PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Phandemic Krew has been going strong for four years, cheering on the Phillies from Section 301 at Citizens Bank Park. This season, they’ll cheer for their team to make a particular play: triples.
Every time a Phillies player hits a triple, either at home or away, the fan group will donate $100 to the Pennsylvania SPCA. The effort is called Bette’s Triples — A Cause for Paws. It was the idea of Beth Overmier, from Perkasie, who has been a member of the Phandemic Krew for a couple of years.
Her mother, Bette, was a longtime Phillies fan and an animal welfare advocate. She died last November after three bouts with cancer.
“Even in her weakest days, she would call me and make sure I had the game on or I was at the game, and she would do her best to stay awake and watch them every time they were televised,” Overmier said. “She was very passionate about animals and animal welfare. She was an annual donor to the SPCA.”
Last year, the Phillies hit 29 triples. Money is being raised to support the effort through the Phandemic Krew’s website.
Opening Day kicks off Friday afternoon.