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Rays' Faithful Fill Fan Fest

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By CARLOS MONCADA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Baseball devotees were there to absorb the atmosphere, get handshake-close to their heroes and take part in some early ballpark fun.

Even an afternoon downpour did not deter thousands of area fans who turned out to Tropicana Field on 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 from their beloved Rays, browsed the booths of autographed balls, plaques and vintage player card collections or bought single-game tickets for the regular season, which starts March 31.

Fans also could take a swing in a big-league batting cage, 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 to left.

"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 perennial last-place team is starting the year with new uniforms, a new stadium proposal and a sense of optimism that it will 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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