Fan willing to pay to see Rays with Bucs tickets

Proving that baseball and the Tampa Bay Rays have carved out at least a sliver of the attention in this football-mad community, Jayson Burtch wants Rays tickets so badly that he's willing to give up Bucs tickets to get them.

Last Friday, Burtch, a 29-year-old who lives in Port Charlotte, posted the following on a Rays message board:

Would like to swap 2 tix to the bucs vs falcons game for 2 lowers level seats to either the 9-4 game against the yankees or 9-15 game against the red sox. My bucs seats are 35 yard line Row N ($85 face value).

"Well, first off, the Bucs game isn't a great game because it's against the Falcons,'' Burtch said. "And it's early September so you know it's going to be hot. … Still, I'm really into the Rays and thought this was a good way to get good Rays tickets.''

Burtch said he has been a Bucs season-ticket holder for three years, but has been going to games for about seven years. He said he has been a Rays fan for years, but has "really gotten into the Rays this season.'' However, Burtch did admit that if he could only go to Bucs or Rays games, he would still lean toward the Bucs.

"But the Rays have really made it exciting this season; I've only been to one game this season, but that's mostly because of gas prices and all,'' said Burtch, who estimated it takes about an hour and 15 minutes to drive from his home to Tropicana Field. "I want to get good tickets for either the Yankees or Red Sox games.''

Burtch thought about trying to make a swap on a Web site such as Stub Hub, but he figured it would be easier to go straight to Rays and Bucs fans.

"I thought since it was such a bargain that my phone would be ringing off the hook, but so far, nothing,'' Burtch said. "Maybe people would rather go to the Rays games.''

Comments on this article

by Calvin	Sep 4, 2008 7:39 AM
WHO CARES? What a non story. With drivel like this, no wonder the SPT has to give away the paper.

by Mike	Sep 3, 2008 3:14 PM
Baseball Sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Kyle	Sep 3, 2008 3:14 PM
Bucs too expensive. And Im sticking to not going to the rays because: I find baseball boring, no bandwagon here. USF is the best ticket in town.

by Kurt	Sep 3, 2008 3:14 PM
These posts are funny. I live in Charlotte and still make it to 90% of the Bucs home games (not to mention the Charlotte and Atlanta games.) When I don't make it, I sell my tix for face value every time! Gruden bashers have no credibility. Go Bucs!!!

by Nicksuks	Sep 3, 2008 3:13 PM
Boston is a way better than city than Tampa will ever be. Just because you jumped on the Rays bandwagon doesn't mean every transplant cares about the Rays. RED SOX ALL THE WAY BABY!! If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best!

by John	Sep 3, 2008 3:13 PM
The fan base in the Tampa Bay area is a big joke for any sports team here. The absolute worst fans in all of sports.

by Dave	Sep 3, 2008 3:13 PM
Anything, to get a shot at the Bucs. Your paper and it's reporters are pathetic. I've never seen such childish sports journalsim.

by STIXX	Sep 3, 2008 3:13 PM
I`ll do it!

by Chuck	Sep 2, 2008 10:40 PM
Where have all you "RAYS FANS" been all season?? They need your support throughout the season not just when they play the Red Sox and Yankees. I love the way they play as a team and how they give 110% percent. Let's keep them going through October

by Nick	Sep 2, 2008 10:37 PM
I'll make that Trade and I don't have rays tixs but please the The Bucs is still soo much more an entertainment venue vs baseball in that stadium...

by Nick	Sep 2, 2008 10:34 PM
Tell ME, have the RAYS given tixs to all the Area Little League TEAMs to strenghten and build a healthy fan base or just catered to transplant bandwagon Scum, NY $cum, Bo$ton $cum, CHIcago Fan$ money...Any FREE Tixs to McDill,CoastGuard or Jus CELEBS

by Nick	Sep 2, 2008 10:31 PM
Bucs should revoke Jaysons Burtch tickets and ask him next year how he liked missing the Bucs SuperBowl Run. That should get some Ray fans filled with piss and vinegar going. Just go to support Tampa Bay, and if you hate Yankee,Boston Fan or ESPN

by Elise	Sep 2, 2008 7:08 PM
I'd much rather attend a Rays game than a Bucs game. The Rays are playing great ball and have a chance at the playoffs for the 1st time in franchise history. How exciting!!!!

by Mike	Sep 2, 2008 6:48 PM
This year, Rays all day. The bucs have little to offer for entertainment anymore. Thanks Gruden!

by Haterade	Sep 2, 2008 6:46 PM
And this is news? How? Do you guys do any actual work or is it simply interesting tidbits from around the water cooler.

by Paul	Sep 2, 2008 6:44 PM
I love the Bucs, that's for sure, but if I'm forced to compare them to the Rays, it's no question. Rays > Bucs...becoming a Rays fan in their inaugural year at 10 years old, this isn't a question. I've watched them grow up, as have I.

by mo	Sep 2, 2008 6:43 PM
rays>bucs

by Al	Sep 2, 2008 6:42 PM
Was'nt it just last week that this paper posted an article talking about the Rays getting no fan support?

by Helene	Sep 2, 2008 5:29 PM
Baseball>>>>>Football live at the stadium. Don't get me wrong, I like football and I'm a big Bucs fan, but baseball is my first love and has a much greater sentimental attachment for me. I'd almost always choose a Rays game over a Bucs game.

by bobbyd	Sep 2, 2008 4:59 PM
Much rather go to a Rays game than any bucs game anytime. Whether the Rays are winning or losing. Those Rays are professional athletes who want to play.

by Nicolette	Sep 2, 2008 4:57 PM
Of course no one is going to change their mind for a football game over a baseball game. The Rays have come so far and they are going even further this year. They have become a red hot team and no one thinks of them as that because they are so young.

by Jim	Sep 2, 2008 4:57 PM
Bucs tickets can be found cheap before a game, especially against a team like the Falcons. It is like a Rays vs Royals game. It depends on the team. Can't wait for the Fall Classic, go Rays.

by reggie	Sep 2, 2008 4:57 PM
Baseball was meant to be played under the roof in the air-conditioning. NFL was made for TV with my snacks on the couch. Too hot and too many drunks to wade through for Bucs' games. I'll go to The Trop anytime as it's a much better family experience.

by Jason	Sep 2, 2008 4:50 PM
This is not a surprise. Baseball is a major professional sport that is on par with football. We are talking about the best team in major league baseball, having a fairy tail season beating teams with payrolls that dwarf theirs. America's pastime.

by Lee	Sep 2, 2008 4:37 PM
I'm as excited for the Bucs' season as I would be to get gingivitis treated. ----Bucs: No money spent on free agents (still under the cap big time), Jerramy Stevens, the Favre saga, tickets went up 33%, Simms saga--I don't care anymore.

by Marc	Sep 2, 2008 4:36 PM
Already done...I have up my Bucs season tickets (price has gone up way too much). Have been to 6 Rays games and watched almost all the rest on TV. Will go to at least three more games this season.

by Sim	Sep 2, 2008 4:36 PM
You could find Bucs tickets on gameday last season for $7-10 per seat. They are hardly a hot ticket at this point. The Rays tix will remain the hot items until they win the WS.

by Amanda	Sep 2, 2008 4:36 PM
Might have better luck posting that on the Bucs message board. I'm guessing people who faithfully read the Rays board aren't going to want to give up their tickets, whereas people on the Bucs board are probably more interested in his. Just a thought.

by LB	Sep 2, 2008 4:36 PM
PERSONALLY - I THINK THE BUCS NEED JOHN LYNCH BACK....THEN I WOULD DECIDE!

by Rob	Sep 2, 2008 4:18 PM
I'd trade Rays tickets or Bucs tickets to get Tom Jones as far from this area as possible. He must have some comprimising photos of someone very high up at the Times because he sucks.

by johnny	Sep 2, 2008 4:18 PM
Intelligent fans are getting tired of paying a premium price to watch a football game that boasts of thugs. Oh, I forgot, the wannabee tough guy middle aged men need an outlet for their expertise. Rays baseball is about teamwork-clean and exciting.

by rick	Sep 2, 2008 4:18 PM
Think about it aHOT bucs game with a sweaty 300 pound man or woman yelling in your ear or a ball game at the trop where it is kid and family friendly...did i mention the A/C

by mike	Sep 2, 2008 4:18 PM
I'll trade you one for one--I have tix to all three games in Sep 15-17

by Pete	Sep 2, 2008 4:05 PM
Of course I'd rather go to a late season Rays game against the Yankees than an early season Bucs game. This last month of baseball will be huge, I'll be more interested in the Bucs when baseball ends this year.

by Caleb	Sep 2, 2008 4:04 PM
Who wants to trade Rays tix for a team that will go 7-9 or 8-8 and jacked up ticket prices?