Team to check Colome's injuries

© St. Petersburg Times
published February 12, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- Pitcher Jesus Colome checked in at the Devil Rays training complex Tuesday, and the team sent him to get checked out.

Colome suffered what were said to be minor injuries -- scrapes and bruises -- last week when he was a driver in a car accident that killed three women in the Dominican Republic. Colome was not charged as police said the other driver was at fault.

The Rays will have Colome, 25, examined by team doctors before he is cleared to take part in spring training, which opens Friday. "We want our staff to check him out, see how he is, see if there's anything wrong," assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said. "We want to see the extent of his injuries and whether he'll be able to fully participate."

With Colome accounted for, the Rays expect all 45 invited pitchers and catchers to be in camp for Friday's first workout, set for 9:30 a.m. at the Naimoli complex, 7901 30th Ave. N.

FanFest set for weekend

New manager Lou Piniella and more than 30 players and coaches are scheduled to participate in the team's annual FanFest Saturday and Sunday at Tropicana Field.

Among the scheduled activities: fans may play catch on the field, tour the Rays clubhouse, participate in the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby and try out the latest sports equipment in the Wilson Experience.

Also, there will be a sports card and memorabilia show, a round-table discussion featuring members of the media who cover the team, tours of the Devil Rays Express, trivia contests, free video games and numerous children's activities.

FanFest hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free; entrance is through the rotunda.

Saturday also marks the start of individual game ticket sales, with tickets available starting at 10 a.m. at the stadium box office, the team store in WestShore Plaza and through Ticketmaster (727-898-2100 and 813-287-8844).

In other team news Tuesday:

-- Outfielder Josh Hamilton and pitcher Hans Smith were the latest rostered players to agree to one-year contracts.

-- Six new members of the Fan Wall of Fame were named, including 7-year-old Marc Szasz, a Clearwater boy who last year requested friends and family donate to the Rays of Hope Foundation rather than give him birthday gifts. The others are James Hanney, St. Petersburg; Theresa Hehemann and Kathryn Lynas, Seminole; and Sheryl and Dick Fox, St. Pete Beach.

-- Two area scouts were hired: Tom Couston for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois; and Joe Murphy for Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.