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More Uniforms In Rays Future

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By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2007

Updated: 11/16/2007 01:11 am

ST. PETERSBURG - Baseball purists and civic-pride enthusiasts, take heart: It appears "Tampa Bay" will have a place on the Rays' redesigned uniforms - just not until 2009.

A week removed from the much-ballyhooed unveiling of the team's new look, which features only the word "Rays" on the front of the 2008 home and road jerseys, plans already are in motion for an alternate road uniform that would include a "Tampa Bay" marking. But not until the first season as the Rays is in the books.

The lack of a geographic identity on the Rays' new road uniforms has been perhaps the most consistent fan complaint associated with the new look. Many were upset that the team was bucking baseball tradition and others were concerned that putting "Rays" on all the uniforms was an indication the franchise might be looking to move.

The vast majority of major-league teams list their city or state name on the front of their road jerseys. Of the 30 teams, only four - the Angels, Cardinals, Orioles and Phillies - featured their nickname on their primary road jersey in 2007.

"We were aware that by removing the geographic tag on our road jerseys, we would be in select company in Major League Baseball," Rays president Matt Silverman said Thursday. "It's not necessarily a permanent change but one we feel is important this year as we reinforce the fact that we are now 'the Rays.'"

The "Tampa Bay" road uniform wouldn't be worn all the time away from Tropicana Field; it would mostly serve to provide different options as the team continues to expand its brand identity. It's also possible that the sunburst that appears in the "R" on the new jerseys could become a standalone icon as the team continues to push public perception of the name "Rays" away from the aquatic creature and toward sunlight.

The alternate uniform wasn't put on the drawing board because of fan response, but the feedback didn't hurt.

"It does play a factor; we try to be responsive to our fans and supporters," said Silverman. "In fact, their input helped guide the design decisions we undertook during this process."

Silverman said last week that focus groups of fans were consulted as the team began designing the new uniforms in early 2006. They were asked about different fonts and colors and encouraged to provide any other input they had to offer.

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227 or mlancaster@tampatrib.com.

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