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Jones: Area needs to step up Rays' support

 
The Rays drew an average of 17,857 fans per games last season, worst in the majors for the third consecutive year. The 2010 season was the last time the Rays were not in the bottom five in the league in attendance. [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times (2013)]
The Rays drew an average of 17,857 fans per games last season, worst in the majors for the third consecutive year. The 2010 season was the last time the Rays were not in the bottom five in the league in attendance. [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times (2013)]
Published March 29, 2015

New Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred (below) visited the Rays last week and also turned up on WDAE-AM 620. While discussing the Rays' future in Tampa Bay, Manfred said the usual yada-yada about the team needing support from local government, corporate sponsors and the fans.

The area is 0-for-3. The city of St. Petersburg plods along, coming up with no solutions in dealing with the Rays' request to explore stadium locations in Tampa. The bay area seems to lack the number of rich corporate sponsors most baseball teams need to thrive. And, as far as the fans, let's face it, not enough people go to the games.

I'm sick of hearing how good the television ratings are and how many people listen on the radio. Bottom line: The Rays drew an average of 17,857 fans per game to Tropicana Field last season, worst in the majors for the third consecutive year. The 2010 season was the last time the Rays were not in the bottom five in the league in attendance.

Maybe the stadium is in a bad spot. Maybe it should be in Tampa somewhere. But saying that leaves Hillsborough County fans off the hook.

Yeah, it's a pain for Hillsborough County residents to go to Tropicana Field. Know what else is a pain? For Pinellas County fans to go to Lightning games, especially because the Tampa suits can't figure out how to keep traffic moving during rush hour along Gandy Boulevard starting at the hump of the bridge. And the Howard Frankland Bridge on a weekday after work? Yeah, good luck with that.

On a weekday Lightning game night, leave downtown St. Petersburg at 5:30 p.m. and see how long it takes to pull into a parking space near Amalie Arena.

But Pinellas people do it. More Rays fans in Tampa need to do the same for Rays games. Make the effort until a Rays stadium is built in Hillsborough. And Pinellas fans, feel free to make the easy drive to the Trop. If you don't, Manfred won't be giving us the same yada-yada. He will be talking about a stadium in Montreal.