Baseball2001: What's new at and around the ballpark

A: Very carefully, one would hope. Here's something that will help you avoid problems. Three light-emitting diode, or LED, signs with the capability to update messages are in strategic places, one on southbound Interstate 275 near 62nd Avenue N, one on southbound I-175 for eastbound traffic immediately opposite Tropicana Field, and one on northbound I-275 near 30th Avenue S. They will alert motorists to traffic congestion and also direct them to parking lots that are not full.

Q: How do I get to stadium-area parking lots?

A: If you're on I-275, take I-375 (exit 10) and go south on Ninth Street toward the stadium, or take I-175 (exit 9) to Eighth Street and follow signs to stadium parking. Southbound traffic also can exit at either Fifth Avenue N or 22nd Avenue N (see map). If you're on area streets, from east or west take Central Avenue to 16th Street S and go south one block. From north or south take 16th Street. The stadium sits on 16th Street S between First Avenue S and Fourth Avenue S. A new exit route from the main parking lot has been added. Vehicles will be able to cross First Avenue S at 13th Street S to get to Central Avenue or First Avenue N and go west.

Q: What about other parking lots?

A: There are an estimated 25,000 parking spaces throughout downtown St. Petersburg, including on-street parking. The main overflow parking areas are at The Pier and the BayWalk parking garage, which also are the two pickup areas for the Looper Trolley. I-375 (exit 10) leads to both locations. Two trolleys will follow the same route, stopping at The Pier, at the BayWalk garage at First Avenue N between First and Second streets N, and Tropicana Field. They will run starting one hour before game time and ending one hour after the game. It's $1 round trip, payable when boarding at The Pier or BayWalk garage. Additional trolleys may be added, depending on anticipated heavy attendance. NOTE: The 2,000 parking spaces at the Bayfront Center used last year are no longer available.

Q: How far from Tropicana Field is downtown St. Petersburg, and how can I get there?

A: Technically, the Trop is part of it, on the western edge. One block north on 16th Street S is Central Avenue, and it's about a 25-minute walk eastbound along Central Avenue to Bayshore Drive and the shops, restaurants and movie theaters at BayWalk, and a few minutes more to The Pier. Along the way, sometimes a few blocks north or south, are dozens of other restaurants, shops, museums and galleries.

Q: What's new at the Trop?

A: For openers, look up. The Rays, hoping to make the field more fly-ball friendly, have reduced the size of the catwalks above the playing field, a change they say should "significantly" decrease the number of fair balls interrupted in flight. The ring beams hold up the roof. They haven't been changed. But some of the accompanying fencing and wiring has been removed and several speakers and lights have been relocated. Twenty-seven fair balls have struck the rings, creating confusion on the field and amusement for local and national sports shows.

Q: What if a ball still hits a ring or catwalk?

A: If it hits either of the two lower catwalks in fair territory, it's a home run. Beyond that, it depends on where it hits and where (or whether) it comes down. Every Devil Ray home run that hits one of the two upper catwalks will be acknowledged with a baseball at the spot, and the batter's number on it.

Q: What about new stuff below the rings and roof?

A: Hooters and Pete and Shorty's restaurants will be added to the first base food course. Other restaurants are Outback, Columbia, Blimpie's, Bongo's, Fortunato's, Atwater's and the Tropicana smoothie stand. Also returning is the Jack Daniel's billiard hall that opened late last season on the third floor of Centerfield Street.

Q: Can I bring food or drinks into Tropicana Field?

A: No coolers or glass containers, but no one's going to confiscate a bag of peanuts from your pocket or purse.

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