From The Request Line: Phils Update

Since I spent all day at work doing my yearly review and I'm a bit tired of self promotion, I thought I satisfy a request today for a little Phillies news. (Sorry Biggsy, it's been a slow news month for the Phils and this is the best I could do.)

PHILADELPHIA -- On Wednesday the Phillies announced the stops for the annual Winter Tour, which allows players to interact with fans across the Delaware Valley before departing for Clearwater, Fla.

Among the events scheduled for the 39th annual tour are a Phillies Kids Phest, volunteering throughout the city on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a mall appearance and charity banquets where players will sign autographs.

Also as part of the tour, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., left fielder Pat Burrell and second baseman Chase Utley will participate in online chats on www.phillies.com. Amaro kicks off the schedule on Friday at 3 p.m. ET. Burrell will go on Jan. 16 at 5:15 p.m., and Utley completes the hat trick on Jan. 17 at 3:30 p.m.

Most events are open to the public, and some will include newcomers Geoff Jenkins and Brad Lidge, as well as fan favorites Chris Coste, Shane Victorino, Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick.

Two exclusive family events are scheduled for Jan. 26 at Citizens Bank Park: Phillies Kids Phest from noon to 3:30 p.m., and the taping of Comcast SportsNet's "Meet the Phillies" from noon to to 1 p.m. Fans can register on phillies.com until Jan. 16 for a chance to attend these events.

The first public event, the Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet, takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, Pa. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lycoming County & Hope Enterprises. Coste, Kendrick and broadcaster Harry Kalas are scheduled to attend.

Those players and manager Charlie Manuel head to the Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Lakewood, N.J., on Jan. 18 for a banquet hosted by the team's Class A affiliate.

Fans in Harrisburg, Pa., can meet Coste, Kendrick and bullpen coach Ramon Henderson when the three sign autographs at the Harrisburg Mall on Jan. 19 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 21), hitting coach Milt Thompson and others will participate in "Story Time" at the National Constitution Center's celebration of the Civil Rights Leader, which will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thompson will read from a selection of books related to King and the Civil Rights movement.

Former outfielder Garry Maddox will host his annual bowling Tournament from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the La Martinique Bowling Lanes in Stratford, N.J. Myers, J.C. Romero, Victorino, Dick Allen, Von Hayes, Dickie Noles and other local celebrities are expected to participate.

The Phillies will visit Lehigh Valley on Jan. 23 to help kick off the Triple-A affiliate's first season in Allentown, Pa. The event, being held at University Center at DeSales University in Center Valley, starts with a 5:15 p.m. reception, with the banquet beginning at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $65 each or $550 for a table of nine. Myers, Jenkins, Manuel and general manager Pat Gillick are expected to attend.

That same night, at the Wachovia Center, Jimmy Rollins and Romero will take in a 76ers game vs. the Detroit Pistons.

Lidge will join Romero and Victorino at the team's annual event in Reading, Pa., on Jan. 24. The tour finishes on Jan. 28 at the annual Philadelphia Sportswriters Banquet, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, N.J., where National League MVP Rollins and Manuel will be among the sports celebrities honored.

If anyone is interested in heading to the bowling event, let me know. I used to be in a league there along with other PSP luminaries, the Captain and Johnny Gold. You will surely get preferential treatment at La Martinique if you mention the Captain.

One last thing, we are 35 days away until pitchers and catchers report on Valentine's Day.