P R E S S B O X
RADIO ST. PETE PODCAST
Host Nanette Wiser chatted with fan host and author Bruce Reynolds about his book, "No Place Like Dome." The hilarious, charming stories of his interactions with fans, his memorable and wacky costumer and the sad demise of the Trop in last year's hurricane were all part of our wonderful conversation. The book is published by St. Petersburg Press.
JOIN Tim Hanlon & Bruce Reynolds on episode 421
A curious little podcast devoted to the exploration of what used-to-be in professional sports.
Episode Summary:
Baseball may be a game of numbers, but Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field is a place of stories — and no one knows those stories better than Bruce Reynolds, longtime Rays "fan host" and author of "There Is No Place Like Dome."
In this delightfully off-beat episode, we venture under the famously tattered fiberglass roof — currently undergoing repairs and slated to reopen next spring — to explore the quirks, characters, and quiet magic of a ballpark that has been loved, mocked, misunderstood, celebrated, and everything in between. Reynolds shares 16 seasons’ worth of memories: the oddball fan encounters, dome-induced surprises, moments of chaos, moments of kindness, and the things that only happen at the “Trop” because — well, there's no place like it!
We talk catwalks. We talk cowbells. We talk about the time the dome shook, the traditions that only insiders know, and why a stadium often dismissed as a “quirky relic” might actually be one of baseball’s most human places. And yes — even as new ownership takes over, mulls a new stadium, and crews patch the roof to keep it safe for at least a few more seasons -- the Trop continues to charm in its imperfect, unforgettable way.
Reynolds’ passion is infectious, his stories heart-warming, and his perspective turns a stadium often criticized into a character all its own.
PLUS: College bowl games, pro wrestling, the “ThunderDome,” arena league football, and the one-game wonder of the original UFL's Florida Tuskers!
READ WHAT ST PETE CATALYST had to say about Bruce Reynolds
"It’s a Home Run!" - Yvette Pegues-
"It’s a Home Run!" - Yvette Pegues-
“There are few places as electrifying as a baseball stadium on game day. The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the scent of fresh popcorn mingling with the occasional spilled beverage—it’s an experience that, for many, borders on sacred. In No Place Like Dome, Bruce, a 16-year veteran Tropicana Field Fan Host, takes us beyond the diamond and into the beating heart of the stadium itself: the stands. His firsthand account of life as an usher is a refreshingly unique perspective on America’s favorite pastime, offering readers a front-row seat to the laughter, drama, and camaraderie that make baseball more than just a game.”
Tampa bay times
“He held a copy of his book, No Place Like Dome, about friendships forged in the stands.”
Contact us.
fanhosts@gmail.com
St. Petersburg, FL