How to Miss Work for Rays Game!

15 Excuses Your Boss Might Actually Believe (Probably Not)

The Rays have a playoff game. MLB moved the start time. And suddenly, half of Tampa Bay has a scheduling conflict.

Well, this is awkward.

The Tampa Bay Rays are scheduled to face the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, October 15.

Originally scheduled for 6 PM, the game has been moved to 1 PM Eastern because of the weather forecast in Cleveland.

ONE. O'CLOCK. IN THE AFTERNOON.

Apparently, nobody at Major League Baseball considered the fact that Rays fans have jobs, bosses, meetings, customers, responsibilities, and mortgages.

But don't panic.

Your friends at Pinellas Podcast have assembled a completely unofficial, highly questionable, and absolutely ridiculous collection of excuses to help you navigate this unfortunate scheduling emergency.

15 Excuses to Get Out of Work for the Rays Game

1. The Medical Emergency

"Boss, I'm experiencing tightness in my chest, elevated blood pressure, and uncontrollable sweating. My doctor thinks it's postseason-related."

2. The Family Emergency

"I've got a family emergency. It's complicated. About 1.5 million people in Tampa Bay are involved."

3. The Religious Exemption

"I observe October baseball. It's a deeply held personal belief, and I'd appreciate you respecting my traditions."

4. The Doctor's Appointment

"I've got an appointment with Dr. Kevin Cash. He's a specialist, and apparently his availability just changed to 1 PM."

5. The Mental Health Day

"My therapist recommended nine innings of uninterrupted emotional instability. It's part of my treatment plan."

6. The Plumbing Emergency

"There's a serious problem with my home plate. I need to get it checked out immediately."

7. The Weather Emergency

"There's a 100% chance I won't be here after noon. Possibly some scattered excuses throughout the afternoon."

8. The Mysterious Injury

"I'm listed as day-to-day. We're going to reevaluate my availability after the game."

9. The Civic Duty

"I've been called to serve. It's a Tampa Bay thing. I'd explain, but it's complicated."

10. The Honesty Approach

"Look, I can leave at noon, or I can stay here screaming at my computer every time somebody strikes out. Your call."

11. The Remote Work Strategy

"I'll be working from home Thursday afternoon."

Technically true, if you consider yelling at a television while holding a laptop working.

12. The School Emergency

"My kid's school just called. Something about a baseball situation."

We strongly recommend actually having a kid before attempting this one.

13. The Technology Problem

"My computer has a virus. Every time I open Excel, it starts playing baseball highlights. IT says it could take nine innings to fix."

14. The Corporate Language Approach

"Due to an unforeseen scheduling adjustment involving a critical regional stakeholder, I'll be reallocating my afternoon resources toward a high-priority engagement."

Translation: GO RAYS.

15. The Ultimate Power Move

"I'm not asking for Thursday afternoon off. I'm informing you that my availability is now day-to-day."

Bonus: What If You're the Boss?

This one's easy.

Put the game on the biggest television in the office. Order some pizza. Tell everybody to wear Rays gear.

Productivity might drop, but company morale could reach postseason levels.

And if you're a bar or restaurant owner in Pinellas County, congratulations. You just inherited a bunch of baseball fans who suddenly have Thursday afternoon available.

NOW WE WANT TO HEAR FROM PINELLAS!

What's the most creative excuse YOU could come up with to leave work early Thursday?

And bosses, let's hear from you, too.

Are you letting employees leave early to watch the Rays, or should we start publishing a list of workplaces that hate baseball? 😂