Inside Pitch

PHILADELPHIA -- Already got a couple emails from Yankee fans planning to make the trek down here for the World Series this weekend. My advice: Prepare for chaos in the area around the famed Sports Complex in South Philly where Citizens Bank Park is located (click photo at left for bigger view).

The complex, for those of you who may not know, consists of the Bank (top right in photo), the Wachovia Center (bottom left, home of the Flyers and 76ers), Lincoln Financial Field (bottom right, Eagles) and the old Spectrum (top middle, old Flyers and 76ers' home).

The buildings use common entrances and parking lots and things can get pretty congested on days like this weekend when there are multiple events. I know: I went in the ballpark this afternoon when it was quiet. I came out and the lots were packed for the Sixers' home opener and Pearl Jam at the Spectrum. Took me 20 minutes to find my rental car. Yeesh.

If staying downtown the subway is an option -- except that Philly transit workers are threatening a strike at midnight Friday. Here's the latest on the situation from the Philly Inquirer. If there's a strike, that will strain traffic and parking even more with all these events. The rundown:

Saturday: Flyers-Carolina at 1, World Series at 7:57 and Pearl Jam at the Spectrum in the final event in the building's 42-year history at 7:30.

Sunday: Giants-Eagles at 1 (smartly moved from 4 by Fox), World Series at 8:20

Monday: Flyers-Lightning at 5 (again, smartly pushed back by the Flyers), World Series at 7:57 

---Mike Harrington

(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

(Photo: Ballparks.com)