Support issues are far from over for the Tampa Bay Rays, who have opted for an aggressive promotional approach in anticipation of the coming days.
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Thus, the Florida team offers the possibility of purchasing tickets for as little as $9; the initiative is in effect for all local games that will take place between now and the end of the regular schedule. The Rays will host the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays Sept. 16-25 before wrapping up the road campaign.
In addition, the club has reduced the cost of parking by 40% near Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, while the price at food concessions has been lowered in some cases. Thus, a bag of chips will be offered at a cost of $2, against $3 for a bottle of soft drink and $4 for a hot dog.
Tampa Bay ranks 28th in major league baseball with an average home crowd of 13,994 per game. Although the team is in the second tier of the American League East and could qualify for the playoffs, its bleachers are rather bare. The three duels against the Boston Red Sox, from Monday to Wednesday, attracted just under 29,000 fans in all. The last two were held in front of about 8,000 people.