Rays announce spring training schedule, ticket prices

The American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays announced their 2009 spring training schedule today.

The Rays also announced pricing options for the 16 home games at the newly renovated Charlotte Sports Park. Individual ticket prices will range from $9 to $23.

Here's the breakdown for single-game tickets: field box, $23; baseline box, $18; field reserve, $18; baseline reserve, $16; berm, $9.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 8.

Rays spring schedule

February
25: Reds, 1:05; 26: at Yankees, 1:15; 27: Red Sox, 1:05; 28: at Phillies, 1:05.
March
1: Blue Jays, 1:05; 2: at Cardinals, TBA; 3: at Astros, 1:05; 4: World Baseball Classic exhibition, 7:05; 5: off; 6: at Pirates, 1:05; 7: Red Sox, 1:05; 8: at Red Sox, 1:05; 9: Twins, 1:05; 10: Blue Jays, 1:05; 11: off; 12: Phillies, 1:05; 13: at Blue Jays, 1:05; 14: at Reds, 1:05; 15: Pirates, 1:05; 16: at Pirates, 7:05; 17: off; 18: Reds, 1:05; 19: Cardinals, 1:05; 20: at Blue Jays, 1:05; 21: at Orioles, 1:05; 22: Yankees, 1:05; 23: at Pirates, 1:05; 24: off; 25: Pirates, 7:05; 26: at Tigers, 6:05; 27: at Twins, 1:05; 28: Reds, 1:05; 29: at Reds, 1:05; 30: at Twins, 1:05; 31: at Red Sox, 1:05.
April
1: Twins, 1:05; 2: off; 3: vs. Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia; 4: vs. Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.

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Comments

[CharlieRay]

Why would the Rays want to play Spring Training in St Pete when the fans of St Pete don't come to the regular games?????

[kazmiroholic]

some guy wrote a piece on rays at playerpress.com check it out

[Rays Renegade]

Too bad they only have about 3 games up in Pinellas County during Spring Training. 1 against the Phillies and 2 against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.....

But at least we get to see them before regular season locally unlike the teams from the north ( not counting the 2 games in Philly).

[9equals8.com]

Let's keep it real - I would love for the Rays to have kept ST here, but they need to generate as much revenue as possible given they have to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox every year. So, they had no choice but to take the best deal for the team. This ownership group is reinvesting in the product, so I can support the move (payroll will be growing this year by 20%+ even if they don't make a big FA move). Would you rather have a smaller payroll/losing team and ST here or a few million extra bucks to sign our stars or another quality FA to make us more competitive? The move gives them that additional money to make these kinds of investmerns.

Besides, it gives me a good reason for a nice long vacation weekend in Charlotte this Spring.

[Bill]

Again the almighty dollar wins. Sure give the fans a royal screwing and tradition down the drain in the St Pete area.

[Gene]

Hey no name, what about all the other teams that were here for the bulk of that 90 years since the Rays can only claim 10 of them? It is a good decision for them to do this part of the season away from St. Pete, so there is a little build of excitement like a traditional opening day in ballparks that don't have the luxury of their team training locally. I will be at the Trop more this year than last and looking forward to us building a new, hopefully fully retractable roof, stadium. My Karma cancels out your Karma!

I will never forgive the Rays for taking away a 90+ year tradition of Spring Training in St. Petersburg.

Expand the fan base my A___. They just wanted Al Lang vacant for their money/land grab for their ridiculous sailboat idea.

Karma works....

[Jimbo]

I love how we end ST in Philly for 2 games. That'll definitely be a fun rematch to watch, esp in June when it actually counts!!!