There Is No Place Like Dome

STEPPING OUR OF THE BOX-random thoughts running through my mind while working the game (this one is an excerpt from the book) page 19 www.thereisnoplacelikedome.com
"What would happen if a player threw his drinking cup on the floor at home and left there as he does in the dugout?"

This guy seemed bored so I tried to explain to him the book. When I left him he seemed stunned, he could not get over the fact that There Is No Place Like Dome!

Did you know that each panel of the new Trop roof weighs 5,000 pounds, so they had to install them alternately from one side to the other to keep the weight balanced? Also they are secured by 185 miles of cable which is the distance from here to Jacksonville. She still stands and the Rays keep on winning! Tropicana Field www.thereisniplacelikedome.com

an excerpt from the book...
For the seasons of 2008-10, Matt Garza was a pitcher for The Rays. He played a significant role in the World Series run as he was the ALCS MVP. On July 26, 2010 he became and still is the only pitcher in Rays history to pitch a no-hitter in a 9 inning game. What a fun game to watch. He walked one batter, who was erased on a double play. In his no-hitter, Garza only faced the minimum of 27 batters.

Garza had a goatee on his chin which gave him a distinctive look. One evening before the game in which he was to pitch, a season ticket holder came up to me. He had glued a small goatee on his chin in honor of Garza, it was kind of funny. He told me that he had this idea of wearing it everytime Garza would pitch. As a matter of fact he thought it was such a great idea that he wanted his girlfriend to wear one as well when they came to the game. Guess what…she did not think it was as great of an idea as he did. She refused, but told him to give the extra goatee to Bruce, “he’ll wear anything”. (ahh nice to have a reputation among fans at the ballpark)

From the beginning to Florida Suncoast Dome to the Thunder Dome (when the Lightning played there) to now Tropicana Field, the message is still the same that There Is No Place Like Dome! www.thereisnoplacelikedome.com

Then there was the COVID season where The Trop was open but masks were required (Except when eating or drinking) along with zip tied seats to keep social distancing-it was surreal in many ways.

STEPPING OUT OF THE BOX--random thoughts that have struck me over the years while working at The Trop! (taken from my book)
"Is it alright to wear a non baseball jersey to a baseball game?"

Here is to every mom who has made our dome a home! Thanks for your enthusiasm, support, encouragement and love to your family and to our Rays family. The Trop would not be the same with out any of you! Happy Mother's Day