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Togetherness Eclipses Loss

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By JOSH POLTILOVE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

The Tampa Bay Rays fans could have stayed home to watch Friday night's baseball game.

But in a whirlwind season in which the team earned a playoff berth, many, including Mayor Pam Iorio, chose camaraderie over comfort.

About 300 fans gathered at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in Tampa, setting up shop near a giant TV screen to watch the Rays face the Detroit Tigers. They hoped the Rays would win, clinching the American League East. The Rays lost 6-4, but their fans' dreams of an American League East title remained.

"I know they're going to get it," said fan Al VanNostrand, 48, of Tampa.

The game's video feed didn't work for the first three innings, and several people who attended were upset. Some left. Several of those who stayed said they still had a good time.

Austin Chapman, 6, came to the party sporting a Carl Crawford shirt and a Mohawk haircut his father gave him. Kevin Chapman, 27, of Sarasota said his son wanted the haircut to emulate the players, and his father finally gave in.

"It's starting to grow on me," Kevin Chapman said.

Claire Garcia, 53, of Seffner and Lucie Paulucci, 52, of Brandon arrived carrying stuffed animals. Paulucci said her cheetah is named Kazadee, after Rays' pitcher Scott Kazmir.

The two said they've been to 70 to 80 Rays games and always take the animals with them.

Prior to the game, Garcia said she came to Tampa to watch Friday night's game because "if we clinch, we want to be with other Rays fans."

The best-of-five American League Division Series will begin next week, and the Rays' first playoff game is slated for Wednesday or Thursday.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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