PHOENIX -- Fighter jets will be nearby, police patrols will be tripled, and FBI agents will be at Bank One Ballpark during the World Series.

Heightened security has always been a given for games of this magnitude, but officials will be on even higher alert for the championship series beginning Saturday because of the terrorist attacks.

Health officials on alert

PHOENIX -- State and federal authorities moved Wednesday to bolster the State Health Laboratory's capability to handle anthrax testing during the World Series and other special events. Gov. Jane Hull provided the lab with $350,000 from her office's health emergency fund. The money will be used to hire additional lab workers and pay overtime and other costs. Also, the federal Centers for Disease Control is temporarily assigning five specialists to help state employees assess potential bioterrorism outbreaks, Hull's office said. The assignment of the CDC workers is part of heightened surveillance and security measures being put in place in Arizona during the World Series, a major auto race and other events, Hull's office said. "I want to stress Arizona has not had any anthrax cases during the recent outbreak, but we will take all necessary precautions," Hull said. State lab microbiologists have tested about 400 suspicious letters, packages and other objects so far this month, with none testing positive so far. That compares with six during the entire year before Oct. 1, Hull spokeswoman Francie Noyes said. -- The Associated Press

"Since Sept. 11, things have changed and we are seeing things in a different light," said Phoenix Fire Department spokesman Bob Khan.

The World Series poses a new challenge for Phoenix area security officials, who have dealt with many high-profile sporting events during the past decade, including a Super Bowl, but never in a climate like this one.

The attacks led to increased watchfulness at all large public events and nervousness among some fans. People attending games at Bank One Ballpark in downtown Phoenix became resigned to searches.

Phoenix Police Department Detective Tony Morales said planning for a possible World Series has been ongoing for months as the Arizona Diamondbacks drove toward a National League title.

"We are prepared for any size crowd and any situation," he said.

The department is tripling the size of its security contingent at the game but officials wouldn't discuss specific numbers.

Officials with other agencies were also reluctant to reveal details of their security plans for the series between the Diamondbacks and either the New York Yankees or the Seattle Mariners.

One constant is that the air space will still be restricted over the ballpark, which holds about 49,000 people, as it has been over areas that have large crowds since the attacks.

Air National Guard F-16s will deal "very quickly" with any potential violation of the restrictions, especially during the series, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus.

He said there won't be any fighter jets specifically designated to fly over the ballpark during the games, but military aircraft will be over the city as they have been for the past several weeks.

Meantime, the FBI will have agents inside and outside of the building to back up Maricopa County and Phoenix officers.

They will also have other resources, such as intelligence, available, said spokesman Ed Hall.

"I think it's going to be the same heightened state of alertness as there was for the playoffs," Hall said.

Sgt. Don Rosenberger said the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department will have about 45 uniformed deputies inside the ball park, 31 more than normal.

The fire department will have crews on standby during the games, said Khan.

Urban search and rescue, hazardous materials and medical teams will be downtown dealing with problems that may occur because of the increased crowds, said Khan.