Inside baseball
By BY DANA OPPENHEIM | Times Artist
Published July 30, 2007
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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.
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Christina Cooper seated longtime friends and Rays fans John Venere and Krys Rae.
[Scott Keeler | Times]
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#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.
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Brian Hemsley with DH Jonny Gomes.
[Scott Keeler | Times]
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#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.
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[Scott Keeler | Times]
Merritt Ashmore thaws out frozen Hebrew National dogs before a game
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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.
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