Rays face Orioles and Athletics in first homestand
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Tampa Bay Rays welcome fans back to Tropicana Field on Friday, April 8 for a season-opening two-team, seven-game homestand against the Baltimore Orioles (April 8-10) and Oakland Athletics (April 11-14). The 2022 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Friday, April 8 vs. Baltimore Orioles
· First Pitch: 3:10 p.m.
· Gates Open: 1:10 p.m.
· Banner Unveiled: The 2021 American League East Champions banner will be unveiled during pregame ceremonies. Fans should be in their seat for pregame ceremonies beginning at 2:45 p.m.
· Promotion: Schedule Magnet presented by Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. Available for all fans while supplies last.
· National Anthem: Will be performed in-person by BK Jackson, a saxophonist and Tampa native.
· Ceremonial First Pitch: Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Toni Schuck and her husband, Sergeant Scott Schuck of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. In March, Toni maneuvered her patrol SUV to stop a speeding DUI suspect, who had driven around barricades, from reaching thousands of runners in the Skyway 10K.
Saturday, April 9 vs. Baltimore Orioles
· First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
· Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
· Pregame Presentation: Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena will be presented with his Baseball Writers’ Association of America AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award.
· National Anthem: Will be performed in-person by Karinna Lanee.
Sunday, April 10 vs. Baltimore Orioles
· First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
· Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
· Promotion: Pop It presented by Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. Available for fans 14 and under while supplies last.
· National Anthem: Will be performed in-person by Jennifer Barrican.
· For the Kids: Sundays are Family Fun Days. Every Sunday home game will feature family fun performers, including face painters and balloon artists. In addition, a youth baseball and softball pregame parade around the warning track will be offered for kids 14 years and under. This season also marks the return of Kids Run the Bases following the conclusion of the game.
Monday, April 11 vs. Oakland Athletics
· First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
· Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
· National Anthem: Will be performed in-person by USF Phi Mu Alpha Choir.
· Salute to Service: Active-duty and retired military members, as well as First Responders, can receive two (2) complimentary tickets. This offer expires the night before the game at midnight. To take advantage of the offer, please visit RaysBaseball.com/Military or RaysBaseball.com/FirstResponders and click the “Get Verified” button to be verified through ID.me and receive a coupon code.
Tuesday, April 12 vs. Oakland Athletics
· First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
· Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
· National Anthem: Will be performed in-person by Taty Arroyo, Marta Myada and Javisha Strong.
· 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 a part of the “Tuesday’s Champion” program, presented by RIPA & Associates. The Rays will recognize 9-year-old Chloe Grimes from the Children’s Dream Fund with a ceremonial first pitch.
Wednesday, April 13 vs. Oakland Athletics
· First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
· Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
· National Anthem: Will be performed in-person by Stephanie Slagle.
Thursday, April 14 vs. Oakland Athletics
· First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
· Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
· National Anthem: Will be performed in-person by Katie Ducharme.
Additional Homestand Notes
· Papa John’s Rays 6 Promotion: When the Rays score six or more runs in both home and away games, fans can receive 50 percent off pizzas on their online order the next day at PapaJohns.com or the Papa John’s Official app.
· Kane’s Furniture 10K Promotion: If Rays pitchers strike out 10 batters during a home game, take your mobile ticket located in the MLB 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 and medium fountain drink at participating area Tijuana Flats locations. Restrictions apply. For more information, visit KanesStrikeout.com.
· Lowe’s Home Runs for Hope: For every home run Rays infielder Brandon Lowe hits, he and his wife, Madison, will donate $100 to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The Rays Baseball Foundation will also contribute $100 per home run in support of Lowe’s “Home Runs for Hope” campaign. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay provides a range of services to ensure that no one in the community has to face a crisis alone. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as the community gateway to help. People who are struggling with a variety of crisis situations including sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts and other emotional or situational problems can connect to hope and healing.
· Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Program: Pledge to be a designated driver by abstaining from alcohol and signing up via the MLB Ballpark app. Provide your contact information, follow the confirmation link in your inbox and show at Gate 3 Guest Services. Each fan who signs up will receive a small cup good for soda or water at Coca-Cola Refresh Stations. One winner each game will also receive a Rays hat.
· 50/50 Charity Raffle: For all home games, fans can obtain 50/50 charity raffle tickets at Tropicana Field and online at RaysBaseball.com/5050. Online raffle tickets are open to all persons who are in the State of Florida (excluding Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties) and 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Proceeds from the 50/50 charity raffle benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and the official charity of the Rays.
· Rays Rookies Kids Club: The Rays Rookies Kids Club is back for the 2022 season. For $30, members receive exclusive items, including a backpack, snapback hat and baseball seam bracelet. Members receive 50 percent off tickets to select home games. Plus, access to exclusive events and experiences at Tropicana Field, including priority access to Kids Run the Bases. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit RaysBaseball.com/RaysRookies.
Know Before You Go Information
· No backpacks, coolers or bags larger than 16" x 8" are permitted, with the exception of medical or diaper bags.
· Mobile tickets are accessed by fans on the MLB Ballpark app, which can be downloaded for free on the App Store or Google Play. Paper tickets and print-at-home tickets are not available or accepted.
· Tropicana Field remains cash-free. Mobile payments, Rays Pay via the MLB Ballpark app, and credit and debit cards are accepted for all concessions and merchandise purchases. Fans are encouraged to also use the MLB Ballpark app to mobile order food and drink, upgrade their seats, view a map of the ballpark and more.
· Gates, 1, 4, 5 and 6 open 90 minutes before first pitch for home games during the regular season and two hours before first pitch on Opening Day. Gate 4 is open to suite holders, Rays Club and DEX Imaging Home Plate Club ticket holders. All gates are wheelchair accessible.
· Ballpark & Rec opens two hours before first pitch for home games during the regular season and three hours before first pitch on Opening Day.
· In order to expedite entry into the parking lots, fans are encouraged to prepay for parking. As an incentive, prepaid parking is discounted. Purchase prepaid parking at RaysBaseball.com/Parking. Season Members can receive 50 percent off parking when purchased in advance through their online account.
· All parking lots at Tropicana Field open three hours before first pitch for home games during the regular season and four hours before first pitch on Opening Day.
· Outside food or beverage is not permitted, with the exception of one sealed, personal-sized bottle of water.
· Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Tropicana Field property.
· Health and safety measures are in place at Tropicana Field. Visit RaysBaseball.com/HealthandSafety for details.