David Archuleta was walking peacefully, undisturbed, toward his seat in section 105, when a reporter spotted him. He was wearing a blue Rays jersey with his name across the back.
He didn't have many thoughts on the Tampa Bay Rays, saying he hasn't been keeping track of baseball.
"It's fun to be here in Florida," he said, though he added he was only staying in the area one night. He said he was trying to see his grandmother, who lives east of the area.
As the interview went on, more and more fans started gathering, taking pictures with cameras and cell phones. They were mostly female. "Are you freaking out with all this," one woman asked as she pulled him in for a picture with her. "It's a little weird..." he said.
He said he would love to sing at more postseason games. "This has been a lot of fun."
As for his thoughts on Tropicana Field, Archuleta said, "It wasn't hard to sing in, that was really nice." He said other stadiums echo more. "I love orange juice, too."
A lady called out to him, "You were so good! You were so good!"
A man walked away saying, "I like this kid."
Archuleta took pictures with fans, signed autographs, including one for a woman who works in the concession stand, and chatted with some sisters who run www.fansofdavid.com.
A publicist in red pumps finally pulled him away with the help of a tall Rays security guard.
--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer
