Mar. 12 -- SPRING TRAINING RE-SET

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, I've touched down here after a brief layover in Atlanta. Two flights, two on-time arrivals for AirTran. US Airways should take note.

Anyway, it occurred to me a few minutes ago, as I drove along the Courtney Campbell Causeway over Tampa Bay, that I never made good on my promise last month of posting a Clearwater travel guide. And since Easter vacation is upcoming and spring break is in full swing, there's no time like the present. Bear in mind that I'm no travel agent, and most of my time here is spent shuttling myself to and from Bright House Field. But this is my third spring training, so I've gotten to know Clearwater a little bit, and I'd be happy to share a few of my favorite places.

For those who don't know, Clearwater is on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It's situated west of Tampa and north of St. Pete, and for baseball fans, it's a short drive from the training sites for several teams -- Phillies (Clearwater), Blue Jays (Dunedin), Yankees (Tampa), Rays (St. Pete), Pirates (Bradenton), Reds (Sarasota), Tigers (Lakeland). Bright House Field and the Carpenter Complex, the Phillies' home base, is located off Route 60, also known as Gulf to Bay. Quite simply, it runs east-west, linking Tampa Bay with the Gulf of Mexico. About 10 miles west of the ballpark, you'll find Clearwater Beach, home of Frenchy's (my personal favorite spot in Clearwater). Looking for restaurants? Try this one. Or this one. Both can be found near the beach. Lenny's is an excellent breakfast spot near Bright House, perfect for before day games. Oh, one last thing: Clearwater is home to the "spiritual headquarters" of the Church of Scientology. I've never seen these two wandering around, though.

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After an off-day (their only off-day of the spring) yesterday, the Phillies are back in action tonight against the Reds at Bright House. They'll be in Florida for exactly 16 more days, and before they head north, they still have to answer a bunch of questions.

Tonight's lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins, DH Greg Dobbs, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard, LF Pat Burrell, RF Geoff Jenkins, 3B Pedro Feliz, CF Jayson Werth, C Carlos Ruiz. Starting is RHP Ryan Madson. Don't get any ideas. Madson isn't suddenly a candidate for the No. 5 starter spot. The Phillies want him to face better hitters than relievers usually face in the late innings of spring training games. Too bad the Reds' lineup includes Ryan Freel, Scott Hatteberg, Corey Patterson, Jerry Hairston Jr., and little else. The Phillies are facing Bronson Arroyo, though. Should be a good test.

More later.