Game #8 Tropicana Field and the Tampa Bay Rays Game

Tropicana Field....The stadium that the owners of the Tampa Bay Rays have been trying to get replaced ever since their inception. Let's just say that I was pleasantly surprised by the stadium.

Walking up to Tropicana Field, you are greeted by palm trees along the walkway. Tropicana Field has bus parking which is free ( a little money saved ) on a side street very near for a short walk to the stadium, but not close enough after the game because it was raining hard and we were soaked by the time we reached the bus. Once inside Tropicana, there is a rotunda with cheerleaders and the mascots greeting you.

The main level that you entered in has plenty of food and the team store. There is a DJ entertaining as you walk in and there is also a bar on this level that has live music. Moving up to the second level is where you enter to get to your seats. More and much better food is on this level. They have everything from hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, to Sushi, BBQ, Short Rib Nachos to Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Cuban Sandwich, etc.... They have a kiosk at most of the booths for you to type in your order and pay, then the counter person would give you your order. Tropicana also had self service soda fountain machines, so far no other stadium has that. Side note.....Pepsi Co owns the Tropicana Orange juice line of products and the naming rights to the stadium but the beverages in the stadium are Coca-Cola products.

In between the main and first level is an area that that holds their tank of Cownose Rays. Fans are allowed to visit the area and touch them if they can. I'm up above on the first level taking a pic of Tracy with the Rays.

Once you reach the first level, you enter out into the seating area in right center field. You come out an you are about 20 rows back from the field. Batting practice was taking place as we came out. Didn't get any home run balls from batting practice for the Twins. I was able to get 2 fingers on one but not able to catch it bare handed. When you come out to the walkway, you turn left and the scoreboard is right there next to you. Quite a weird feeling being that close to the scoreboard and almost able to touch it. As you can see from the picture below, all the people lined up in front of it. Tropicana does have a very small ballpark feel. With it being the smallest seating stadium in MLB and then with the catwalks above that just makes everything seems a little smaller.

First Pitch....Corey Kluber pitching to the Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton

The game feature Dylan Bundy pitching for the Minnesota Twins and Corey Kluber for the Tampa Bay Rays. Corey Kluber pitched 6 innings giving up 1 hit, 1 earned run, and striking out 6 and lowering his era to 3.05. Dylan Bundy pitched 6 innings giving up 7 hits, 6 earned runs, striking out 7, and walking 2. His era jumped from 0.59 to 2.95. Bundy had given up only 1 run through his first 15 innings of the season but the first 4 hitters all scored with Josh Lowe hitting his first MLB home run, a 3 run homer in the bottom of the first. Tampa scored another run in the 2nd with an RBI single by Yandy Diaz and then a solo home run by Mike Zunino in the 3rd. That was all the scoring needed for the Rays as the Twins were only able to get 1 run thanks to a HBP to Buxton and then a couple hitters later Carlos Correa getting an RBI single.

How about that time of game...... 2 hours 16 minutes. What I think of Tropicana Field....I liked it. Probably not the popular choice as the owners want something newer. The team and the city of St. Pete are in talks for a new stadium. The expected costs for a new stadium is looking to exceed $1 billion. I would give the current stadium a B+. Parking is right around the stadium, it was easy off and on the Interstate, good food and a good variety, and it was a nice atmosphere. I would recommend seeing a Rays game at Tropicana Field.