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Rays Plan Block Party For Macfarlane Park

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

WEST TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Rays will hold a free block party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 5 at Macfarlane Park, 1700 N. MacDill Ave.

Catcher Dioner Navarro will sign autographs from 11 a.m. to noon.

"We wanted to put something together that is fun and reaches out to the community," said Heather French, the Rays' senior marketing coordinator.

"We want to become the region's team."

There will be a speed pitch booth, a Wiffle ball booth for children and Wiffle ball pickup games at the West Tampa Little League baseball field across from the park.

The Rays will give out promotional items, Spanish radio station La Nueva (WYUU, 92.5 FM), will provide a disc jockey and La Teresita Restaurant will provide food.

Last year, the Rays' grounds crew installed sod and added 40 tons of clay to the infields at West Tampa Little League. The crew improved the pitching mounds and bullpens and added bases with safety features.

The team, along with other organizations, also built a concession stand and added a stainless-steel roof over the bleachers. The work was estimated at $100,000.
West Tampa resident Leo Alvarez, who helped get the Rays to invest in the Little League, hopes the celebration becomes an annual event.

"It brings more recognition to the West Tampa area and what we are all about," Alvarez said. "West Tampa is a community that is family friendly."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Tampa Bay Rays Block Party Celebration, featuring a pitching booth, Wiffle ball games, music and food

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 5; catcher Dioner Navarro will sign autographs from 11 a.m. to noon

WHERE: Macfarlane Park, 1700 N. MacDill Ave.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Heather French at (727) 825-3182 or hfrench@raysbaseball.com

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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