For Downingtown native Graham Foley, a social media intern for the Philadelphia Phillies, filming the Phillie Phanatic for social media during games at a nearly empty Citizens Bank Park during the pandemic is a surreal experience, writes Bruce Adams for the Daily Local News.

“It’s extremely surreal being at the ballpark with no fans,” said Foley. “You sometimes have to remind yourself that a real, extremely meaningful game is taking place because the intensity is totally missing without the passion of Phillies fans.”

While the Downingtown West High School graduate is one of only a few people in the seats, the thousands of fan cutouts do bring some normalcy, he said.

Despite there being no crowd, Foley is kept on his toes by the Phanatic, who did not let the situation rob him of his ideas and exuberance.

“It’s been wild – the Phanatic always has a slew of fun ideas that I have to help execute at a quick pace,” said Foley, who makes sure to film the mascot from a safe, six-foot distance.

Read more about Graham Foley in the Daily Local News here.