Rays open two-team, seven-game homestand

The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field on Monday for a two-team, seven-game homestand between the Boston Red Sox (September 4-6) and Seattle Mariners (September 7-10). The 2023 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health.

Monday, September 4 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 2:40 p.m.
• Color Guard: Presented by Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Cadet Unit #900
• 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.
• Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life: Fans are in for an unforgettable experience as the cast of Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney takes the field to kick off the event with a gravity-defying first pitch, deliver a mesmerizing rendition of the national anthem, and generously gift a lucky row with exclusive tickets, promising an evening filled with both sporting and artistic thrills. For more information about this spectacular show, visit cirquedusoleil.com/usa/orlando/shows.

Tuesday, September 5 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Ani Hesse
• Color Guard: Presented by Civil Air Patrol- Brandon Cadet Squadron
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa’s President, Steve Bonner.
• In-Game Presentation: Nicolette Barone will be honored during an in-game presentation for Sagicor’s Salute to Education. She is a fourth and fifth grade math teacher at Oak Park Elementary School and was named the 2023 Teacher of the Year for Hillsborough County Schools.
• 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 Elijah from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As part of Elijah’s special day as a Tuesday’s Champion, he will meet Rays players and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Elijah, age 10, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, but he dreams of becoming a professional IT technician. He loves to play video games, watch anime and study the periodic table. His favorite Rays player is Yandy Diaz.
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Day: The Tampa Bay Rays will recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on September 5, when they take on the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. On August 25, the Rays and the Starlight Foundation donated a special VR Headset to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, in honor of the annual event bringing awareness to cancers affecting children. A video of the donation will be highlighted during the September 5 home game and on social media.

Wednesday, September 6 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Amanda Pappas
• Color Guard: Presented by Richard C. Spoto High School
• Pregame Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present St. Petersburg College Foundation with a partnership grant. Since 2014, the Rays have donated $75,000 to St. Petersburg College Foundation.
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Frameworks of Tampa Bay with a partnership grant of $10,000.

Thursday, September 7 vs. Seattle Mariners

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Janelle Richardson
• Color Guard: Presented by Pinellas Park High School Coast Guard
• Community Corner: The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay will be at Tropicana Field’s Community Corner, near Gate 3 Guest Services, sharing mental health resources in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September.

Friday, September 8 vs. Seattle Mariners

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Janna Zimmerman
• Color Guard: Presented by St Pete - US Coast Guard Cutter Resolute
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Thrown by Dev Shah, the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion. Dev is a Largo resident and was an 8th grade student at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School when he won the Scripps National Spelling Bee title. The Rays Baseball Foundation will be the official 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee regional partner. As the exclusive regional partner for the Tampa Bay area, the Rays will host and sponsor the regional spelling bee competition held in spring 2024 and will send regional champions to the national competition in May 2024. Local schools are eligible to enroll in the 2023-2024 program now through Jan. 31. Educators can visit Spellingbee.com/enroll to learn more and enroll their schools.
• Pregame Presentation: The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association is proud to announce Randy Arozarena as the Tampa Bay Rays winner of the 2023 Heart and Hustle Award. The Heart and Hustle Award recognizes one player on each Major League team who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Feeding Tampa Bay with a partnership grant of $50,000.
• Dream to Meet Kevin Cash: In partnership with the Children’s Dream Fund, the Rays will fulfill the dream of 19-year-old Austin Majors, whose dream is to meet Rays Manager Kevin Cash. Austin Majors, of Holiday, FL, was born with a congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s anomaly. At three months old, he received a heart transplant. He was later diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, autism, scoliosis, epilepsy and is deaf in one ear. Austin loves watching Rays games, specifically to see Kevin Cash manage. For his dream day at Tropicana Field, Austin will symbolically sign a contract with the Rays with Rays President of Baseball Operations, Erik Neander, followed by a clubhouse tour, meeting with Kevin Cash, attending batting practice, delivering the lineup card to the umpires and watching the game from a suite. The Children’s Dream Fund makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses living throughout West Central Florida.
• Postgame Concert: I Love the 90s Tour

Saturday, September 9 vs. Seattle Mariners

• First Pitch: 4:05 p.m.
• Gates Open: 2:05 p.m.
• Promotion: Trucker Hat presented by MLB Network. Available to all fans while supplies last.
• Color Guard: Presented by Venice Middle Young Marines
• National Anthem: Performed by Dr. Dana Ataya
• Pregame Presentation: As part of the federal courts’ annual celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, U.S. Magistrate Judge Sean Flynn will administer the Oath of Allegiance to 35 new citizens and will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Rays Nike RBI Tampa with a partnership grant of $15,000.

Sunday, September 10 vs. Seattle Mariners

• First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:10 a.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Abbigail Schultz
• Color Guard: Presented by Air Force 6th Air Mobility Wing
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Air Force Colonel Adam Bingham. Colonel Bingham is the Commander, 6^th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force base, Florida. As Commander, he is responsible for the Wing’s worldwide combat air refueling mission and provides installation support to Headquarters US Central Command., Headquarters U.S. Special Operations command and 31 other Joint mission partners.
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Take Stock In Children Manatee with a partnership grant of $15,000.

Additional Homestand Notes

• 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.
• Hit The Buds: If a Rays player hits a home run in center field by the Budweiser Porch, there will be a BOGO Budweiser and Bud Light special at the next Rays home game.
• Randy Land: For every Friday home game fans can purchase tickets for Randy Land in sections 141 or 143 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.
• 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 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.
• $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.
• 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 now has two Reverse Vending Machines in the ballpark that ensure a closed-loop recycling process. A Reverse Vending Machine can be found in both the first and third base food halls. For every empty bottle or can deposited into the machines, five cents will be donated to the Rays Baseball Foundation.
• Rays Autographs: Prior to every Sunday home game throughout the 2023 season, two Rays players will provide autographs for fans 14 & under. Autographs will be available from 12-12:30 p.m. and fans who wish to participate can line up beginning at section 120/122.