Feb. 20 -- LIVE BLOGGING: HOWARD'S HEARING

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- So, we're live at the posh Renaissance Vinoy Hotel & Resort, a lovely spot for a vacation if you have a lot of money. We're just south of Clearwater, about a 25-minute drive from the Phillies' spring-training complex, where the team is working out this morning. But, as you know, this isn't a normal day in the Phillies' universe.

Ryan Howard and his father, Ron, arrived here at about 9 a.m. So did GM Pat Gillick, assistant GM Mike Arbuckle and a few other Phillies execs. Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and Howard's agent, Casey Close, were already here, presumably trying to work out a last-second settlement. Howard walked quickly through the lobby, smiling and looking relaxed, although I'm sure he was a little apprehensive.

Right now, the whole crew is sitting downstairs in a place called the Abbott/Avery Chancellor Cook Room. A polite man just came over and asked a group of reporters, including yours truly, to kindly leave the hotel, lest we be accused of being peeping Toms. So, here we are, sitting outside and listening to the buzz of a wood chipper. I wonder if the noise inside the room is more pleasant right now.

(Update, 10:20 a.m.): They've been in the conference room for about an hour now, and still no sign of either the Howard camp or the Phillies group. Howard, by the way, is decked out in a gray, pinstriped suit for this very formal proceeding. Unless they've exited this massive hotel through one of the many back or side doors (a scenario that would disappoint the many writers and TV cameras in attendance), the sides are still talking. Don't forget, a verdict won't be rendered until tomorrow. We'll keep you posted with reaction from Howard and the Phillies once they leave. The wood chipper is still humming, by the way. Anyone have any Advil?

(Update, 11:17 a.m.): It's worth noting that information analyst Jay McLaughlin is in the room with the Phillies' contingent. When Tom Gordon told me about his hearing in 1994, he said the Royals' GM and assistant GM didn't do much talking. Instead, they had a statistical analyst present their case. It's a good bet McLaughlin is doing much of the talking for the Phillies.

(Update, 1:07 p.m.): Still no sign of Howard or the Phillies folks (pholks?). This isn't unusual. Typically, both sides talk for an hour. There's also a time for rebuttle, and a question-answer period. Just shared a pizza with some other writers, which provided nourishment and a temporary cure for the intense boredom. Also hopped on for a few minutes with Jamie Yannacone and Harry Mayes (The 700 Level Fanatics) on Sports Radio 950. Found this tidbit about the Renaissance Vinoy: Some people around baseball insist it's haunted. I wonder if there are any ghosts in the Abbott/Avery Chancellor Cook Room -- or if they'd agree to be interviewed. At least the wood chipper has been taken away.

(Update, 2:20 p.m.): It's over! First person to emerge from the conference room was Tal Smith (right), the Astros president and arbitration guru who formulated and presented the Phillies' case. "There was not a lot of animosity,” Smith said. “It was not really contentious. It was just a continuation of the debate.” Smith said the Phillies' case hinged on Howard's limited major-league service time and how that slots into baseball's salary structure. Howard hasn't been in the majors for three full seasons and can't be a free agent until after the 2011 season. "That’s certainly a major portion of the criteria,” Smith said. “It’s the length and consistency of the career. That’s basically what the discussion was about. There’s no denying his performance. It’s a question of how that slots into the criteria.” ... No sign of Howard yet, although his white Cadillac Escalade is waiting outside the hotel.

(Update, 3:26 p.m.): Still no sign of Howard. My guess: He's meeting with Close and/or Gillick and Amaro. Arbuckle left without comment. Three autograph-seeking kids, probably 7 or 8 years old and wearing NY Yankees and NY Giants T-shirts, just told me Howard will "be out shortly." Hopefully, they have good sources.

(Update, 3:36 p.m.): Lo and behold, the kids were right. Howard just came out of the hotel with his father and agent. He signed a few autographs and said even fewer words. Ron Howard was holding several binders under his arm, no doubt containing charts and graphs that detailed the argument for his son. With Casey Close (left) shooing him toward his Escalade, Howard was asked if the hearing was contentious. "I could say whatever, but we'll wait until tomorrow," he said. Howard appeared to be in good spirits. "I'm always upbeat," he said. "Are you kidding me? We went in. We had the process. We'll find out tomorrow how it goes. But it is what it is." At that point, Close told reporters, "We'll address this all tomorrow." Close, who has been through only four hearings, said he's flying back to Beverly Hills.