Rays open two-team, six-game homestand

The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field on Tuesday to conclude their 2023 regular-season home schedule with a two-team, six-game homestand between the Los Angeles Angels (September 19-21) and Toronto Blue Jays (September 22-24). The 2023 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health.

The Rays Baseball Foundation will host the annual Shirts Off Our Backs fundraiser presented by United Concordia Dental throughout the final homestand. Fans can make a donation to the Rays Baseball Foundation at Shirts Off Our Backs table locations or with a volunteer and receive a scratch-off card with the chance to win team-issued Devil Rays jerseys, tickets to a 2024 Rays home game or other prizes. Fans can purchase two scratch-offs for $10, five for $20, 10 for $30 or 20 for $50. Scratch-off cards will be available at Gate 1, Gate 3, Gate 5, the Republic Bank Draft Room and from roaming volunteers. Every scratch-off card is a winner and proceeds directly benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation. A 501(c)(3) organization and the official charity of the Rays, the Rays Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need within our community, focusing primarily on education, youth development, wellness and social responsibility. For more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/Shirts.

Tuesday, September 19 vs. Los Angeles Angels

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Tricia Whitaker
• Color Guard: Presented by Central High School NJORTC
• Pregame Presentation: The Rays will honor seven game day employees who have been working at Tropicana Field since March 31, 1998. The seven, Don McDonald, Cindy Hasher, Wendy Berry, Sharon Jones, Dick Sprankel, Joe Schultz and Dan Russo represent the Box Office, Fan Hosts and Raysvision teams.
• 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 ten-year-old Mason from the Children’s Dream Fund. As part of Mason’s special day as a Tuesday’s Champion, he will meet Rays players and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Mason was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He loves playing hockey and video games. His favorite Rays player is Josh Lowe.

Wednesday, September 20 vs. Los Angeles Angels

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Alberto Plaza
• Color Guard: Presented by Charlotte High School NJROTC
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by LPGA Tour player, Elizabeth Szokol. She is a Tampa resident and 2023 winner on the LPGA Tour.
• In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present the Poynter Institute’s Write Field Program with a partnership grant of $35,000. Write Field students will also attend batting practice, where they will meet Rays players. During the game, the students will receive sneakers, Rays polo shirts and backpacks, which were donated by Rays players, coaches and executive staff. The Write Field program is a free, academic year-long program that teaches African American and Hispanic middle schoolers how to be better writers, communicators, and students. The program meets one Saturday each month during the school year and throughout the program, the boys meet with local journalists, community officials, professional athletes, and business leaders to reinforce the communication skills they will need to complete high school and succeed in whatever they pursue next.
• Children’s Dream Fund Experience: The Rays will host Ethan from the Children’s Dream Fund for a special experience. Earlier this year, Ethan was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. His dream through the Children’s Dream Fund was to receive his very own video equipment. As a big sports fan, Ethan is interested in becoming a sports video editor. During his experience with the Rays, he will be filming content during Rays batting practice, shadowing the Rays creative team, followed by a tour of the control room.
• Rays vs Angels on Wednesday, September 20 will be first regular season game being brought inside of MLBs ‘Virtual Ballpark’. Integrated with MLB Gameday 3D, fans from anywhere in the world logged into the virtual ballpark can watch a three-dimensional representation of the game and interact with each other as it’s being played. To enter this free, immersive experience, fans can visit mlb.com/virtual-ballpark.

Thursday, September 21 vs. Los Angeles Angels

• First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Master Chief Hosking
• Color Guard: Presented by USCG Sector St. Petersburg
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Maverik Swank, winner of the New Era David C. Kock Memorial Golf Tournament Fundraiser Experience. A ceremonial pitch will also

be thrown by Commander Faith Gamboa of the US Coast Guard Reserves- She is the first woman commander of Port Security Unit 307 in Clearwater.

Friday, September 22 vs. Toronto Blue Jays

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.

• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.

• National Anthem: Performed by Nelly Ford

• Color Guard: Presented by Alonso High School JROTC

• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc.’s Hispanic Man and Woman of the Year, Dr. Ray Ortiz and Catalina Botero Lovett.

• In-Game Presentation: Prospera Florida will be presented with a check during an in-game ceremony. Prospera Florida is a non-profit organization that focuses on contributing to the growth and success of Hispanic-owned businesses in the community.

• Roberto Clemente Award: Shane McClanahan, the Rays nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, will be honored for his support of Buddy Baseball in a pregame ceremony with Rays Vice President and Assistant General Manager, Carlos Rodriguez. Buddy Baseball is a non-competitive recreational baseball league serving the Tampa Bay community for children ages 8 to 22 with unique abilities.

• Roberto Clemente Day Pack the Pantries Food Donation Drive: In celebration of Roberto Clemente’s philanthropic efforts, the Rays are partnering with TD Synnex to Pack the Pantries with Feeding Tampa Bay. Fans can donate nonperishable food items outside of Gate 1 (Lot 7) and Gate 4. Each household that donates three or more items will receive a ticket voucher valid for two (2) Lower Reserved tickets to a 2024 regular-season home game. For more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/Clemente.

Saturday, September 23 vs. Toronto Blue Jays

• First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.

• Gates Open: 2:10 p.m.

• Promotion: 25th Anniversary Replica Statue Giveaway presented by DEX Imaging. All Fans will receive one of two Anniversary Replica Statues, while supplies last.

• Color Guard: Presented by Dunedin High School JROTC

• National Anthem: Performed by Jennifer Barican

• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Akinori Iwamura

• Pre-Game Presentation: As part of the celebration of the Rays 25^th anniversary season, two statues commemorating historic moments in the team’s history will be unveiled at 1:30 p.m. outside Gate 4. The ballpark’s first tributary statues will commemorate Evan Longoria’s iconic 2011 walk-off home run in Game 162 and Akinori Iwamura’s jumping celebration as the Rays secured the 2008 American League pennant. Akinori Iwamura will be in attendance for the unveiling.

Sunday, September 24 vs. Toronto Blue Jays

• First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:10 a.m.
• National Anthem: Performed by Janna Zimmerman
• Color Guard: Presented by Largo Police Department Honor Guard
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Jonathan Haight, winner of the Take Me Out to the Ballgame Sweepstakes presented by Take 5 Oil Change.
• Pregame Presentation: The Rays are proud to present the Bayfront Health Foundation with a donation of $250 for each base stolen at the Rays Home Games this season. The Rays have already stolen over 80 bases this season with more to come in the final homestand resulting in a donation of over $20,000. The Bayfront Health Foundation was born out of a desire to provide for the healthcare needs of our growing community and has established programs like the Heart Center, the Baby Place and their Level Two Trauma Center.
• In-Game Presentation: Duke Energy and Share the Light Fund check presentation.

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.