It's inevitable that when you attend a baseball game at Tropicana Field, your ears will be ringing. No, it's not your cellphone, don't blame any loud music, that clanging cowbell is most likely eminating from the crazed fan next to you, or perhaps you're the culprit.
A sketch that started from a Saturday Night Live skit taken up the mantle of other fan signs of support. From the wave, to "the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire" we have Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell along with Blue Oyster Cult to thank for giving the Trop more cowbell. The catchphrase caught on with Rays owner Stew Sternberg who used them to herald the arrival of the new and improved Rays.
And even though it's obnoxious when you're not a part of it, it does seem to bring unity among the fans. It's not only good for rooting on your team, but also for distracting the opponent.
Pitcher J.P. Howell told Metromix, "I love it man. I'm from Sacramento and I’m a Kings fan and it reminds me of Arco arena a little bit. It’s a big time cowbell place and it gives you goose bumps when there’s a big play that happens and how loud it gets. It’s amazing."
Craving some cowbell yourself? You too can be a part of the commotion if you attend a Rays game. Or, bring your own from home.
But once you get one, you can't just go clanging it willy nilly. This isn't 'Nam, there are rules.
Feel free to ring when:
1. A pitcher has two strikes on an opposing batter
2. A Rays player reaches a base or scores a run
3. Prompted to do so by the Rays vision scoreboard
Follow the cowbell etiquette and you'll be set.
Go Rays!
Now go to Rays Central for more fan fun.
