Rays/MLB

Maddon seeks raucous home

By MARC TOPKIN
Published April 10, 2006

TORONTO - Some opponents and visitors consider Tropicana Field the pits.

New manager Joe Maddon wants it to be considered more like "The Pit."

That's what the University of New Mexico basketball arena is called, and it's a term of endearment born from the tremendous homecourt advantage it provides the Lobos.

"No team wants to go in there and play because it's just this intimate setting, the fans are right on top of you, they're extremely loud, they have their own little gigs going on, their fun little things between them and their home team, which is what I hope we get going on too," Maddon said.

"Once we arrive at that point we want to make it a fun place, a place you want to come to see baseball, a good baseball team, a fun baseball team, guys you can identify with.

"That's when it becomes "The Pit.' "

As much as he expects the Rays to like playing in that atmosphere (assuming the newly trained Tropicana Field Fan Hosts allow it), he figures there is a sliding scale and visitors should dislike it even more.

"They'll feel just the opposite," he said. "Absolutely."

Plus, Maddon said, the Rays, who play their home opener tonight, should already have an advantage in the dome because, well, they're in the dome.

The lights, the hitting background, the depth perception, the mood are all different. Plus, there's the turf infield with dirt basepaths, the quirky outfield angles and, of course, the catwalks.

"There's all these little things that are different about playing inside as opposed to outside that we should be used to that hopefully they're not going to be used to," Maddon said. "Last year the Rays were about .500 at home (40-41). We need to ... make that even better."

HURTING JORGE: Second baseman Jorge Cantu said his bruised left foot is feeling much better, but there were crutches in his locker Sunday morning and he had to switch back to sneakers after trying briefly to wear his cleats.

Still, Cantu, who missed his second game Sunday, hopes to return tonight or Tuesday. "It's not 100 percent, but in my mind I'm set for (tonight)," Cantu said.

STU'S VIEW: The entire organization, from new principal owner Stuart Sternberg down, has spent months focusing on tonight's opener, racing to complete renovations, working to boost the crowd, finalizing specifics and anticipating issues.

So when they finally get to today?

"It's going to be dizzying," he said.

One of Sternberg's biggest concerns, and it falls under the "good problem to have" category, is making sure the staff is prepared to handle a crowd of around 40,000. (They'd sold about 38,000 tickets as of Sunday afternoon, Sternberg said.)

And one of his primary goals?

"I think I'm going to be able to sit in the (ticket) window and say to somebody, "I'm sorry, there are no seats left.' "

BIG RED: Seth McClung said the best thing about his first start in Baltimore last week is that he already forgot about it. The best thing about his second start is that it will come tonight in the Rays' home opener.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity to go home and pitch in front of a large crowd that will be cheering for us," McClung said.

"I'm not going to put any extra pressure on myself or anything. I'm just going to go out there and pitch. I'm going to enjoy it. I will enjoy it."

MISCELLANY: Bench coach Bill Evers, who missed the first road trip recovering from surgery to remove a benign tumor, is expected to rejoin the team tonight. ... Travis Lee hit his third homer of the week; he didn't hit his first last season until June 13. He has hits in all five games he has played this season. ... The Rays won their third straight series at the Rogers Centre. ... Chuck Tiffany, the prospect acquired from the Dodgers, made his debut Sunday for Double-A Montgomery. He gave up no hits or runs but walked four in four innings and didn't get a decision.

[Last modified April 10, 2006, 01:57:00]