"Outstanding Venue" from distracted fan
Written: Nov 02 '00
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Pros: Wide concourse, comfortable seating, fan friendly staffing, parking, Pirate Ship
Cons: drunk fans/fans who block views
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| RTFLDGR's Full Review: Raymond James Stadium |
As a Tampa Bay resident, I have been in awe over Raymond James Stadium since it was completed in 1998. I was only able to attend my first game several months ago and the venue itself blew me away. The fans - the loyal ones that have had to watch 14 losing seasons before the Bucs broke out in 1997 - let something to be desired.
Speaking of the venue first: Raymond James Stadium is wide concourse paradise sitting on a major north-south artery in Tampa, so the stadium itself is easily accessible. The parking around the stadium is ample for the 65 thousand fans that attend each home game (though there have been some complaints from tailgaters who can no longer park in sections of Al Lopez Park, north of the stadium). The stadium is easily acessed on all sides and the crew of staffers who must deal with the public were kind and courteous.
Inside the stadium, as stated about, the stadium is a wide concourse paradise. There are ample (if not high priced) points of sales on either side of the Stadium, seating is very comfortable. The Pirate Ship in north endzone is deafening, but it's also something to admire and look proudly upon as a fan. The enter stadium seems to glow and feel bright as a Sunday Morning gives way to gridiron action.
My only complain about the stadium is not about the venue itself, but fan reaction inside the ballpark. I sat in the north end zone at the game I attended and I constantly had my view blocked by fans standing to catch Warrick Dunn scampering for a run of 3 yards or no gain... Nothing big that would encourage fans to stand due to excitement of the play. I also was nearly in a fight with a drunk who blocked my way out of my seating area.,.. Sure a football game is a stress relief to some, but it isn't such a matter that someone should use it to cause duress to others (unless they are wearing the fatigues of another team). Tampa Bay fans (at any venue, be it Ice Palace, Tropicana Field or RJS) also have a tendance to get up a little too much to make a concession run/bathroom run/social run and distract other fans due to there constant comings and goings from the seating area.
All in all, Raymond James Stadium earns a A- from me. Great venue that should be the model of every future stadium in the US.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: No Problemo
Seat Location: Outfield/Endzone
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Epinions.com ID:
RTFLDGR
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Member: John F.
Location: Palm Harbor, Florida
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 0 members
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