We get a lot of questions when we're out and about. With this year's schedule of meet-and-greets complete, it's a good time to address the most commonly asked of those questions.
Many of the questions have to do with Roscoe, whom Jim and I readily acknowledge is the undisputed star of the show.
Why do you have a chicken for a mascot?
Actually, Roscoe is a rooster, not a chicken. (There's a big difference, especially to Roscoe.) Princeton has a rooster for a mascot because of the city's time as an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Roscoe first joined the team as "Roscoe The Reds Rooster" (which has a nice sound to it) and did such a good job that he stayed on after Princeton became an affiliate of Tampa Bay.
His official name is now "Roscoe The Princeton Rays Rooster," and you'll see him at every home game this season.
Is it hot in that chicken costume?
Again, Roscoe is a rooster. He tells me that, yes, it can get warm. But Roscoe, being the easy-going, fun-loving rooster he is, knows being a little warm from time to time is just part of the job.
Is there a Mrs. Roscoe?
Yes. Roscoe is a happily married rooster. He also has relatives all around the area.
Where is Roscoe from?
Roscoe was born and raised in Princeton and is proud to call the Two Virginias his home. He loves working in baseball and loves meeting all the fans who come out to Hunnicutt Field.
Why can't I pull on Roscoe's tail?
Look at it this way -- how would you like it if someone pulled on your tail?
How come Roscoe isn't with you all the time?
(We get this question at appearances where Roscoe isn't with us.)
Just like anyone else, Roscoe sometimes has responsibilities outside the workplace. He has other obligations, such as family events and the like. Scheduling conflicts arise from time to time.
What's Roscoe really like?
Roscoe is a great guy -- er, rooster -- to work with. He really loves his job. He always stops by the radio booth to say hello during games. He doesn't talk much, though.
Where are the players? How come they're not with you?
The Appalachian League, the league Princeton plays in, has what's called a "short season." Appy League teams play 68 games -- compared to 162 in the Major Leagues and 140 in most full-season minor leagues. The Appy League season traditionally doesn't start until mid- to late June (this year, Opening Day is June 23).
The players who will wind up on the P-Rays are still playing and practicing at spring training facilities in Florida, in what's called "extended spring training."
They'll stay at "extended" until they report to Princeton. This season's team gets to town on June 19.
Are the Princeton Rays like a high school or college team?
No. There are many players of high school and college age, but they are professional baseball players on a professional minor league team. Playing baseball is their job. They get paid for it.
How do you get your players? Is it just Princeton people who can play on the team? Are there tryouts or something?
No, playing for the P-Rays is definitely not limited to residents of the Princeton area. Players are assigned to Princeton by the front office in Tampa Bay, the P-Rays' parent club.
Tampa Bay gets its players like every other team in professional baseball and other pro sports -- by drafting them or signing them as free agents.
Tampa Bay, like every other team in the Majors, has scouts all around the country and Latin America. Scouts find players and evaluate their talent. If the scouts like what they see, they recommend a player to the front office, and from there Tampa Bay officials decide whether to draft him. If a player goes undrafted, he may be signed as a free agent.
By the way, this year's draft is next Tuesday, June 9.
Major League teams don't hold tryouts as much as they used to. Scouting has become much more extensive and sophisticated over the years, so if a young amateur player shows potential, scouts know about him. It's extraordinarily rare for a talented prospect to fall through the cracks anymore.
What are the players like?
They're young guys who come from many different places, and even speak different languages. But they have one thing in common: Getting to the Major Leagues, or "Making The Show."
How do I get tickets?
Princeton Rays ticket prices are very budget-friendly and there are several ticket packages available. For more information, go to the P-Rays' website: princetonrays.net. You can also order tickets by e-mail at raysball@citlink.net, or by calling the P-Rays office at (304) 487-2000.
Where can I get hats and t-shirts and stuff like that?
The P-Rays have a new look this year, to match what Tampa Bay wears at the Major League level. Gone is the old green-and-black colors, replaced by Tampa's navy blue-and-gold.
P-Rays souvenirs are sold in a shop adjacent to the right field seats at Hunnicutt Field on game days. You can also order by e-mail or phone (see above).
Where do the P-Rays play?
Princeton plays at Hunnicutt Field, which is adjacent to Princeton High School and the Mercer County Technical Education Center.
Here's more information, from the team's website:
Directions
Take Exit 9 off I-77; take US 460 West to Downtown Princeton exit and take a right turn; take left turn at next traffic light onto Stafford Drive; Drive appx. 500 yards past Princeton High School and take left turn immediately before Subway sandwich shop. Main stadium entrance is in the right field corner.
Parking
Parking is free and lots are located behind the outfield fence of the stadium.
General Info
There is ADA-approved handicap accessible seating in both the first base bleachers and in the grandstand. Public restrooms are located on both sides of the stadium underneath both the first and third base bleachers. Uniformed security is on-site at all P-Rays' home games. The concession stand is located underneath the grandstands behind home plate. The souvenir stand is located in the first building at the stadium's main entrance. Gates open one hour prior to game time. All free promotional premium items on "giveaway" nights are distributed at the main gate in the right field corner only.
Who's going to be good in the league this year?
That's always very difficult to predict since Appy League teams don't know what players they'll have until just days before the season starts.
For further explanation, see the "It's Not Easy Making Appy League Predictions" entry from May 28 here on Inside The Headset.
Do you guys get to fly to games?
The Appy League is a "bus league" and the teams aren't really all that far away from each other. We take a nice charter bus to road games. The longest trip is to Burlington, North Carolina, which is about 3 1/2 hours. Most trips fall into the 2-3 hour range.
Does Roscoe get to travel with you?
Roscoe has a lot of things to do in and around Princeton, so he stays home when the P-Rays are on the road. Besides, if he went to another team's ballpark he'd be on another mascot's turf, and that wouldn't be a very nice thing to do.
Are games on the radio?
Yes. You can listen to every P-Rays game on Classic Rock 102 The New River (102.3 FM). You can also listen on the internet. Go to princetonrays.net or theriver102.com for the webcasts. The season starts June 23, when the Burlington Royals come to Hunnicutt Field.
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