Yesterday, I attended my first spring training game at the Charlotte Sports Park, home of the Tampa Bay Rays spring training camp. Being my first spring training experience, I was determined to make the most of this day. With the sun hanging high in the clear blue sky, opportunity found me moments after walking in the ballpark gates. A Rays employee approached my relatives and I asking if any of us wanted to take part in the on-field games. Before I knew it, they talked me into participating in the Dance For Your Dinner contest, where two people dance on top of the dugouts, and the best dancer wins free Chick-Fil-A. I’m not much of a dancer, but I do love Chick-Fil-A, so why not? I would report behind the dugout at the end of the first inning to prepare for my big moment.

After agreeing to the contest, we walked into the ballpark, and there they stood: the Tampa Bay Rays. Evan Longoria, Sean Rodriguez, manager Joe Maddon, and others stood around taking in the sights of batting practice. They seemed so close to the stands in this intimate 6,000-seat ballpark. Making my way to get autographs near the Rays dugout, I looked up to see Todd Kalas, Fox Sun Sports broadcaster, heading my way. I greeted him with a simple “Hi, Todd!” as he passed me, and he responded with a quick “Hi! How are you?” He seemed as nice as he looks on television.

Finally, I secured a spot along the first base wall, and talked with two little boys who were bubbling over with excitement after getting Evan Longoria’s autograph earlier in the afternoon. Soon, Desmond Jennings is standing before me, signing my baseball. He’s quiet and says many polite “You’re welcome’s” after other fans and I thank him for his autographs. Soon, greatness emerged from the dugout as camp visitor and former Detroit Tigers player Cecil Fielder graced us with his presence and signed autographs. I just got Cecil Fielder’s autograph? Unbelievable!

Making my way to our seats, I look out over a sea of reds and blues, split down the middle of the stands, with Boston Red Sox fans seated on the visitors side, as Rays fans fill the home side. Matt Moore and the Rays starters take the field. It feels good to get to see baseball in person again.

At the bottom of the second inning, it is my time to get on top of the dugout and dance. I step on the dugout roof and look out on the crowd of Rays fans, only to turn around and see a few Rays players staring up at me. Chris Archer, Alex Cobb, and even Cecil Fielder, were the faces I first recognized. I waved and said hello to the players, who waved back. The music began, and I danced for about thirty seconds, making up moves as I went. It didn’t last long, but this is what spring training is all about: the fans’ experiences.

After four months of the offseason, spring training is a great time for fans to reconnect with their favorite team. In the smaller setting, fans get to see familiar starters, new players, or prospects, while reacquainting with the sights and sounds of baseball. The roaring cheers and cowbells ringing at the ballpark yesterday reminded me of the atmosphere at Tropicana Field. With less than a month left before Opening Day at the Trop, fans can visit Charlotte Sports Park to welcome back the Rays and baseball.

And it’s here….baseball season has arrived

— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) February 21, 2012

Evan Longoria says it in a bit longer form:

Really good to be back in PC for spring. Excited to meet new teammates and catch up w guys from last year

— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) February 22, 2012

Matt Joyce is ready for a new season:

So I’ve landed in port charollette, just saw a couple of the guys… So pumped for big year!

— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) February 20, 2012

Jose Lobaton also is pumped, but I can’t understand half of his tweet:

In port charlotte. Ready to start spring training tomorrow. Voy a mi! Porq DIOS esta de mi lado…

— Jose Lobaton (@JoseLobaton31) February 20, 2012

Now moving away from the Spring Training hype, Sam Fuld has a reaction to the new “Maddon Rule” I talked about this morning:

Sadly no more pitching auditions I suppose.RT@Pincus25: @SamFuld5 u made the rule book! #Rays sbn.to/xtrQP7

— Sam Fuld(@SamFuld5) February 22, 2012

Finally, I leave you with three tweets from Dirk Hayhurst. Hayhurst has high praise for Joe Maddon:

I’d like to be Maddon’s personal assistant, just so I could learn his gift for finding positive mental angles selling them on others.

— Dirk Hayhurst (@TheGarfoose) February 21, 2012

Watch the Maddon/Friedman blurb and listen to the control and poise. That’s a skipper, speaking real words that make sense. So rare! — Dirk Hayhurst (@TheGarfoose) February 21, 2012

Hayhurst’s take on DJ Kitty:

Rays new mascot…. Oh lawdy, JP Howel is going to love this! yfrog.com/oc82808724j

— Dirk Hayhurst (@TheGarfoose) February 21, 2012

That was this week in the Rays Twitterverse. Tune in next week for more tweets from your favorite Rays players.

It’s hard to believe, but the 2012 season will be Maddon’s seventh with the Rays. His first two seasons as Rays skipper were forgettable, continuing the losing streak, but when 2008 rolled around, we finally found his genius. Maddon is known for playing the stats and matchups, which can be frustrating at times and it can also help the Rays greatly. In addition to this, Maddon is also known as a player’s manager, which works well with the Rays clubhouse culture and their young team.

Rays News and Notes

• The Rays added two players to their list of non-roster invitees, signing Brad Coon and Jeff Salazar, both outfielders. Both are veterans and will fit in nicely in Durham. Coon has never reached the majors, but Salazar has spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues, most recently with the Pirates.
• ESPN’s SweetSpot published a good piece on Jose Molina and what he brings to the Rays. This piece built upon the Baseball Prospectus piece I talked about earlier this week.
• The Washington Times has a good piece on the Grapefruit League and how different it is from the regular season. If you have never been to a spring training game, you definitely need to make a point to go, as the intimacy and access to the players are unrivaled in any other sports.
• Finally, the Rays are doing more good in the community. The Rays have teamed up with Moffitt Cancer Center this spring to offer free skin cancer screenings at different spring training venues. This is the fifth spring they have done this bus tour and they have helped 2,400 people in the past.