Day 113 – Rays Tank

Before the game I went to check out the sting rays that they have at Tropicana Field. They have the Ray pool beyond the OF wall and before the game fans can go in and touch the rays or even feed them. Just going in to see them is free, but you have to buy the ray food if you want to feed them. The stingers have been neutralized so they cannot actually sting you when you pet them. I thought that was a rather interesting experience to have at a ballpark, it is definitely something unique.

Say what you will about how bad the stadium looks, but at least the Rays management is doing other things to make the ballpark experience enjoyable. From the Ted Williams Museum, to the Rays tank, to the numerous activities they have around the concourse, and even the cheap parking they have around the stadium they are at least doing a good job in other areas. Plus they even have a winning team on the field now.

I was surprised by the # of fans they got out this weekend. From all the small crowds I heard they got I was expecting less, although for a 1st place team it is still not good. The announced crowds this wkend were 23,706, 32,669 (are there that many MC Hammer fans?), and 21,037. The ones that do show up are pretty noisy, of course most of the noise is b/c they have decided that cowbells are in style. I can’t say I’m big on the Rays promoting people to go out and get cowbells to bring to the game, and not just b/c I’m cheering for the opponent. I wouldn’t want to hear them in Toronto either, they are not made for baseball.

After the game I went back to my hotel to pick up my stuff and then had to walk back downtown to the greyhound station. I took the greyhound into Tampa. I then had about 45 mins before the next city bus was leaving for the airport so I walked around Tampa for a while. The annoying thing was I had to carry my bag and suitcase around.

I spent the night at the airport before leaving early in the morning for Baltimore.