Another Chance To Watch Rays In The Park Tonight

Posted Oct 27, 2008 by Ray Reyes

Updated Oct 27, 2008 at 08:12 AM

The weather will be a little cool (low 60s and breezy), but you can bring a jacket and take in Game 5 outdoors tonight with other Rays fans.

Game 5 will shown again be shown on a 40-foot-wide TV at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in downtown Tampa.

The park is at 601 St. Pete Times Forum Drive. Admission will be free, and parking will be available at the South Regional garage for $5.

Low-back folding chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome. No alcohol is allowed.

On Sunday night, a couple of dozen fans broke out the lawn chairs and blankets to watch Game 4 at the park.

“It’s a beautiful night. How could you pass this up?” said Lesliegh Lopez, who sat on a blanket with members of her family as the game began about 8:30.

Only 20 people had shown up by the first pitch, but the fans that arrived at the park behind the St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa were still enthusiastic about watching the Rays on the giant outdoor screen.

“We’d rather watch it here than sitting around the house,” said Mike Williamson of Tampa, who wore a Santa Claus hat emblazoned with the Rays’ logos and colors. Williamson also brought with him a banner that read, “Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a World Series title.”

Williamson’s wife, Linda, said the sparse number of people was not a deterrent and it made the event seem like “a private screening.” When the game started, she started clanging a cowbell.

Tamara Silva drove from Zephyrhills to watch the game at the park with her sons, Thomas Poynter, 17, and Trace Muzzey, 11. Silva said she could not afford going to the actual game, so watching the game outdoors with fellow fans was the next best thing.

“We just wanted to come out and cheer them on,” she said. “They’ve been amazing this year.”

The event, sponsored by the city of Tampa, also featured food vendors for fans who did not bring their own. It had the atmosphere of a tailgate party, even if the team wasn’t in town.

“This is as close as I can get to a real game,” Mike Williamson said. “And I got a front-row seat.”