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Inside baseball

By BY DANA OPPENHEIM | Times Artist
Published July 30, 2007

When the Tampa Bay Devil Rays play at Tropicana Field, some intense hustling takes place far from the diamond. From prepping meals to appeasing fans, a core work group keeps the Trop going.

Meet some of the players in these behind- the-scenes key positions.

	Christina Cooper seated longtime friends and Rays fans John Venere and Krys Rae. [Scott Keeler | Times]

#1 Christina Cooper, Guest service supervisor

Start at building: 1990

Duties: Oversees Gates 1, 3 and 4 guest service centers, handling all issues parking, ticketing, seating

An oddity: A man entered the building on a Segway. Cooper had to handle the situation since they arent allowed inside.

Positives: Loves helping people have fun; many are her friends because she has been there so long.

Brian Hemsley with DH Jonny Gomes. [Scott Keeler | Times]

#2 Brian Hemsley, Director of operations, Sentry Event Services Inc.

Start at building: 1994

Duties: Supervises 60 to 100 security personnel who help enforce the rules in the stadium.

Routine: Starts at command post and then visits the Rays dugout

Memorable days: Opening day and watching the fir1st pitch; Escorting Wade Boggs dad for his 3,000 hit.

Loves: Exchanging stories with people.

His advice to staffers: Fans come first. Hemsley says that, 90 percent of what we do is customer service.

[Scott Keeler | Times] Merritt Ashmore thaws out frozen Hebrew National dogs before a game

#3 Merritt Ashmore, Centerplate supervisor

Start with Rays: 1998

Duties: Oversees 25 to 35 people at the third base concession stands

Typical day: On a slow day, he does inventory, sets up, stocks and cleans from 3 p.m. to midnight.

Special delivery: Delivered food during Yankee series to a dad alone with kids in his seats.

[Last modified July 28, 2007, 10:10:55]