Rays open two-team, 6-game homestand
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field tomorrow for a two-team, six-game homestand between the Pittsburgh Pirates (May 2-4) and New York Yankees (May 5-7). The 2023 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health.
*Tuesday, May 2 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates *
- First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
- Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by Tampa Bay Technical High School NJROTC
- National Anthem: Performed by Alicia Black
- 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 host sixteen-year-old Alex Hoblit from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As part of his special day as a Tuesday’s Champion, Alex will meet Rays players and coaches during batting practice and throw a ceremonial first pitch. Alex loves playing sports and his favorite Rays player is Brandon Lowe. He hopes to visit California.
*Wednesday, May 3 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates *
- First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
- Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
- Color Guard: Presented by J.W. Mitchell High School JROTC
- National Anthem: Performed by Aubrey Wollett
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Kevin K. Hendrick and Carlos & Toni Ramirez
- In-Game Presentation: Positive Coaching Alliance- The Rays will recognize the Class of 2023 Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship Award winners. PCA-Tampa Bay awards Triple-Impact Competitor scholarships to high school student-athletes who demonstrate the leadership, character, sportsmanship and discipline required to: make themselves better, make their teammates better, and make the game better.
*Thursday, May 4 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates *
First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
National Anthem: Performed by Karina Lanee
*Friday, May 5 vs. New York Yankees *
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
Gates Open: 4:40 p.m.
Color Guard: Presented by Central High School JROTC
National Anthem: Performed by Regina Tucker
Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Helen Kahan, Auschwitz survivor.
In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present the Florida Holocaust Museum with a $10,000 partnership grant.
*Saturday, May 6 vs. New York Yankees *
First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
Gates Open: 2:10 p.m.
Promotion: Marvel Super Hero Day- Marvel Super Hero Custom Poster. Available to all fans while supplies last.
Color Guard: Presented by Belleview High School Air Force JROTC
National Anthem: Performed by Jacqueline Biance
Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Omar Gonzalez
50/50 Charity Raffle: $50,000 is the guaranteed minimum jackpot for the Rays Baseball Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle. Fans can enter the raffle in the stadium or online at RaysBaseball.com/5050 starting the morning of the game. The winner will receive at least $25,000 with the potential to win much more. Fans who enter before first pitch receive two-for-one entries. Proceeds from the 50/50 charity raffle benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and the official charity of the Rays.
*Sunday, May 7 vs. New York Yankees *
First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
Promotion: Devil Rays Socks presented by Duke Energy. Available to all fans 14 & under while supplies last.
Color Guard: Presented by US Naval Sea Cadets- Port Tampa
National Anthem: Performed by Nelly Ford
In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Burg Baseball with a $15,000 partnership grant.
Additional Homestand Notes
- Salute to Service: As a part of Salute to Service presented by Jabil, all military, first responders & teachers are eligible to receive complimentary tickets to the game on Wednesday, May 3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and 50 percent off tickets to the game on Thursday, May 4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Affiliation will be verified by ID.me, a third-party MLB approved verification service.
- The Tampa Bay Rays have announced that they will open a portion of the Tropicana Field upper deck for the three-game series against the New York Yankees, beginning on Friday, May 5. Newly available tickets in the 300 level start at $39.
- Hit The Buds: If a Rays player hits a home run in centerfield by the Budweiser Porch, there will be a trigger for BOGO Budweiser and Bud Lights at the next Rays Home Game.
- Randy Land: For every Friday home game fans can purchase tickets for Randy Land in section 141 for $49. Tickets include a Randy T-shirt. Additionally, if Randy hits a home run during the game, fans in Randy Land receive a free Budweiser, Bud Light, soda or water. To purchase tickets in Randy Land, go to RaysBaseball.com/Randyland.
- Lowe’s Home Runs for Hope: For every home run Rays infielder Brandon Lowe hits, he and his wife, Madison, donate $250 to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The Rays Baseball Foundation also matches $250 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.
- Papa John’s Rays 6 Promotion: When the Rays score six or more runs in a home or away game (win or lose), fans can receive 50 percent off their pizza order using code RAYS6 the next day at PapaJohns.com or the Papa John’s Official app.
- Kane’s Furniture 10K Promotion: When 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.
- 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 1 or 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: This season fans in the state of Florida can play the 50/50 Charity Raffle from home and in-person. Tickets can be obtained online at RaysBaseball.com/5050 and at Tropicana Field during Rays home games. New this year, the 50/50 Charity Raffle will be open during Rays road games. Fans can acquire these tickets online for the first game of each series. Fans who obtain their raffle tickets prior to first pitch will receive twice the number of entries for their donation. 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 2023 season. For $40, MVP members receive a free kids meal at every home game, 50 percent off tickets for select home games, a backpack, a snapback hat and Rays Rookies membership patch. Returning for the 2023 season is the Monthly Pin Series, access to exclusive events and experiences at Tropicana Field and priority access to Kids Run the Bases. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit RaysBaseball.com/RaysRookies.
- $10 Tickets: $10 Tickets are available for every Rays regular season home game. Seats are located within the Rays Party Deck (sections 341-355) or select areas of the Lower Level (sections 127-132 starting with Row PP). $10 Tickets are non-transferable and barcodes will not be available until 2 hours prior to first pitch with a maximum of 6 tickets per game, per household.
- Ballpark Pass: For $49 a month, fans can gain standing-room only (SRO) access to every regular season home game. Pass holders can reserve up to 3 games at a time and new reservations will re-open as soon as a reserved game ends. Guest passes and seat upgrades will be available at an additional cost. Tickets are non-transferable and barcodes will not be available until 3 hours prior to first pitch.
- ShortStop at the Budweiser Porch: New to Tropicana Field this season, the ShortStop at the Budweiser Porch! Simply tap or scan your credit card or Rays Pay Wallet QR Code for entry, pick out your desired items, and exit to experience check-out free shopping. AI technology tracks the items you choose and charges you accordingly.
- In partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, Tropicana Field will have two reverse vending machines that guarantee a closed loop recycling process located in each food hall. For every bottle or can deposited, 5 cents will be donated to the Rays Baseball Foundation.