Veterans Stadium

PHILADELPHIA - The Ravens' preseason opener ended before it got started last night when their game with the Philadelphia Eagles was postponed because of problems with the new artificial surface at Veterans Stadium. Officials from both NFL teams said the artificial turf used to cover dirt cut-outs for bases on the baseball diamond were uneven and could affect players' footing. Players noticed the problems with the NeXturf surface during pregame walkthroughs. "It's very dangerous," Ravens coach Brian Billick said.

A scout's take On Nick Swisher, Oakland's 26-year-old outfielder Offense -- He has really been the catalyst for the Athletics most of the season. He has had surprising power and is not chasing out of the strike zone. He has good bat speed and he's getting some lift that he never had before. Defense -- He's a good defender, but he can't throw. He has a below-average arm. Besides that, he is a good outfielder. Makeup -- He was very impressed with himself when he came up. He was real cocky, and he didn't defer to the veterans the way rookies should.

On deck Shawn Estes, traded Thursday from the Mets, makes his first start today for the Reds, facing the Astros. He said it "Beer: $5; Ticket: $10; Rolen: Worthless." Fan sign at Veterans Stadium, where former Phillie Scott Rolen made his first appearance since being traded to the Cardinals last month

It's a fact The Giants are the only team to be no-hit in a nine-inning game at Veterans Stadium. Milestone The Yankees finished with a winning April for the 12th straight year, tying a record set by the 1941-1952 Yankees. The number 12: Players on the Brewers' 25-man roster who were in the organization at the end of last season.

Astros: Houston is 16-18 against the NL Central and plays its next 18 games against division teams.Blue Jays: Catcher Sandy Martinez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained ankle injured Friday night.Cardinals: Infielder Mike Gallego is errorless this season in 29 games, totaling 157 chances.Cubs: Chicago has won 15 of its past 23.Giants: Barry Bonds has 23 homers at Veterans Stadium, the second-most by an opponent behind Gary Carter's 26.Pub Date: 8/18/96

At Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia Day ......... Time ...... TV ............... Starters Tonight ..... 7:05 ..... CSN .............. Willis Roberts (5-5, 4.70) ............................................... vs. Omar Daal (7-1, 3.65) Tomorrow ... 7:05 ..... 54, 50 ............ Jason Johnson (6-3, 3.09) ............................................... vs. Robert Person (4-5, 4.37) Sunday ...... 1:35 ..... 13, 50 ............ Jose Mercedes (1-8, 6.15) ................................

Quote: "Honestly, I don't feel good because I gave up seven runs. But finally I can sleep tonight because I won. It's easy to forget the bad games if I'm winning."-- Chan Ho Park of the Dodgers, who had lost his previous four starts but won yesterday despite allowing 10 hits and seven runs in five innings.It's a fact: The Dodgers' Eric Karros has 15 homers at Coors Field, a record for an opposing player.Who's hot: Rockies catcher Kirk Manwaring has 15 hits in his last 26 at-bats (.577).Who's not: Expos starters have not won a game since June 25.On deck: Professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will take batting practice at Veterans Stadium before tonight's Phillies-Orioles game.

The Ravens have tentatively scheduled four preseason opponents and are close to securing Aug. 12 as the exhibition opener against the Philadelphia Eagles at Veterans Stadium.The Ravens also expect to play their second preseason contest on the road -- against the Atlanta Falcons, losers of Super Bowl XXXIII -- the following week.The Ravens will wrap up the preseason with two home games, the first against the Carolina Panthers, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 28, and the second against the New York Giants, on Sept.

Doug Jones, OriolesHis worst bullpens:1. Tiger Stadium "It's like you're sitting in a bunker. You can't see anything. It's like a hole in the ground."2. Arlington Stadium "It was tough to see the foul lines. It was a bunker, like Detroit."3. Fenway Park "You feel like you're in a boxcar. They have sliding doors, and it's like cattle being herded. It gets really cold in there."4. Cleveland Stadium "I couldn't see home plate. The fans were really close to us, but they can turn on you. They liked to throw things at us."

Before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ever touched down in Philadelphia for the big game, there was the mind game. There were the Vet, the cold and the Eagles. Those three elements could spell psychological - and possibly physical - ruin for the Bucs in today's NFC championship game at frigid Veterans Stadium. Then again, given the mind-set of Bucs coach Jon Gruden, maybe they won't. It doesn't matter to Gruden that the Bucs have ended their previous two seasons with ugly playoff losses at the Vet. Or that they've lost four straight to the Eagles.

The Great Philadelphia Field Fiasco now behind them, the Ravens began preparation for their first preseason game - again. Ravens coach Brian Billick said, "I don't let too many people change my schedule," but the defending Super Bowl champions conducted a workout at Western Maryland College yesterday that wasn't on the itinerary when the coach plotted training camp. A day off became a practice when Monday's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles was canceled because of dangerous conditions on the artificial turf at Veterans Stadium.

PHILADELPHIA - The Ravens' preseason opener ended before it got started last night, when their game with the Philadelphia Eagles was postponed because of problems with the new artificial surface at Veterans Stadium. Officials from both NFL teams said the artificial turf used to cover dirt cut-outs for bases on the baseball diamond were uneven and could affect players' footing. Players noticed the problems with the NeXturf surface during pregame walkthroughs. "It's very dangerous," said Ravens coach Brian Billick, who tripped on the turf during his walkthrough.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of baseball's feel-good stories of 2001 - one of three Cinderella teams to go from last place a season ago to the top of their division. It is the kind of thing that restores hope to jaded fans and financially strapped franchises. The Phillies, along with the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins, are proving that while money may be the single biggest factor in the success of most professional sports franchises, there still is something to be said for solid management and good player development.

At Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia Day ......... Time ...... TV ............... Starters Tonight ..... 7:05 ..... CSN .............. Willis Roberts (5-5, 4.70) ............................................... vs. Omar Daal (7-1, 3.65) Tomorrow ... 7:05 ..... 54, 50 ............ Jason Johnson (6-3, 3.09) ............................................... vs. Robert Person (4-5, 4.37) Sunday ...... 1:35 ..... 13, 50 ............ Jose Mercedes (1-8, 6.15) ................................

Unlike W. C. Fields, many football fans at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore said yesterday that, all in all, they were just as happy not to be in Philadelphia. From regular folks to military brass, the results were conclusive, and a recount was unnecessary. PSINet Stadium beat Veterans Stadium in Pennsylvania hands down. On most informal ballots, it even topped Giants Stadium. Veterans of the Vet wrinkled their noses as they told horror stories about parking, artificial turf with Frankenstein seams and poor plumbing.