ST. LOUIS, MO – There is a new movement that’s starting to enter sections of ballparks across the league. It’s called Tarps Off. What it basically means is, clothing from the waist up. It all started at a St. Louis Cardinals game when a few male college students went topless and twirled their shirts to rally the team. The Cards ended up winning in walk-off fashion and the trend continued from that game on. A tweet was sent out by the Cards to their fanbase stating: Starting tonight, the upper right field bleachers at Busch Stadium will become a dedicated high-energy fan section, inspired by the Tarps Off atmosphere fans have brought to the ballpark. Any fan in the ballpark, regardless of seat location, can join the fun. Shirts optional!
The Tarps Off phenomenon has picked up participants at Angry Ward’s Seattle Mariners games, along with Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals ballparks. It’s mostly in the left and right field sections, with the latest ballpark being Tropicana Field, where the Rays call home.
Over at the Trop, the trend was started by fans, Justin Fry and Shawn Lukavec. The trend gained 10 followers and kept getting bigger and bigger. It starts in the 7th inning and once the shirts start coming off, young fans are seen running toward the left field foul pole in the 139 section to show their pecs.
At a recent game vs the L.A. Angels, the cult induced section held a Roll Call, but unlike the Bleacher Creatures up in Da Bronx – who chanted theirs in the 1st inning – the Trop faithful started theirs in the 7th. To the players credit, they all responded once their names were called. The shirtless ones even needle the opposing players as they chanted, “Free Mike Trout,” sympathizing with the future Hall of Famer for being stuck on an Angels losing team his whole career.
I couldn’t help not shying away so I joined the action when I showed up at section 139 and asked, “How do I join this gang?” A group shouted, “Just take your shirt off and twirl it in unison.” My shirt came off and my fat body was exposed, as I think I now have the record as the oldest “Tarps Off” participant among these youngsters.
It’s time for fans in Yankee Stadium’s left field bleachers to get into the act so they can take away the attention from the Bleacher Creatures, who are seated in right field. Over in Queens, the Mets fans need to do something to rally their team, and take away the shine of the 7 Line, who’s stationed at the center field bleachers.
Maybe the Knicks need this to happen after last night’s loss? Maybe Trump and Dolan lead the charge?
