Devil Rays' Winter Caravan draws near

01/27/2006
ST. PETERSBURG -- For nine years, the Devil Rays have used the offseason to try to connect with fans all around the Tampa Bay area with their annual Winter Caravan. And just like with the team on the field, the Rays hope this years event, which kicks off at the Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Tampa on Feb. 1, will be even better.
"It's an outreach effort," said Veronica Costello, vice president of community outreach. "It's a good opportunity for us to meet folks and they can meet us. It's also for them to hear the new message of the Rays and what we are doing and why we want to be a part of the community."
There has never been a better time to catch a glimpse of the caravan because this year fans have a chance to meet many of the new faces that are guiding the Devil Rays organization. Manager Joe Maddon, team president Matt Silverman, executive vice president Andrew Friedman, senior vice president Gerry Hunsicker and a host of players will be along for the ride. Also, radio broadcasters Dave Wills and Andy Freed, mascot Raymond and television play-by-play man Dewayne Staats will take part.
Players Rocco Baldelli, Jorge Cantu, Joey Gathright, Seth McClung, Chad Orvella and Doug Waechter are scheduled to appear at various stops.
After the luncheon on the caravan's opening day, it will make stops at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and the Interbay-Glover YMCA (4411 S. Himes Ave.). In addition to stops in Tampa, the caravan will also stop in Bradenton and St. Petersburg, giving Rays fans from across the Tampa area a chance to see the Rays.
"We will continue to reach out to our fans in many communities throughout the large region we serve during Spring Training, the regular season and into the offseason," said Silverman.
On Feb. 2, the caravan is off to Manatee County for a luncheon with the Manatee-Sarasota Chamber of Commerce at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club in Bradenton. It will also visit Manatee Memorial Hospital (206 Second St. East in Bradenton) and the 13th Avenue Community Center (201 13th Ave. West in Bradenton).
On Feb. 14, the caravan begins at noon for lunch in the dining hall at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa followed by an autograph session for the soldiers at 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., the Rays will conduct an assembly for elementary school children on the base and at 2:30 p.m., the caravan will tour the base.
The caravan will conclude Feb. 15 with three stops in St. Petersburg, beginning with a luncheon with the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Chambers of Commerce at Tropicana Field. At 1:30 p.m., the caravan will head to All Children's Hospital (801 6th St. South) and then at 3:30 p.m. to Northeast Little League (First Street and 45th Avenue North).

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/