Rays return to Tropicana Field for a three-team, nine-game homestand

The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field on Friday for a three-team, nine-game homestand against the New York Mets (May 3-5), Chicago White Sox (May 6-8) and New York Yankees (May 10-12). The Rays will debut their new Grit X Glow Nike MLB City Connect uniforms for all three games of the Mets series in addition to wearing them on May 11 vs. the Yankees. The Rays 2024 season is presented by Orlando Health.

Friday, May 3 vs. New York Mets

• First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Petersburg Fire Honor Guard
• National Anthem: Performed by Shevonne Philidor with ASL by Tess Crowder
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Kris Markovich, accomplished professional skateboarder and artist
• City Connect: Nike MLB City Connect uniforms feature different colors, fonts and graphics than a team’s home and away uniforms, and seek to celebrate the history and culture of each participating team’s home. This is the fourth season of the City Connect program, and the Rays are among the last group of eight teams to debut their uniforms this year. The Rays will wear their City Connect jerseys to pay tribute to Tampa Bay’s counterculture scenes in skate, street art, streetwear, tattoo and music.
• Randy Land: For every Friday home game, fans can purchase tickets for Randy Land in sections 141 or 143. Tickets include a Randy Arozarena T-shirt. Additionally, if Arozarena hits a home run during the game, fans in Randy Land receive a free Viva Tequila Seltzer, soda or water. To purchase tickets in Randy Land, go to com/ RandyLand.
• 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).
• Ticket Special: Tickets are available starting at $10.

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Saturday, May 4 vs. New York Mets

• First Pitch: 7:15 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:15 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Boca Ciega High School JROTC
• National Anthem: Performed by Monique McCall with ASL by Nicole Washington
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by John Vitale, a prolific muralist based in St. Petersburg, FL. He recently completed a Rays City Connect-themed mural on 5th Avenue North and 31st Street in St. Petersburg.
• City Connect: The Rays will sport their Grit X Glow uniforms.
• 50/50 Charity Raffle Guarantee: $50,000 is the guaranteed minimum jackpot for Saturday, May 4th. Fans can watch the Rays from home or at Tropicana Field and win big starting at 10:00 a.m. the day of the game. 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 for $100). 50/50 tickets can be obtained at Gate 5, Gate 3, Budweiser, online via Rays5050.com or with one of our roaming ambassadors.

Sunday, May 5 vs. New York Mets

• First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Venice Middle School Young Marines
• National Anthem: Performed by Jennifer Barican with ASL by Hailey Riggs
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Alaina Gibson, great granddaughter of Perry Harvey Sr. An inspiration for the Rays City Connect jerseys, the Perry Harvey Sr. Park Skateboard Bowl, more commonly known as the Bro Bowl, was one of the first publicly-funded skateparks in the US, built in 1978 in downtown Tampa.
• City Connect: The Rays will be sporting their Grit X Glow uniforms.
• Pregame Presentation: Youth Baseball & Softball Day pregame parade of all youth Baseball and Softball Leagues in attendance for Sunday’s game.
• Promotion: Randy Arozarena Luchador Mask presented by Orlando Health. Available to the first 5,000 fans, age 14 and under.
• Kids Run the Bases: Presented by RIPA & Associates. After every Sunday home game, your kids or grandkids are welcome to circle the bases on the field. Simply follow the instructions on the video board to find out where to line up to enter the field at the end of the game.
• Sunday’s Autographs for Kids: Kids are welcome to line up on the first base line from 12-12:30 p.m. to get autographs from select Rays players.

Monday, May 6 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Petersburg Police Department
• National Anthem: Performed by Warrior Voices with ASL by Calen Crowder
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by local first responders: St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Firefighter Paramedic Sean Kilgannon, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Firefighter EMT Zachary Dinan and St. Petersburg Police Detective Thomas McQueen
• Rays First Pitch: In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Decetive Sergeant Crystal Schofield with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Threat Management Unit will throw out the Rays first pitch on behalf of SPCA Tampa Bay. Sergeant Schofield is an advocate for law enforcement officer mental health and has adopted two cats from SPCA Tampa Bay through the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association “COPS Adopt” Program.
• 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 Rays players on the field for batting practice and serve as honorary coaches during the singing of the National Anthem.
• Ticket Specials: Salute to Service - Military, First Responders and Teachers are eligible to receive two complimentary tickets to Monday’s game.

Tuesday, May 7 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Pinellas Park High School JROTC
• National Anthem: Performed by Francesca Taratino with ASL by Thia Sandefur
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Tuesday’s Champion, Sterling
• Tuesday’s Champion: The Rays will host 15-year-old Sterling from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As part of Sterling’s special day as a Tuesday’s Champion, he will meet Rays players and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Sterling was diagnosed with compounded heart malformations.
• FSS Adoption Celebration: In partnership with Family Support Services, the Rays will be hosting 14 families who finalized their children’s adoptions earlier in the day. Families will attend batting practice. Family Support Services will have a table at Community Corner (section 106/108) to share information and resources.

Wednesday, May 8 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Civil Air Patrol - Brandon Cadet Squadron
• National Anthem: Performed by Randell Rolle with ASL by Terri Pendleton
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres on behalf of Positive Coaching Alliance – Tampa Bay
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays will recognize the 2024 class of Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship Award winners. Positive Coaching Alliance-Tampa Bay awards the 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. To date, PCA - Tampa Bay has awarded over $455,500 in scholarships to local high school athletes.
• Ticket Special: All fans who check-in or scan a digital ticket on the MLB Ballpark app will receive a free scoop of chicken salad courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick. Show your confirmation email or Ballpark App notification confirming you checked-in to the game at the third base food hall Chicken Salad Chick location to claim this offer.

Friday, May 10 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Freedom High School NJROTC
• National Anthem: Performed by Regina Tucker with ASL by Thia Sandefur
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Steve Bonner, President of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa
• Pre-Game Presentation: First baseman Yandy Díaz will receive his 2023 Silver Slugger award. Díaz finished the 2023 season with a .330 batting average, 173 hits and 22 home runs, all career-highs. In his breakout season, Díaz earned his first All-Star selection and became the first player in franchise history to win an American League batting title.
• Rays First Pitch: Thrown by Bryan Lanzilotta, Publix Regional Director
• Randy Land: For every Friday home game, fans can purchase tickets for Randy Land in sections 141 or 143. Tickets include a Randy Arozarena T-shirt. Additionally, if Arozarena hits a home run during the game, fans in Randy Land receive a free Viva Tequila Seltzer, soda or water. To purchase tickets in Randy Land, go to com/ RandyLand.
• 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), at all Friday Devil Rays Days.

Saturday, May 11 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 2:10 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Central High School NJROTC
• National Anthem: Performed by Shevonne Philidor with ASL by Terri Pendleton
• 5**0/50 Charity Raffle Guarantee**: $50,000 is the guaranteed minimum jackpot once again for Saturday, May 11th. Fans can watch the Rays from home or at Tropicana Field and win big starting at 10:00 a.m. the day of the game. 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 for $100). 50/50 tickets can be obtained at Gate 5, Gate 3, Budweiser, online via Rays5050.com or with one of our roaming ambassadors.
• City Connect: The Rays will showcase their City Connect jerseys to pay tribute to Tampa Bay’s counterculture scenes in skate, street art, streetwear, tattoo and music.

Sunday, May 12 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Amanda Breivogel with ASL by Thia Sandefur
• Pregame Presentation: Youth Baseball & Softball Day pregame parade of all youth Baseball and Softball Leagues in attendance for Sunday’s game.
• Kids Take the Field: On Sunday home games, the Kids Take the Field program gives kids the opportunity to run onto the field and stand alongside their favorite Rays players for the National Anthem.
• Promotion: Friendship Bracelet Kit presented by Bally Sports. Available to the first 5,000 fans age 14 and under.
• Kids Run the Bases: Presented by RIPA & Associates. After every Sunday home game, your kids or grandkids are encouraged to circle the bases on the field. Simply follow the instructions on the video board to find out where to line up to enter the field at the end of the game.
• Sunday’s Autographs for Kids: Kids are welcome to line up on the first base line from 12-12:30 p.m. to get autographs from select Rays players.

Additional Homestand Notes:

• The Rays three-game series versus the Yankees (May 10-12) is presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa.

• City Connect Flex Pack: Fans can customize a City Connect Flex Pack to catch three, four or five games when the team will wear their Grit x Glow uniforms. Packs start at $76. Additional details are available at com/CCPack.

• Bat Around: 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.

• 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.

• Papa John’s Rays 6 Promotion: If the Rays score six runs or more in either home or away games (win or lose), fans can receive 50 percent off their online pizza order the next day at com or through the Papa John’s app.

• 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.

• Budweiser Hit the Buds: If a Rays player hits a home run in the designated area at the Budweiser Porch, fans will receive BOGO Budweiser and Bud Light at the Budweiser Porch the following Rays game before first pitch.

• Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Program: Pledge to be a designated driver in the Ballpark app and abstain from alcohol. 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.

• $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 are available.

• 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.

• 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.

• The Rays Touch Experience: The first of its kind at a professional sports venue, The 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 until the top of the ninth inning, and the tank closes at the top of each hour for 10 minutes. (the tank will close at the top of each hour for 10 minutes to give the rays a touch break).

• 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 for $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.

• Prepaid Parking: To expedite entry into parking lots, fans are encouraged to prepay for parking. Prices vary by game date and parking lot. See com/parking. Lots open three hours prior to first pitch.

• 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, com/RaysRookies.

• Ballpark Pass: For $49 a month or $249 for the year, fans can gain standing-room only (SRO) access to every regular- season home game. Pass holders can reserve up to three games at a time. Guest passes and seat upgrades will be available at an additional cost. Tickets are non-transferable and barcodes will be available four hours prior to first pitch.

• MLB Ballpark App: Mobile ordering, seat upgrades, gameday experiences, digital tickets, parking passes, closed- captioning, gaming activations and more are all available within the 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.

• Mascot Race: New for the 2024 season, 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.

• Nursing Room: The Nursing Room is a private room for child caretaking behind home plate near the First Aid station.

• Sensory Room: 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 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.

• 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.