Tampa Bay Rays hosting senior prom

It's been four decades since Scott and Pam Cooper were at their high school senior proms, but the couple hope to relive a bit of that part of their lives Aug. 18.

That's when the Tampa Bay Rays host the first Senior Prom for Senior Citizens and some Sun City Center residents are getting ready to join in the party.

When the Rays hit Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 1:10 p.m., Aug 18 against the Texas Rangers, the stands should be filled with couples who were dancing to 50s-, 60s- and 70s-era music the last time they wore prom suits and gowns.

Scott Cooper, who graduated from Plainfield High School in Plainfield, N.J., in 1965, said so far, about 15 couples have signed up to go as a group to the game. He said although the deadline for joining that group has passed, senior Rays' fans can still get discounted tickets for the Senior Prom through game day.

At the game, boutonnieres and corsages will be given out to couples and the largest group attending will be able to select their own prom king and queen, who will be honored before the game.

A photographer will be hand to take "senior prom" pictures and seniors may dance on the field postgame in the Senior Center Field Shuffle.

Chad Collard, Rays' group sales manager, said groups of 10 or more that buy "press level" tickets will get a discounted ticket, boutonniere/corsage and the opportunity for a Senior Prom photograph. The offer is available by calling Group Sales at (727) 825-3406 or e-mail groupsales@raysbaseball.com by Aug. 6 and is subject to availability.

"We try to go to as many games as we can and we thought, 'Why don't we do that?' I found out a lot of people hadn't heard about it so we organized a group to go," said Cooper, 63, who still owns a small manufacturing business in Plainfield. "I may wear a suit; I wouldn't fit in my tux anymore."

According to the Rays, the prom will be emceed by former TV sports anchor Dick Crippen, now community development and senior advisor for the Rays. Entertainment for the prom will include appearances by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra impersonators.

"The whole feel is a throw-back, turn-back-the-clock deal," Collard said.