This past summer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came home.
Not that they had deserted us ala the Los Angeles Rams (does anyone besides me remember the Rams before they moved to St. Louis?) or any of the other traveling sports teams. The Bucs have been our football team -- for better or for worse -- since their first game in 1976.
For several summers, however, the Bucs held their summer training camp out of town. Far from the madding crowds, perhaps. But also far from the fans who loved them.
They came home this past summer. Home to One Buc Place with its multiple practice fields rimmed on three sides with up-close shaded bleachers. The Bucs opened those bleachers to their fans -- free -- for most of their summer practices.
It was a smart move.
The day IGTB went, several grandchildren in tow, only a couple of the fields were being used. But the bleachers near those fields were full. A few Bucs cheerleaders got the crowd whoopin' and hollerin'. We watched the players and coaches run through various drills. We spent a lot of time explaining the game to the kids with us.
The facilities were super clean (my daughter-in-law raved about the restroom); the concessions were very modestly priced. And at the end, they passed out free icee-pops to everyone in the crowd.
Talk about building a fan base.
Thursday April 22, the Bucs do it right again. This time they're inviting fans -- free -- to come for a Draft Party (OK, it's sponsored by Miller Lite) from 5-9 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. Yes, of course, they'll be hawking team merchandise and tickets and whatnot. But they'll also be showing off new HD video walls (!) on which they'll be airing live coverage of the draft. And Bucs players and cheerleaders will be there to meet and greet.
My guess is the place will be crawling with die-hard Bucs fans. But my guess is that at least a few people will be borderline fans or even the merely curious, waiting to be wooed.
Ya gotta start somewhere.
P.S. The Bucs' Web site says they're "actively seeking" local talent to sing the National Anthem or present colors before home games. Could be you they're seeking?
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