitness News team member in the house.

CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 are teaming up to make Opening Day a real party both on site and on air. CBS 3’s Larry Mendte, Alycia Lane, Kathy Orr, Beasley Reece, Susan Barnett, Jim Donovan, Stephanie Stahl, Maria La Rosa and Bob Kelly will be at the Third Base Gate to welcome fans to Opening Day with music and prizes from 11a.m. until game time. The CW Philly 57 Wake Up News Team, Natasha Brown, Sean Murphy and Christa Quinn, along with The CW Philly Crew members, Justin Dugan, Ashley Harder, Kharisma McIllwaine and Megan Stecher, will also be at the Gate to meet and greet fans.

“Both CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 are in high spirits for what promises to be an exciting season,” says CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 President and General Manager Michael Colleran. “Opening Day has a special place in the heart of baseball fans and CBS 3. And we are happy to announce that in addition to Opening Day, for the first time, CBS 3 will also broadcast a fan favorite, the July 4th game.”

In anticipation of Opening Day, CBS3 and The CW Philly will present Phillies Preview 2007, a half hour look at the season ahead hosted by CBS Sports Director Beasley Reece. The special will air this Saturday, March 31st at 7 p.m., April 1st at 4p.m. on The CW Philly 57, and again on game day, Monday, April 2nd at 12:30p.m. just before the game.