August 29th, 2024
The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field on Friday for a two-team, seven-game homestand against the San Diego Padres (August 30-September 1) and Minnesota Twins (September 2-5). This will be the Rays only series against San Diego, followed by the second and final series against Minnesota this year. The Rays 2024 season is presented by Orlando Health.
Friday, August 30 vs. San Diego Padres
- First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
- Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by Strawberry Crest High School JROTC
- National Anthem: Performed by VOIXX with ASL by Alivia Eben
- Rays First Pitch: Thrown by musical artist, mike.
- Rays First Pitch: Thrown by Budweiser representative, Tiffany Borrego
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by two-time Team USA Olympic swimmer, four-time Olympic medalist and Clearwater native, Bobby Finke
- Devil Rays Day: The Rays will sport their Devil Rays throwback uniforms.
- Salute to Service: Military, first responders and teachers are eligible to receive 50 percent off tickets for Friday’s game. For more information or to sign up to receive these offers, please visit www.raysbaseball.com/salute.
- Concessions and Merchandise Specials: 90s-themed snacks and beverages are available at the Viva Tequila Seltzer Grab N’ Go (behind center field) and at the Bird & Batter Express location (in right field), on all Friday Devil Rays Days.
- Postgame Happy Hour: Following a Rays win on Friday and Saturday home games, fans can enjoy discounted beverages at Lower Ballpark & Rec after the game.
- Mystery Balls for BabyQuest Foundation: Rays infielder Brandon Lowe, and his wife, Madison, will host a mystery ball sale benefiting the BabyQuest Foundation. The mystery baseballs will be autographed by current Rays players and will be sold for $50 inside Gate 1 and Gate 3 from 5:20 p.m. until 6:50 p.m., while supplies last. BabyQuest Foundation provides financial assistance through fertility grants to those who cannot afford the high costs of procedures.
Saturday, August 31 vs. San Diego Padres
- First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
- Gates Open: 2:10 p.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by Lennard High School JROTC
- National Anthem: Performed by Amanda Breivogel with ASL by Hailey Riggs
- Pregame Presentation: As part of the federal courts’ annual celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda Sansone will administer the Oath of Allegiance to 42 new United States citizens.
- Rays First Pitch: Thrown by local personality and guitarist of Hatebreed, Florida Frank
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by presider of the pregame Naturalization Ceremony, Magistrate Judge Amanda Sansone
- Nike City Connect: The Rays will sport their Grit x Glow uniforms.
- In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present CASA with a $15,000 grant. CASA is the official provider of domestic violence support in Pinellas County.
- Harry Potter Ticket Package: Fans can purchase a special Harry Potter Ticket Package for Saturday’s game that includes a limited-edition stein and a seat in the Lower Reserved.
- Lowe’s Legends: Rays infielder Brandon Lowe, and his wife, Madison, will host players and coaches from Clearwater Little League for a pregame meet and greet during batting practice, as part of their Lowe’s Legends program, created to provide special experiences and inspiration for underrepresented youth baseball and softball players.
Sunday, September 1 vs. San Diego Padres
- First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
- Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by St. Petersburg Police Department Honor Guard
- National Anthem: Performed by Maxine Reyes with ASL by Danielle Roberson
- Pregame Presentation: Devil Rays legend Fred McGriff will be inducted into the Rays Hall of Fame.
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Fred McGriff
- Promotion: Fred McGriff Bobblehead, presented by DEX Imaging, to the first 12,000 fans
- Salute to Service: Military, first responders and teachers are eligible to receive 50 percent off tickets for Sunday’s game. For more information or to sign up to receive these offers, please visit www.raysbaseball.com/salute.
- FitLife Partnership: All fans who manually check-in or scan a digital ticket via the MLB Ballpark app will receive an email and Ballpark app inbox message for $100 off their first FitLife Foods order of five (5) or more weekly home deliveries using promo code RAYSUP100.
- For the Kids: On Sundays, there’s even more fun for the kids! Kids can line up by the first-base line from 12-12:30 p.m. for Rays player autographs. A select group of children will have the opportunity to go on the field and stand next to their favorite Rays player during the National Anthem. After the game, all kids can run the bases. Follow instructions on the video board to find out where to line up to enter the field.
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Day: The Rays will recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on Sunday. In partnership with Major League Baseball and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the Rays donated Starlight Nintendo Switch Gaming Handhelds to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. A video of the donation will be highlighted during the game and on social media. Additionally, 10-year-old Gabria Marx will kick off the game by announcing “Play Ball.” Gabria, affiliated with the Children’s Dream Fund, former Tuesday’s Champion and Rays on the Runway participant, is a medulloblastoma survivor, who will be celebrating her 10th birthday on September 1.
Monday, September 2 vs. Minnesota Twins
- First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
- Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by Crystal River High School Navy JROTC
- National Anthem: Performed by Ani Hesse with ASL by Kama Clippard
- Rays First Pitch: Thrown by local real estate agent, Jim Blackmon
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by WDAE radio personality, Jay Recher
- Magic Monday: Buddy Baseball, a local baseball league for individuals with unique abilities, will join Rays players on the field for batting practice and serve as honorary coaches during the singing of the National Anthem.
- In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation department with a $10,000 grant in support of swim safety programs.
Tuesday, September 3 vs. Minnesota Twins
- First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
- Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by Manatee County Emergency Services Honor Guard
- National Anthem: Performed by The Newsome Elite Choir with ASL by Hailey Riggs
- Rays First Pitch: Thrown by CEO of Live Tampa Bay, Jennifer Webb
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Tuesday’s Champion, James
- Salute to Service: Military, first responders and teachers are eligible to receive two complimentary tickets in the Lower Reserved for Tuesday’s game. For more information or to sign up to receive these offers, please visit www.raysbaseball.com/salute.
- Tuesday’s Champion: Before every Tuesday home game, the Rays recognize a child from the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children’s Dream Fund as part of the Tuesday’s Champion program, presented by RIPA & Associates. The Rays will host two Tuesday’s Champions from the Make-A-Wish Foundation: 14-year-old James and 11-year-old Anna. James and Anna are siblings, who both suffer from Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. James loves baseball and will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Anna loves dance and will serve as the honorary bat kid.
Wednesday, September 4 vs. Minnesota Twins
- First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
- Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by Walter L. Sickles High School Air Force JROTC
- National Anthem: Performed by Whitney Doucet with ASL by Tess Crowder
- Rays First Pitch: Thrown by Rays Rewards winner, Red Pope
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Jason Butts
- In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present St. Petersburg College Foundation with a $5,000 scholarship in support of first-generation scholars.
- St. Petersburg College Ticket Package: Fans can purchase a special St. Petersburg College Ticket Package for Wednesday’s game that includes a limited-edition hat and a seat in the Lower Box.
Thursday, September 5 vs. Minnesota Twins
- First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
- Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by Dunedin High School JROTC
- National Anthem: Performed by Kristopher James with ASL by Nancy Russell
- Rays First Pitch: Thrown by Little Greek Fresh Grill representative, Tom Silver
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Senior Prom for Senior Citizens King & Queen from SummerGlen Country Club
- In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Pasco Education Foundation with $15,000 in scholarships in support of Take Stock in Children.
Additional Homestand Notes:
- $10 Tickets: Available for every Rays regular season home game. $10 Tickets are non-transferable, and barcodes will be available two hours prior to first pitch. A maximum of six tickets per game, per household is available. All $10 tickets are based on availability for all Rays home games.
- 50/50 Charity Raffle: Support our community from Tropicana Field or at home while watching the game. As an early-bird special, fans receive two times the number of tickets for donations made before first pitch. For example, prior to first pitch fans can get 10 tickets for $10, 40 tickets for $20, 400 tickets for $50 and 998 tickets for $100. After first pitch, donation levels return to their standard amounts (5/$10, 20/$20, 200/$50, & 500/$100). 50/50 tickets can be obtained at Gate 3, Gate 5, the Budweiser Porch, online via Rays5050.com or with one of our roaming ambassadors.
- Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Program: Pledge to be a designated driver by abstaining from alcohol in the MLB Ballpark app. Show your confirmation email to a representative at Guest Services Gate 1 or 3. Each fan who pledges will receive a small cup good for a soda or water at Coca-Cola Refresh Stations. One winner each game will receive a Rays hat.
- Closed Captioning: New for the 2024 season, a closed-captioning feed is available for all Rays home games in the Ballpark app. Fans can simply select the “Closed Captioning” icon from the Helpful Links section on the Rays team page to see a captioning feed throughout the game.
- Culver’s Curds in the Third: If the Rays score a run in the third inning, fans score free Culver’s Wisconsin Cheese Curds. Offer is only valid the day after the game with an online purchase using the code CURDRUN.
- Every Hit is a Win: For every Rays hit, Suncoast Credit Union will donate $90 to a nonprofit in the community in honor of their 90th anniversary. Fans can vote on the nonprofit and keep track by clicking the link: https://www.suncoast.com/Promo/Every-Hit-is-a-Win.
- Experiences: Located at Gate 6, fans will notice Bat Around, a new addition this season. The game is fit for all ability levels and brings fun and competition in a new arcade-style batting cage. This new experience will allow fans to test their skills during their visit to Tropicana Field. The Rays are the first team in MLB with Bat Around.
- Go-Ahead Entry: This homestand marks the launch of MLB Go-Ahead Entry at Tropicana Field, the optional, hands-free ballpark entry experience. Fans 18 and older can voluntarily opt-in for MLB Go-Ahead Entry in the MLB Ballpark app. Go-Ahead Entry uses facial authentication technology to identify an enrolled fan and allow ticket holders to enter the ballpark at dedicated gates at full walking speed without stopping. Participating fans will capture an image of their face on the app that is converted into a unique alphanumeric code, known as a token. The image will then be deleted. The token is stored by MLB’s facial authentication partner and is associated with the fan’s account. Fans can also opt-out of Go-Ahead Entry at any time. Go-Ahead Entry lanes are available at Gate 1, 5, 6, and Ballpark & Rec (Gate 7). For more information on MLB Go-Ahead Entry at Tropicana Field, please visit RaysBaseball.com/GoAheadEntry.
- Kane’s Furniture 10K Promotion: If Rays pitchers strike out 10 batters during a home game, take your mobile ticket located in the Ballpark app or a print-at-home voucher to any Kane’s Furniture store within five days and receive a coupon for one Free Taco & Chips at participating area Tijuana Flats locations. Restrictions apply. For more information, visit KanesStrikeout.com.
- Mascot Race: Fans can guess the winner of the Mascot Race exclusively via the Ballpark app by selecting the “Mascot Race” tile on the Rays team page.
- MLB Ballpark App: Mobile ordering, seat upgrades, gameday experiences, digital tickets, parking passes, closed-captioning, gaming activations and more are all available within the Ballpark app. Discounts at retail, the ShortStop and Grab & Go can be accessed simply by tapping the “ShortStop Pay,” “Retail Pay” and “Grab & Go Pay” icons on the Rays team page.
- Mobile Ordering: Convenient mobile ordering is available for every game through the Rays team page within the Ballpark app. Click on the “Order Food + Drinks” tile to be directed to a page with all available pickup locations and dietary specific offerings.
- Papa John’s Rays 6 Promotion: If the Rays score six or more runs in either home or away games (win or lose), fans can receive 50 percent off their online pizza order the next day at PapaJohns.com or through the Papa John’s app.
- Prepaid Parking: To expedite entry into parking lots, fans are encouraged to prepay for parking. Prices vary by game date and parking lot. See RaysBaseball.com/Parking. Lots open three hours prior to first pitch.
- ProWire: New since July, fans can select the “Rays Radio” icon in the Ballpark app while at Tropicana Field to utilize ProWire, a service that offers a live audio feed of Home Radio, Spanish Radio or public address options.
- Rays Rookies Kids Club: The Rays Rookies Kids Club presented by Suncoast Credit Union is back for the 2024 season. For $40, MVP members receive a free kid’s meal at every game, 50 percent off tickets for select home games, free admission to The Florida Aquarium, a duffel bag, a snapback hat and a Rays Rookies sticker set. All-Star memberships are available for free. For more information visit RaysBaseball.com/RaysRookies.
- Rays Touch Experience: The first of its kind at a professional sports venue, Rays Touch Experience is a 35-foot, 10,000-gallon exhibit located just beyond the right-center field fence at Tropicana Field. This unique and educational fan experience has been created through a partnership with The Florida Aquarium. The beautiful cownose stingrays are the same species that live in the waters of Tampa Bay and are cared for by the Florida Aquarium staff. A complete wellness program including a healthy diet, routine medical exams and behavioral observation is provided for the rays. Fans can visit when gates open to the top of the ninth inning (the tank will close at the top of each hour for 10 minutes to give the rays a touch break).
- Specialty Rooms: The Nursing Room is a private room for child caretaking behind home plate near the First Aid station. The Sensory Room is a safe space for anyone with sensory processing needs in Suite 45. It was designed in collaboration with the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD).
- Upgrade Your Experience: Seat upgrades and gameday experiences are available for purchase for every game via the MLB Ballpark app. Fans can select the “Upgrade Your Experience” tile on the Rays team page to see available upgrades. Availability and pricing will vary by game. Experiences include The Baldwin Group Club access, Rays Radio Booth visits, Raymond Meet & Greets and Batting Practice passes. Additional experiences may be added throughout the season.
