Baseball been bery, bery good

The Tampa Bay Rays fell to Cincinnati Reds 7-0 in their first spring training game in their new stadium. Santini and I were there to take in the action including a fifth inning grand slam home run by the Reds' Jerry Hairston, Jr. The stadium is a very nice venue for the Rays and the summer occupants, the Port Charlotte Stone Crabs. There was a full stadium and a full scale traffic jam on the way to the park as the city learns to deal with the success of the 2008 American League champions. We had good seats in the stands behind home plate. They were in the shade and a nice breeze blew though.

My best action shot of the day was taken along the first base line in the last of the 6th inning. It's baseball, baby. The Reds are in red. Although he played, I don't think that AL rookie of the year Evan Longoria is in the photo.


There is a walkway all the way around the stadium, so it is possible to watch the game from many different vantage points. Santini stands near the beginning of the boardwalk in her baseball fan disguise.

I managed to escape the park without any Rays themed merchandise, a fate somewhat luckier than Santini, although some of their baseball themed tee shirts were tempting - just to get the economy humming again in my own small way.

My time in southwest Florida is drawing to a close, but it is possible that Minnesota winter weather may extend my visit. Winter storm warnings have been posted for the Saintly City.