Fans are urged to arrive early on Sunday night as the Phillies begin defense of their World Championship title with a national telecast on ESPN2.

Game time for Modell's Sporting Goods Opening Night is 8:05 p.m. Pre-game festivities will begin at 7:15 p.m. All gates will open at 5:05 p.m.

Some highlights of the festivities will be the raising of the 2008 World Championship flag, a very special first pitch and noteworthy guest appearances.

The Opening Night ceremonies will be shown on phillies.com and on a special edition of the W.B. Mason Behind the Pinstripes show hosted by Scott Palmer on myphl17, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.