Rays open two-team, six-game homestand

Highlights include Carl Crawford Hall of Fame Induction and Italian Heritage Celebration

August 21st, 2023

The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field on Tuesday for a two-team, six-game homestand between the Colorado Rockies (August 22-24) and New York Yankees (August 25-27). The 2023 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health.

**Tuesday, August 22 vs. Colorado Rockies **

  • First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
  • National Anthem: Performed by Christina Hundley
  • Color Guard: Presented by East Bay High School JROTC Color Guard
  • Rays Families: The Rays Families will visit the Ronald McDonald House St. Petersburg East House to serve lunch and pack snack bags for families who have a child receiving medical treatment at a local hospital and are staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
  • 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 Colton from the Children’s Dream Fund. As part of Colton’s special day as a Tuesday’s Champion, he will meet Rays players and throw out a ceremonial first pitch.  Colton, age 13, was diagnosed with leukemia and received a bone marrow transplant. His favorite hobbies include playing baseball and video games with friends. His favorite Rays players are Tyler Glasnow and Shane McClanahan. Colton is also an excellent student.

**Wednesday, August 23 vs. Colorado Rockies **

  • First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
  • National Anthem: Performed by Jenny Dean
  • Color Guard: Presented by Newsome High School JROTC Color Guard
  • In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) with a partnership grant of $15,000.

**Thursday, August 24 vs. Colorado Rockies **

  • First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 11:40 p.m.
  • National Anthem: Performed by Erica Scaglione
  • Color Guard: Presented by American Legion Post 159 Honor Guard
  • In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Positive Coaching Alliance - Tampa Bay with a partnership grant of $30,000.

Friday, August 25 vs. New York Yankees

  • First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
  • National Anthem: Performed by Nichole Demott
  • Color Guard: Presented by Bloomingdale High School JROTC Color Guard
  • In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay with a partnership grant. Since 2018, the Rays have donated $27,500 to Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay.
  • Clear the Shelters: SPCA Tampa Bay, along with an adoptable dog, will be at Tropicana Field’s Community Corner, near Gate 3 Guest Services, kicking off SPCA Tampa Bay’s Clear the Shelters event on Saturday, August 26th. Adoption fees will be waived for all animals at the For-All Shelter in Largo. Visit spcatampabay.org to learn more.

Saturday, August 26 vs. New York Yankees

  • First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
  • Gates Open: 2:10 p.m.
  • Promotion: Carl Crawford Mystery Bobblehead presented by GEICO. All fans will receive one of three Mystery Bobbleheads, while supplies last.
  • Color Guard: Presented by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
  • National Anthem: Performed by Regina Tucker
  • Ceremonial First Pitch: Thrown by Carl Crawford
  • Pregame Presentation: Carl Crawford will be the third and final inductee into the inaugural Rays Hall of Fame class, following Don Zimmer, who was inducted posthumously in April, and National Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, inducted in July. A pregame ceremony will highlight Crawford’s impact as the Rays first homegrown superstar and his still-standing team records.
  • In-Game Presentation: The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Academy Prep Centers for Education with scholarships totaling $60,000.

Sunday, August 27 vs. New York Yankees

  • First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
  • Gates Open:  11:40 a.m.
  • National Anthem: Performed by Vanessa Dockery
  • Color Guard: Presented by St. Pete Police Department Honor Guard
  • The Rays Baseball Foundation will present Tampa Bay Watch with a partnership grant of $25,000.

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: $50,000 minimum guaranteed jackpots all weekend! The Rays 50/50 Charity Raffle will have $50,000 minimum guaranteed jackpots for the Rays vs. Yankees games on Saturday, August 26th AND Sunday, August 27th. 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 Rays home games. 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.

Rays Artist Series: To showcase spectacular artistry on and off the field, the Rays and Creative Pinellas, an arts agency working to facilitate a vibrant and sustainable arts community, crafted an opportunity for artists in the Tampa Bay region to design artwork to be displayed at Tropicana Field that celebrates our hometown baseball team and honors the unique culture of Tampa Bay. The Rays Artist Series is a production of large-scale prints based on original artwork designed for the Rays 2023 season showcasing various themes such as the 25th Anniversary campaign, Pride and the Rays, and iconic moments in team history. Starting on August 22, fans can view the Rays Artist Series at Tropicana Field on the 100-level concourse on the first and third base sides, or at RaysBaseball.com/ArtistSeries.