Does anybody have ESPN insider?  Can we get an update on why they are reporting that Haynesworth might be coming here?  A little cut and paste?   I think this would be the best possible move for the Bucs.  It reminds me of the Sapp days when he opened up the line to make everybody around him better.  This can lead to the advancement of Haye and Adams.  It is my feeling that he is the best defensive player out there, the only concernt ot me is the injury problems.  Please go get this guy!

I am posting this to share what I am writing to the Rays customer service department and also make you all aware fo the story.

I am writing you as a concerned Rays fan.  Yesterday, June 22nd, I wanted to attend the Rays vs. Astros game.  I went online to purchase tickets like I had about 15 times this season.  Unfortunately, Ticketmaster was no longer selling tickets on-line, so I called them in an attempt to purchase tickets.  This effort also went without success.  Because of the rain, I did not want to go to the game without tickets in hand and be forced to stand in the ticket line and get soaked.  Therefore, I tried one last thing before I abandoned the effort all together.  I called the Rays office at Tropicana Field, and this is where I feel like you should be concerned as a business trying to attract customers.

My experience started as a positive one, as I was quickly helped by the young lady that pleasantly answered the phone.  I told her about my previous efforts to get tickets and my predicament of the weather conditions and desire to attend the game without needing to wait in the rain.  She quickly answered about how no longer selling tickets this close to the game was policy.  I said that I understand the policy, but I feel that a team trying to increase attendance numbers would bend the rules for a person looking to purchase 6 tickets and is unwilling to go if forced to stand in the ticket line.  She went back to the policy rehearsed line and quickly tried to exit the conversation. 

I was not happy with the dismissal she was giving me, so I asked her the simple question, “shouldn’t a franchise trying to increase attendance be more flexible in providing tickets to customers?”  Her answer was simply that the Rays had over 30K on Saturday night.  I reminded her that Kool in the Gang was in concert and the numbers throughout the year have been over 30K when a concert followed the game and Friday only had about 14K.  She was quick to point out that the Rays had a three game series during the week and drew over 100K.  I told her that I attended all three of those games and there crowd was certainly over 50% Cubs fans.

I think she had enough and quickly asked, “did you call here to bitch and moan, or is there something I can help you with?”  The only response that I felt was appropriate was, “I guess not” and I hung up.

I am a huge Rays fan and I will continue to attend games because of my love for this team and what the future holds in talent here in Tampa and as Peter Gammons recently said, “the ridiculous amount of talent” in the organization as a whole.  My only concern is the casual fan who might be treated the same way and will not be willing to attend another game because of the bad experience.  As a Rays fan, I know the importance of attendance and its relationship to the economic success and consequently the on field success of this franchise.  I sincerely hope that your organization takes a strong look at your flexibility in providing tickets to fans that want to attend games.

Thank you for your time on this matter.