Rays open 10-game homestand tomorrow

The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field tomorrow to begin a three-team, 10-game homestand. The Rays begin the homestand by playing host to the New York Yankees for the second time this season in a three-game, weekend series (July 29-31). The Rays open August with a visit from the defending World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals, for a four-game series (August 1-4). To close out the 10-game homestand, the Rays host the Minnesota Twins from August 5-7. This homestand will include several giveaways for fans of all ages, and will be highlighted by the third postgame concert of the season.
The Rays-Yankees series opens on Friday, July 29 with a 7:10 p.m. contest, and continues on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. Saturday is "Country Night" and includes a Hunter Hayes concert immediately following the game. Rays postgame concerts are free with the purchase of that game's ticket, and field access wristbands are available for purchase at raysbaseball.com/concerts. On Saturday, fans 21 years and older will be able to purchase 20-oz. Budweiser and Bud Light drafts for $5 at participating concession stands, or $4 in the Republic Bank Draft Room. Also on Saturday, fans will receive a Tote Bag presented by Bright House Networks. The weekend series against the Yankees concludes with a 1:10 p.m. matinee, and kids 14 and under will receive a Backpack presented by Sagicor Life Insurance Company.
The Rays and Royals begin their four-game series on Monday, August 1 with the first of three consecutive 7:10 p.m. starts. Thursday's series finale is set for a 12:10 p.m. start, with all kids 14 and under receiving Cheer Sticks. All Rays promotional items are available while supplies last.
A weekend series with the Minnesota Twins concludes the 10-game homestand, and begins with a 7:10 p.m. start on Friday, August 5. The following day, the Rays and Twins will play at 6:10 p.m. game, and all fans will receive an Evan Longoria Solar Gnome, presented by Tampa General Hospital. The homestand concludes with a 1:10 p.m. matchup on Sunday, August 7. Upon entry to that game, kids 14 and younger will receive a Laundry Hamper, presented by Crown Automotive.
Rays Family Fun Days, presented by Tampa General Hospital, continue on Sunday,
July 31 and Sunday, August 7. Every Sunday home game this season will feature free parking for cars with four or more passengers and a variety of postgame activities for kids, including Kids Run the Bases and a DJ Kitty Dance Party featuring mascots and entertainers. For the third consecutive season, concourse activities will be complimentary for kids 14 and under. Activities include the Grand Slam Alley, Power Alley Batting Cage, Speed Pitch, Raymond's Art Studio and Topps Make Your Own Baseball Card. Extra entertainers will also perform on Sundays, including face painters, airbrush tattoo artists, magicians, caricaturists, stilt walkers, jugglers and balloon artists.
The Rays are also offering new weekday specials throughout the season including:
COMING UP AT THE REPUBLIC BANK DRAFT ROOM -- Former Rays reliever Trever Miller will be available for a meet-and-greet on Friday, July 29 from 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Republic Bank Draft Room, the new, exclusive area for season ticket holders which blends hospitality and comfort with behind-the-scenes access to Rays staff, players and coaches. Another Rays alumnus, right-handed pitcher Gary Glover, will have a meet-and-greet session in the Draft Room on Friday, August 5 from 6:30-7:00 p.m.
MILITARY, FIRST RESPONDERS AND TEACHERS -- This homestand, the Rays will offer complimentary tickets to select games and special ticket discounts to others for military, teachers and first responders, as verified by ID.me, a third-party MLB approved verification service. These offers are available exclusively online through raysbaseball.com/specials.
MYSTERY BALL -- On Saturday, July 30, the Rays Wives and girlfriends will hold the annual Mystery Ball fundraiser at Gate 1 and Gate 5. For $40, fans can purchase a baseball autographed by current and former Rays and Major League Baseball players from around the league. All proceeds benefit Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.
GATES OPEN -- Monday-Thursday, 1½ hours prior to game time; Friday through Sunday, 2 hours prior to game time.