Fans can watch Rays Wives in 'Citrus Classic'

ST. PETERSBURG -- Fans are invited to watch the Rays Wives take on the Marlins Wives in the "Citrus Classic" prior to Monday's Rays-Marlins game at Tropicana Field.

Game time for the Rays-Marlins game is 3:10 p.m. ET, while the Rays Wives' game will begin at 1 p.m. and should run until approximately 1:50 p.m.

The Rays Wives are raising pledges to benefit their charity of choice, Autism Speaks. The Rays Baseball Foundation will match each pledge.

After losing to the Marlins Wives at Tropicana Field in 2011, the Rays Wives took last year's contest at Marlins Park, banging out 14 hits in the process.

Alison Shelton, hitting coach Derek Shelton's wife, and Sarah Fuld, outfielder Sam Fuld's wife, will coach this year's squad.

According to Alison, the Rays Wives lost some key personnel, but they are confident about the composition of this year's team.

"We were nervous, but now that we've had two practices, we're excited again," Alison said. "We're going to keep it quiet, who the ringers are. We don't want to give away too much."

Alison pointed out that due to the high turnover of the Marlins' roster during the offseason, they know very little about the Marlins Wives they'll face this year.

"They have all new players, which means new wives, so it could go either way," Alison said.

The Rays Wives were visible at Saturday's game wearing Rays jerseys while collecting money for the event. There will be a table set up for donations on Monday as well. For more information on how to make a donation, contact: [email protected].