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You Are Here: Home » Things to Do » Spectator Sports » Rays Banner Season »
Welcome Baseball Fans
Tampa Bay Rays
2008 American League Champion
Welcome to St. Petersburg/Clearwater, home of 2008 American League Champions and the exciting 2009 season.
History was made as the two teams that called St. Petersburg/ Clearwater their home to 2008 spring training matched off in the World Series last year. Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays, American League champions and Philadelphia Phillies, World Series champions.
Relax on our world famous beach by day and cheer your favorite team by night. Returning to action after their historic "worst-to-first" 2008 season, the Rays are back to re-create the magic of last season at their home, Tropicana Field. Be sure to look for the famous glowing orange dome after every home win.
Always a home run for family fun, baseball fans of all ages can root for their favorite players. Carl Crawford, James Shields, and B.J. Upton all return for what is sure to be an exciting 2009 season.
With a packed promotional schedule including including collectible poster souveniers every Friday to the first 7,500 fans, and t-shirt and bobblehead give-aways, Rays followers can gather all sorts of memorabilia from their favorite team. And, don't miss the many post-game concerts scheduled throughout the summer.
Good Eats
If you want to grab a bite before or after the game, check out these nearby options. Across the street from Tropicana Field, the two-story Ferg's Sports Bar, with dozens of flat-screen TVs, game-day drink specials and the Devil Ray Burger, is one of the most popular game-day hangouts. (727-822-4562, fergsonline.com).
For traditional baseball fare at old-fashioned prices, you can't beat the landmark Coney Island Grill, which has been serving chilidogs on Ninth Street North since Babe Ruth came to town for spring training (727-822-4493).
For something more genteel and closer to Tropicana Field, try Savannah's Cafe on Central Avenue, which serves mint juleps, fried chicken and other Southern favorites (727-388-4371, savannahsstpete.com). Chiang Mai Thai Restaurant, also within walking distance on Central Avenue, dishes up spicy curries and fresh spring rolls (727-895-4851).
Summer Concert Series
Enjoy the game and then catch some of the best live concerts in town this summer. The Summer Concert Series, scheduled to begin May 30 and conclude on Sept. 5, will take place on select Saturday home games and are free with the purchase of that night's game ticket. Smash Mouth, Big and Rich and The Beach Boys are just some of the scheduled performers.
For more information on the summer concert series, including a list of all performances, click here.
Transportation
The City of St. Petersburg has announced that there will be shuttle service for each home game of the Tampa Bay Rays for the balance of August as follows:
Tuesday, August 18th through Thursday, August 20th: BAL
Friday, August 21st through Sunday, August 23rd: TEX
START TIME OF SHUTTLE SERVICE
90 minutes before the start of the game
END TIME OF SHUTTLE SERVICE
1 hour after the game is over
1 hour after the post game concert is over on Saturday, August 15th AND Saturday, August 22nd
COST
The shuttle is FREE to the general public
SHUTTLE STOPS
-Second Street between Central Avenue & First Avenue South (under the pedestrian bridge connecting the Bank of America Tower and South Core garage). Motorists may park in the South Core garage by entering from 1st Avenue South between 1st and 2nd Streets.
-16th Street just south of 3rd Avenue south
Shuttle service operating approximately every 10-15 minutes
BALANCE OF 2009 SCHEDULE
There will be a free shuttle to Tropicana Field for home games when the Rays take on the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and dates when there is a scheduled post game concert. Other dates may be added during the season. Updated information will be available on the Looper website.
Service hours: Starting 90 minutes prior to the beginning of the game until 1 hour after the game is over. Service will continue until 1 hour after post game concerts on those dates.
A printable route map of the shuttle may be viewed on the events page at: www.LooperTrolley.com
Baseball At The Beach
For away games, The TradeWinds Island Grand, the Official Beach Resort of the Tampa Bay Rays, is hosting family friendly game watching parties all season long. The games will be broadcast on a huge screen directly on the beach and admission is free. For more information, click here.
More Information
For more information and a complete schedule of Rays games please go to raysbaseball.com
For tickets, call 888-FAN-RAYS. New partial season ticket plans are available for 2009.
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Copyright ©2009 St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.