Rays return to Tropicana Field for a two-team, six-game homestand

June 21st, 2024

The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field on Monday for a two-team, six-game homestand against the Seattle Mariners (June 24-26) and Washington Nationals (June 28-30). The Rays will meet the Mariners for the first of two series this season. This will mark the Rays lone series against the Nationals this year. The Rays 2024 season is presented by Orlando Health.

Monday, June 24 vs. Seattle Mariners

  • First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
  • Color Guard: Presented by Fivay High School Navy JROTC
  • National Anthem: Performed by Ran Musi with ASL by Calen Crowder
  • Rays First Pitch: Thrown by multimedia journalist Jeff Tewksbury of FOX 13, who is retiring after covering Rays and sports in the Tampa Bay market for 36 years.
  • Pregame Presentation: Anheuser-Busch will present Folds of Honor with a check for $5,000. Folds of Honor is a nonprofit organization that helps provide the families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders with educational scholarships.
  • Magic Monday: St. Petersburg Challenger 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.
  • Salute to Service: Military, first responders and teachers are eligible to receive two complimentary tickets to Monday’s game.

Tuesday, June 25 vs. Seattle Mariners

  • First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
  • Color Guard: Presented by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
  • National Anthem: Performed by Simone Sirota Plotnikov with ASL by Kira McClard
  • Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Tuesday’s Champion, Cole
  • Rays First Pitch: Thrown by ABC Action News alum Don Germaise
  • In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, YMCA of the Suncoast and Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA each with a $7,500 grant, totaling $22,500, to continue the work they do in Tampa Bay communities.
  • 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 17-year-old Cole from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As part of Cole’s special day as Tuesday’s Champion, he will meet Rays players and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Cole was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC), an extremely rare genetic disorder. He is a huge Rays fan and was a Plymouth-Canton Little League 5x All-Star left-handed pitcher.

Wednesday, June 26 vs. Seattle Mariners

  • First Pitch: 12:10 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 10:40 a.m.
  • Color Guard: Presented by Polk County Composite Squadron of the Florida Wing, Civil Air Patrol
  • National Anthem: Performed by Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. with ASL by Tess Crowder
  • Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Ricky Lewis, national leader of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically Black college.
  • Rays First Pitch: Thrown by Leisure Services Administrator at the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Charlotte Presensky
  • In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast with a $30,000 grant in support of their work with youth in the community.
  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Ticket Package: Fans can purchase a special Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Ticket Package that includes a limited-edition hat and a seat in the 200 level.

Friday, June 28 vs. Washington Nationals

  • First Pitch: 6:50 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 5:20 p.m.
  • Color Guard: Presented by Howard W. Blake High School Air Force JROTC. Howard W. Blake High School opened in 1956 as a school for African Americans, and officially integrated at the end of segregation. The school is named after Howard Wesley Blake who was an educator and educational activist from Tampa.
  • National Anthem: Performed by Adrienne Clark with ASL by Robin Schwarz
  • ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’: Performed by Adrienne Clark with ASL by Robin Schwarz
  • Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by local youth baseball legend and recipient of The City of St. Petersburg’s Distinguished Citizen Award, Rosevelt “Bubba” Swinton
  • Rays First Pitch: Thrown by State Senator Darryl Rouson
  • In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present the Black Sports Business Academy (BSBA) with a $10,000 donation for the work they do within the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and sports communities.
  • Black Legacy Game: The Rays will celebrate their second annual Black Legacy Game. This year’s date highlights Black excellence while recognizing the impact of baseball on the St. Petersburg community. The Rays aim to bring together prominent community leaders to celebrate the culmination of the city’s rich Black history and the tie it has to baseball in the region.
  • Sold Out Black Legacy Ticket Package: Local artist Zulu Painter created a limited-edition hat for fans who purchased a special Black Legacy Ticket Package. Tickets also include a seat in the Lower Reserved.
  • 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 RaysBaseball.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), 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.

Saturday, June 29 vs. Washington Nationals

  • First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 2:10 p.m.
  • Color Guard: Presented by Englewood Fire Department
  • National Anthem: Performed by Ani Hesse with ASL by Terri Pendleton
  • Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Scott Liam D’Arce
  • Rays First Pitch: Thrown by Peloton instructor and University of Miami alumnus, Andy Speer
  • City Connect: The Rays will sport their Grit x Glow uniforms.
  • 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.
  • Fitness Day Ticket Package: Fans can purchase a special Fitness Day Ticket Package that includes a limited-edition Rays x Andy Speer water bottle and a seat in the lower level. Peloton instructor Andy Speer will also be at Tropicana Field for a meet-and-greet experience included with the purchase of the ticket package.
  • Irish Heritage Ticket Package: Fans can purchase a special Irish Heritage Ticket Package that includes a limited-edition hat and a seat in the 200 level. In celebration of Irish Heritage, the Rays will host local band Paddy O’Furniture along with dancing performed by St. Pete Irish Dance. In addition, fans can find a variety of discounted Irish classics, $5 Guinness (Ballpark & Rec and Grab N’ Go nearest to Section 126) and a Heritage Milkshake available at “Epic Milkshakes” (by Gate 5 and Section 107).
  • Rays Invasion Ticket Package: Fans can purchase a special Rays Invasion Ticket Package that includes a limited-edition hat and a seat in the lower level. A specialty Pirate Daiquiri will be available for purchase at the Daiquiri Deck bar (by Section 128).

Sunday, June 30 vs. Washington Nationals

  • First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 11:40 p.m.
  • Color Guard: Presented by Largo Police Honor Guard
  • National Anthem: Performed by Marianne Cooper with ASL by Hailey Riggs
  • Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by University of South Florida head football coach, Alex Golesh
  • Rays First Pitch: Thrown by a representative from Bally Sports Sun
  • Promotion: Yandy Díaz Bobblehead presented by Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital to the first 12,000 fans
  • Dog Day Ticket Package: Fans can purchase a special Dog Day Ticket Package that includes a Dog Day-themed gift and a seat in the MaintenX Party Deck. Each ticket is good for one adult owner and one dog.
  • Salute to Service: Military, first responders and teachers are eligible to receive 40 percent off tickets to Sunday’s game.
  • For the Kids: On Sundays, kids can line up by the first-base line from 12-12:30 p.m. for Rays player autographs. Also, the Kids Take the Field program gives a select group of kids the opportunity to be on the field next to their favorite Rays player for the National Anthem. After the game, kids can run the bases. Follow instructions on the video board to find out where to line up to enter the field.
  • Nintendo Event: Rays pitcher Zach Eflin will host 15 children from the Children’s Dream Fund for a postgame Mario Kart tournament. Additional Rays players participating are Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe and Colin Poche. The Children’s Dream Fund makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses living throughout West Central Florida. All dream children will take home their own Nintendo Switch.

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.
  • 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.
  • All-Star Balloting Now Open: Send the Rays to Arlington, Texas! The 2024 MLB All-Star Ballot, presented by BuildSubmarines.com is now open. You can vote up to five times every day for Rays players. The top two players at each position will advance to a final ballot to determine the All-Star game starters. Fans can vote for the Rays with QR codes around Tropicana Field throughout the homestand. Vote for the Rays today at RaysBaseball.com/Vote. The 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be live on FOX on July 16.
  • 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 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.
  • 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 here.
  • 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.
  • 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: 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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 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).
  • 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.