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Rays Hope To Be Able To Play Tonight's Game

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By MARC LANCASTER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 19, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Rays officials will be up early today tracking Tropical Storm Fay's progression up the Gulf Coast, but as of Monday night they still were hoping to play tonight's game against the Angels as scheduled.

"Certainly, the circumstances can change," Rays president Matt Silverman said around 7 p.m. Monday. "We will continue to monitor the storm and its progress, we will continue to consult with government agencies as well as the Angels and the league. If the storm continues its current track and the road conditions are safe, we will play the game as currently planned."

As computer models began to predict an eastward shift in Fay's projected path, the Rays felt more confident that they would be able to play tonight's game. Of course, last-minute course changes are nothing new for such storms, and a move back toward the west today could force the postponement of the game.

Silverman said a decision on postponement likely would be made by early afternoon.

"But at this point we expect the game will be played unless the weather changes dramatically," he said.

The decision came after a lengthy meeting held by the Rays' senior staff late Monday afternoon. Officials from Major League Baseball, the Angels and the governments of both the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County also were consulted at various points.

Silverman said the call on whether to play is not the Rays' alone, "but we do take the lead on this decision."

"The safety of our players and of our fans comes first and that's obviously one of the biggest factors," he said. "But it's a decision that we do consult with other bodies to make sure that it works for all."

If tonight's game can't be played, the preferred backup plan is a doubleheader Wednesday. The Rays weren't as enthusiastic about that possibility, but the Angels were strongly in favor of it. The teams share an off day Sept. 1, but playing then would give the Angels 26 consecutive days with a game.

It remains to be seen whether such a doubleheader would be of the traditional variety or a split day-night affair. A day-night setup generally is not preferable, but the teams might have to choose that option for a couple of reasons:

First, ESPN2 is scheduled to broadcast that night's game nationally, and the only way to all but guarantee an on-time start would be a split doubleheader.

Also, the Angels probably would not be wild about a twi-night doubleheader that started at, say, 5 p.m., because they would have to fly cross-country after the second game, then play Thursday at home. The Rays are off Thursday.

With playing now a possibility, the Angels decided to remain in town following Monday's game.

They had weighed departing for Atlanta or Miami to ride out the storm but will instead stay in St. Petersburg.

"We're going to strap ourselves down with seat belts in our hotel rooms," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "Hopefully, the cable stays on. If we lose cable, guys are going to be upset."

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

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