READING - In the best of times, these exhibitions at minor-league ballparks are billed as a chance for the big-leaguers to show off their advanced skills in the places they developed them. It is what the locals come to see.
That is not exactly what was supposed to take place Thursday night at FirstEnergy Park, the charming home of the double-A Reading Fightin Phils.
First of all, the skills of the Phillies' best players are still in the development stage in many cases or eroded in a couple of others. Even the Phillies are not exactly sure what they have with Monday's season opener in Cincinnati against the Reds looming.