FB: Liberty League

[JQV]

Jose -

Is the bowl game that new "St. Petersburg Bowl" I saw being advertised the other day?  That one struck me as a little funny -- just not the first city I'd think of to host a bowl game under its own name.  By the way, you ever make it down to Miami?

- Frank

Yeah the St. Petersburg Bowl.  I think it is pretty goofy too but it is being bankrolled by ESPN, which means it will be a big hit.  That makes two bowl games in this area (Outback Bowl).

I haven't been in Miami in a while but I do get down to Delray Beach in Palm Beach County with some regularity.  You enjoying your time in Coral Gables?

[Frank Rossi]

Jose -

Is the bowl game that new "St. Petersburg Bowl" I saw being advertised the other day?  That one struck me as a little funny -- just not the first city I'd think of to host a bowl game under its own name.  By the way, you ever make it down to Miami?

- Frank

Yeah the St. Petersburg Bowl.  I think it is pretty goofy too but it is being bankrolled by ESPN, which means it will be a big hit.  That makes two bowl games in this area (Outback Bowl).

I haven't been in Miami in a while but I do get down to Delray Beach in Palm Beach County with some regularity.  You enjoying your time in Coral Gables?

School's been a beast, but planning on relaxing a bit after Friday -- gonna hit the gym bigtime since I've been slacking.  If Union loses, the ongoing bet is that I'm required to go to the Ruck after the game with Senor RT -- so I need to be ready to defend myself.  I know Delray well -- the 'rents have a place in Highland Beach.  I'll be heading up to see them there in a couple weeks when they come down for a bit.

[Jonny Utah]

They originally built it to try and lure a team in.  Bud Selig used it to get three new parks built in other cities: New Commiskey, SafeCo, and PacBell.  Each of those teams threatened to move to Tampa and, unlike other move threats, could do so the next day because there was an empty park.  In fact, somewhere I have a Tampa Bay Giants T-Shirt because that move was so imminent.

Thats what baffles me.  They built a baseball stadium with thousands of seats where you cant see a baseball game?  I always remember it because they seemed to have NCAA tourney games there all the time.

[Frank Rossi]

They originally built it to try and lure a team in.  Bud Selig used it to get three new parks built in other cities: New Commiskey, SafeCo, and PacBell.  Each of those teams threatened to move to Tampa and, unlike other move threats, could do so the next day because there was an empty park.  In fact, somewhere I have a Tampa Bay Giants T-Shirt because that move was so imminent.

Thats what baffles me.  They built a baseball stadium with thousands of seats where you cant see a baseball game?  I always remember it because they seemed to have NCAA tourney games there all the time.

Was that the venue at which Siena beat Vandy earlier this year in March Madness?

[JQV]

JU:  It does seem weird to have a baseball stadium with obstructed view seats...



FR: This year's first round games were at the Ice Palace in Tampa.  New home of the Lightning.

[Frank Rossi]

JU:  It does seem weird to have a baseball stadium with obstructed view seats...

That's why Boston keeps "BIG PAPI" around.  At least you can see him around the obstructions, justifying the ticket price.

[Jonny Utah]

JU:  It does seem weird to have a baseball stadium with obstructed view seats...



FR: This year's first round games were at the Ice Palace in Tampa.  New home of the Lightning.

Yea but someone has paid for that seat every game for the last 20 years in a stadium built in 1912 when they probably didnt even have a seat behind that pole.  Building a stadium with a thousand or so seats for a baseball stadium where you can't even see a baseball game in 1990 seems a little strange?

[PBR...]

once again all purpose stadiums prove to be the worst thing ever...the sight lines, seats, etc....all stink!! build a structure w/ a purpose if you build it trying to please everyone you end up pleasing none...

[JQV]

The Trop actually is not a multi-functional stadium.  It was designed and built for baseball.  It just happens to have been used for other things over the years.  It is not like the old Vet, or Dolphins Stadium.

[PBR...]

The Trop actually is not a multi-functional stadium.  It was designed and built for baseball.  It just happens to have been used for other things over the years.  It is not like the old Vet, or Dolphins Stadium.

that stadium was built for baseball? who designed it some kid in high school architecture class? that is brutal for a purpose designed stadium. even though its not tampa should tell people its a multi sport stadium

[dewcrew88]

Not going to get any argument from me about Selig.  He has done his best to ruin the national pasttime.

PBR, tickets are incredibly tough.  I got two tickets for Games 6 & 7 of the ALCS from a friend with the AL but didn't find out about them until about halfway through game 5.  Ironically, I think there will be more Philly fans at the Rays' home games than there were Sox fans because the Phils have trained about 10 miles up the road for 100 years.

How do you think attendance will be next season? will it stay high, or go back down?

[redswarm81]

Not going to get any argument from me about Selig.  He has done his best to ruin the national pasttime.

PBR, tickets are incredibly tough.  I got two tickets for Games 6 & 7 of the ALCS from a friend with the AL but didn't find out about them until about halfway through game 5.  Ironically, I think there will be more Philly fans at the Rays' home games than there were Sox fans because the Phils have trained about 10 miles up the road for 100 years.

How do you think attendance will be next season? will it stay high, or go back down?

Attendance always peaks the year after playoff/World Series appearances - teams offer priority for playoff and World Series tickets to those who purchase season ticket packages for the following season.  But, as the other Florida team has proven, the following season's higher attendance doesn't exactly track fan interest.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

FR: This year's first round games were at the Ice Palace in Tampa.  New home of the Lightning.

You mean the "St. Pete Times Forum?" 

[union89]

Just listened to 'In the HuddLLe'....very nice job.

How cool is Coach Mike Toop??  Coach Toop was at Union during U89's freshman year....you talk about an energetic, focused guy...that's him.

The RPI guys talk about getting jacked up by Coach King......U89 will put Tooper's jack up percentage against anyone.  Coach Toop used to jack guys up by the throat ON CAMPUS and tell them they better have a better practice that afternoon.  Thank God U89 was on the offensive side of the ball.

Coach Toop is the best and U89 wishes MMA and the coach the best of luck.

[redswarm81]

Just listened to 'In the HuddLLe'....very nice job.

Coach Toop is the best and U89 wishes MMA and the coach the best of luck.

I agree with both 'gro and U89--Coach Toop is solid coach, and anyone who's ever had a solid coach recognizes it.  That was a great interview, guys--and Coach.