FRUSTRATED BY SLOW GATE, NAIMOLI SEEKS CITY HELP

          Devil Rays Managing General Partner Vince Naimoli is
     "concerned that the Tampa Bay community has not embraced the
     Devil Rays" and is "asking for the city's help in reaching
     out to fans," according to Romano & Ryan of the ST.
     PETERSBURG TIMES.  Naimoli is "so disturbed" by a 34% drop
     in attendance that he has "approached community and
     government leaders for assistance" and met with Mayor David
     Fischer on Thursday.  Naimoli: "When I see Arizona averaging
     35,000 a night, am I envious?  Of course I am.  When I see
     all of these teams ahead of us in attendance, am I envious? 
     Of course I am."  Naimoli, on the team's future in St. Pete:
     "Let me make one thing perfectly clear: The Devil Rays are
     at Tropicana Field for now and, as far as I know, for the
     foreseeable future.  However, the Devil Rays, like every
     team in baseball, have to be supported by the community, by
     the media, by elected officials" (ST. PETE TIMES, 5/14).