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 Chicago White Sox (April 21-23) and Houston Astros (April 24-26). The 2023 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health.

Friday, April 21 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 4:40 p.m.
• Jackie Robinson Day: The Rays will commemorate the 76th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier in 1947. The Rays will also recognize their 2023 Racial Equity Grant recipients with an in-game check presentation: Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg College Foundation, University Area Community Development Corporation Inc., United Negro College Fund and United Way Suncoast-Campbell Park Resource Center. The Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund created the Racial Equity Grant Fund to build power within communities that have been historically overlooked and purposefully disadvantaged due to systemic racism. In addition, the Rays will host students from The Write Field Program, a writing and mentoring program for young African American and Hispanic men from middle and high schools in Pinellas County. The students will have the opportunity to interview Bally Sports Sun analyst and Rays alumnus Denard Span prior to the game as well as St. Petersburg native and film producer Will Packer.
• Kids Take the Field: In partnership with Nike, nine players from Rays Nike RBI Tampa and North Seminole Little League will be recognized for exemplifying the nine core values of Jackie Robinson and will join Rays players on the field for the National Anthem.
• Promotion: Belt Bag presented by FDOT. Available to all fans while supplies last.
• Color Guard: Presented by Woods and Wonton Buffalo Soldiers
• National Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing (Black National Anthem) will be performed by Aja Frazier. The Star-Spangled Banner will be performed by Dr. Alex Harris.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by American film producer Will Packer, founder of Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, and Mordecai Walker, the oldest living resident of the historic Gas Plant District.

Saturday, April 22 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch:  4:05 p.m.
• Gates Open: 2:05 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by *King High School Navy JROTC *
• National Anthem: Performed by *Hope Storter *
• Pre-Game Presentation: The Tampa Bay Rays will honor the life of long-time radio announcer, Dave Wills, who served as the team’s announcer for the past 18 years. Wills passed away on March 5, 2023, at the age of 58. He will be recognized by the Rays and White Sox, where Wills worked for nearly a decade. Rays players will also wear a specially designed memorial patch on batting helmets throughout the season. A scholarship is also being established in honor of Wills.
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present the Hillsborough Education Foundation with a $50,000 grant in support of Take Stock In Children scholarships.

Sunday, April 23 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
• Promotion: Brandon Lowe Dog Tags presented by Sobe Promos. Available to all fans 14 & under while supplies last.
• Color Guard: Presented by *Venice Middle Young Marines *
• National Anthem: Performed by *Katie Lombardo *
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Lieutenant General Jody Daniels, U.S. Army Reserve Command
• Pre-Game Presentation: U.S. Army Reserve Enlistment Ceremony

Monday, April 24 vs. Houston Astros

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by *Pinellas Park Fire Department *
• National Anthem: Performed by *American Stage Theatre Company *
• Magic Monday: Buddy Baseball, a non-competitive recreational league serving the Tampa Bay community for boys and girls ages 8 to 22 with unique abilities will join the Rays players on the field for batting practice and the National Anthem.

Tuesday, April 25 vs. Houston Astros

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by *Northeast High School JROTC *
• National Anthem: Performed by *Adrienne Clark *
• 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 Gabriel Crisp from the Children’s Dream Fund. As part of his special day as a Tuesday’s Champion, Gabriel will meet Rays players and coaches during batting practice and throw a ceremonial first pitch.
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund will announce its donation of $150,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay in support of their capital campaign. Fans are encouraged to double the impact by donating at https://rayscapitalmatch.funraise.org/

Wednesday, April 26 vs. Houston Astros

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by *Dunedin High School JROTC *
• National Anthem: Performed by *Melanie Simpson *

Additional Homestand Notes

• Salute to Service: As a part of Salute to Service presented by Jabil, all military and first responders are eligible to receive complimentary tickets to the game on Wednesday, April 26 against the Houston Astros and 50-percent off tickets to the games Friday, April 21 – Sunday, April 23 against the Chicago White Sox. Affiliation will be verified by ID.me, a third-party MLB approved verification service.
• 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 rays5050.com 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 or $249 for the season, 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.