Devil Rays Exec VP/Marketing Mike Veeck has scheduled
promotions for 70 of the team's 81 home games, according to
Marc Topkin of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. On Veeck's
schedule: July 19 is Lawyer Appreciation Night, where he
will charge lawyers double at the gate and bill them by the
third of an inning, with the proceeds going to a legal aid
charity; June 22 is Conversion Day, where fans will be
encouraged to "switch their allegiance" by trading in
Yankees hats for Devil Rays hats; April 21 is the Office
Secretaries Olympics, where there will be copier races and
coffee-carrying contests. Other promos include a July 8
giveaway of nine trips to the All-Star Game and a September
6 Labor Day special where pregnant women can attend the game
free. Some possibilities under discussion include a Salute
to Duct Tape Night (Veeck: "As a nation, I don't think we
can survive without duct tape") and something around
Salvador Dali. Veeck is also working with actor Bill Murray
and minor-league entrepreneur Marvin Goldklang to finalize a
deal allowing the group a small ownership stake in the team.
Singer Jimmy Buffet may also join (ST. PETE TIMES, 1/28).