Rays/MLB

Look at what's on the grill for Rays

For the first time, fans will be allowed to tailgate in the Tropicana Field parking lots. But will it be as popular as it is in that other sport?

By MARC TOPKIN and CARRIE WEIMAR
Published March 30, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays hope to one day capture the interest and fervor of the Tampa Bay area fans who flock to football games like religious events.

For now, they will try to simulate the atmosphere.

An agreement between the team and city officials will allow fans for the first time to tailgate in the Tropicana Field parking lots.

"Our fans asked for this, we heard it loudly and clearly and we worked with the city to make it happen," said team president Matt Silverman. "The party will now begin in the parking lot before the game."

Gates will open 21/2 hours before game time, and fans will be allowed to drink beer, grill burgers and do whatever they would in other stadium lots.

The Rays will have a small concession stand open on the rotunda side of the stadium and eventually might consider adding a grill or a tent, but for now will wait to see how things work. For the April 10 home opener, the Rays will have music in the main parking lot and will be selling $1 hot dogs and Pepsi.

"It will be organic - the fans can make the party themselves," Silverman said. "They can make it what they want."

Silverman said tailgating came up often in focus groups, surveys and interviews with fans, seemingly as part of the area sports "culture," and the team wanted to respond.

Rick Mussett, the city's development administrator, said there were never any city ordinances banning tailgating. All the Devil Rays needed was a permit, which is now being issued.

"I checked our ordinance and there was no prohibition," Mussett said. "It was just an assumption that must have been made many years ago."

Mussett said the city will work closely with the Rays and oversee the tailgating. After a month, they will meet to decide whether adjustments are needed.

City Council member James Bennett said he was pleased to see the Devil Rays responding to fans. But he wasn't sure tailgating would prove to be a popular option.

"Maybe someone else will enjoy it," Bennett said. "But I don't know, in the middle of August, it's kind of nice to be in that pleasant, 72-degree stadium."

Peter Hodgdon, general manager of Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill across from the Trop, agreed. The restaurant has been the traditional gathering place for Rays fans to grab a beer and a burger before the game and Hodgdon is confident that will continue.

"I wouldn't want to go tailgating if it's going to be 95 degrees out there," he said. "I think people will still come here. It's a fun place."

Fans are enthusiastic.

Patrick Kennedy of St. Petersburg, who attends about 30 Devil Rays games a year and runs a fan Web site, said he's in favor of anything that will boost attendance.

"I don't know how many fans would actually come out to the ballpark with grills and all, but it cannot hurt," Kennedy said. "It can't do anything but improve the ballpark atmosphere, especially in the concrete mess that is the parking lot."

The change in the tailgating rules is the latest in a series of fan-friendly moves by the Rays, including offering free parking in team lots, reducing some concession and ticket prices, allowing fans to bring food and certain drinks into the stadium, expanding the promotional schedule and making a $10-million improvement to the stadium.

[Last modified March 30, 2006, 02:15:33]