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Excited Rays Welcome Fans To The 2008 Season

Tribune photo by Michael Spooneybarger

Alec Bryant, 12, gets help from his father Mike Bryant of Bradenton to take a photo of Carlos Pena with his cell phone during the Rays Fan Fest on Saturday at Tropicana Field.

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TBO Staff Report

Published: February 23, 2008

Updated: 02/23/2008 03:55 pm

ST. PETERSBURG Baseball devotees came to absorb the atmosphere, get handshake-close to their heroes and soak up some early baseball fun.

Even an afternoon downpour did not deter thousands of area fans who turned out to Tropicana Field Saturday for the Tampa Bay Rays 2008 Fan Fest, a celebration marking the return of baseball for a new season.

Walking atop the spongy fake outfield grass, they stood in long lines to get autographs of their beloved Rays, browsed the autographed baseballs, plaques and vintage baseball card collections or bought single-game tickets for the regular season that starts March 31.

Fans could also take a swing in a big-league batting cage or test their fastball in the speed pitch booth or sock a home run in the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby.

Jeffrey Mullins, 8, who attends the Rays' baseball camp, tried his hand at Wiffle Ball. He fouled off two pitches and swung through two others before connecting with a solid hit into left field.
"My dad said I could hit a home run,'' he said while standing by his parents, Suzanne and Dean Mullins of St. Petersburg. "I tried.''

Many in the crowd wore smiles along with their Rays caps, jerseys and T-shirts, even the ones who got soaked on the way in.

The Rays are starting the year new uniforms, a new stadium proposal and a team widely expected to improve significantly over last year's record..

"It's nice to get to feel the energy and be part of the excitement,'' said John Gregg, 34, a Starbucks assistant manager.

He and Andrew Kovanis, 26, both of St. Petersburg, arrived when the doors opened at 9 a.m. By 1 p.m. Gregg had collected 10 autographs on a baseball. They also were carrying a slew of merchandise including caps, posters, water bottles and Frisbees.

Bob Martin, a St. Petersburg resident and Northeast Little League coach wearing a Carl Crawford jersey, brought his softball-playing daughters Shannon and Lauren, both 10, and Rachel, 8.

"I think it's great,'' Martin said of the event. "They're reaching out to the community. I'm originally from New Jersey, and it's a little tough to get into Yankee Stadium.''

Besides meeting and collecting autographs of Rays players and coaches, attendees could sit in on panel discussions and view artifacts from the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame.

There also were items on display from the world's largest autographed baseball collection, including balls signed by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb and other greats.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at cmoncada@tampatrib.com or (727) 451-2333.

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