It's Time To Put Things Into Perspective

The Tampa Bay Rays have made it into the American League playoffs for the second time. It's a big deal for a team that has only been around for 13 years. But that's not what is making news.

What's making news is the low turnout at the last two games, which both had playoff implications. The Monday night game against the Orioles had fewer than 13 thousand fans in attendance. The Tuesday night game, which the Rays won and moved into the playoffs, had fewer than 18 thousand fans show up. After the first game, talk radio was alive with calls from people who said the turnout just showed that this is not a good market for a pro baseball franchise. And one of the most popular radio talk show hosts in Tampa (Jack Harris) said this area won't have a team in 10 years, because it's not a pro baseball town. I was shocked to hear him say that because he is one of this area's biggest promoters.

This all has to be put into perspective, because I believe this a perfect place for a pro baseball franchise. But there are mitigating circumstances for the turnout problem that require patience, understanding and honesty.

First, honesty. The location of Tropicana Field is enemy number one. I understand that St. Petersburg and South Pinellas residents might disagree, but it's the truth. I will use myself as an example. I have been a Tampa Bay Bucs season ticket holder for 26 years. I live in South Tampa. It takes me a stress-free 15 minutes to drive from my home to my parking space near the stadium. To drive to the Trop to the parking lot there takes me 50 minutes to one hour. It's not fun. But there are many more issues at play here.

The economy has kicked fans right in the wallet and the unemployment rate has left tens of thousands of people reeling. They can't afford to go to games, because they don't have jobs. On top of that this area is not home to large corporations that traditionally get behind home town sport franchises. Let's take Cincinnati as an example. It's home to Proctor and Gamble and Fifth Third Bank, just to name two. They get behind the Reds by buying blocks of tickets, sponorships and advertising. And since I have brought up Cincinnati, let me take the argument another step forward.

The Rays have been in existence for 13 years. The Reds played their first game in 1869. Why is that important to point out? It takes years to develop a loyal fan base. In Cincinnati, the Reds are part of that area's fabric and culture. When I was a kid growing up in Cincinnati, if my parents wrote a note to my school stating they were taking me to Opening Day, I was given an excused half- day absence. Schools around town had the same policy, because they understood the meaning of tradition. They understood how important the team was to the community.

Another issue is the population makeup of the Bay Area. Many, many residents here are from different parts of the country and they have yet to develop a sense of loyalty to our home teams. In time, many will turn around and start calling the Rays their team. I know, because it happened to me. But it takes time and that is where patience comes into play.

The low attendance at this week's first two games has been the subject of ridicule here and around the nation. On MSNBC's Morning Joe this morning Mike Barnicle made fun of the Rays' fans, for not showing up at the games. Let us not forget they were Monday and Tuesday night games. Translation: Work nights/School nights. Couple that with the drive time to and from the Trop for many fans - it's an issue.

The bottom line is regardless what some people might have you believe this a major league city, but compared to almost all other cities with baseball teams it's a newbie, and that has to be put into perspective.

Bill Ratliff

Oh Boy-The Fun Begins!

The general election season is now in full swing and the TV commercials are hitting the air.

In Florida, there are two statewide races that will generate the most interest: There's the gubernatorial race between Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink. Then there is the three candidate race for a U-S Florida Senate seat between Republican Marco Rubio, Democrat Kendrick Meek and Non-Party candidate Charlie Crist (now governor and former Republican).

This week the new general election TV ads hit the air. Scott went on the negative by linking Sink to some of President Obama's policies, but hasn't give specifics about what he would do differently( if you want find out you have to go to his website). Sink says she expected the tone and approach of his ad, because that's what he did in his primary campaign.

In the Senate race, Meek and Crist started airing new spots (Rubio's father died this week and his campaign may hold off for a couple of days). Meek's new spot is kind of an introduction.

He makes mention of some of the policies he supports and apparently tries to separate himself from Rubio and Crist. But he doesn't mention President Obama by name.

Crist is running a spot that says he'll take the best ideas of Republicans and Democrats and then work for "Americans" - not the parties. But he doesn't say what ideas he would offer up.

So, where are we headed, and who does Rubio go after? Crist or Meek. I'm not sure yet, but I know it's going to be fascinating.

Bill Ratliff

Call Me A Cynic - But...

The new love fest in the Florida Republican party for gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott is hard to believe.

Former Governor Jeb Bush - who supported Bill McCollum - is now saying Scott is ready to be governor. And of all things, Scott has chosen Republican state representative Jennifer Carroll to be his running mate. What's weird about that? Carroll supported McCollum during the primary campaign. Analysts and pollsters say Scott chose Carroll - who says she is a conservative - because she's a woman and she's black. They call it an obvious move on Scott's part to close the gender and race gap before the November 2nd general election.

But is it enough for the candidate who described himself as an "outsider"- and spent about 50 million dollars of his own money to get that message out - to win the hearts and minds of die-hard Republican voters? Do they really trust him - considering his bruised business background and his criticism of "career politicians" (and that includes Republicans) - to be true to the Republican cause? Some Republican officials - not a lot - have already come out in support of non-party candidate Charlie Crist.

But the issue is not about party loyalty - it's about money. After spending a ton of his own money on the primary race - Scott may not be too anxious to spend more on the big one. He's counting on lots of help from his own party. The question is - will the party stand behind him financially? Will it give him the money he needs to beat Alex Sink?

Call me a cynic - but Scott offended a lot of Republicans on his way to the primary win. Memories are long - maybe too long for a Scott win in November.

Bill Ratliff