Tickets for Tampa Bay Devil Rays

[lafifille]

Baseball games are definitely family oriented: cool and relaxed atmosphere, lots of young kids, lots of songs [clap]: check out on the web the lyrics of "take me out to the ball game"[msnwink]
Of course you could be sitting next to the ultimate fan who'll get excited and throw peanuts at the players, but there's little chance of that (did happen to me once though: had never met such a perfect image of a redneck before !
I can't imagine a baby would be a problem, unless he/she starts screaming at the top of his/her lungs and can't be stopped, which always seems to be the case in the most embarrassing situations (deja vu...[msnembarrased]).
The game is really easy to follow but can be [u]very long</u>, so you want to sit in the shade if you're going day-time specially with kids. When I was living in Kansas City we used to bring a cooler and have a family picnic there... not sure they allow that anymore[msnscared]? There's always plenty of (junk) food anyway: huge bretzels and hot-dogs being my personal favourites. With a Bud of course[beer]

[taylona]

We've been to a Rays game and saw them beat the Yankies. Great fun and our girls loved it. Would definitely go again! [msnsmile]

[NigelM]

All very useful info. Thank you.

I have since found out that the Yankees are in town when we are there.

The games are scheduled to start at 7.oo pm local time.

Now tell me..how long do they go on for and so when will they finish? Will it be safe to go backl tothe acr late at night?

What time should we arrive to soak up the atmosphere?

Questions....

Thanks

[lafifille]

Official statistics: average baseball game lasts 2hrs 48 mns.
Can be shorter, can be much longer. No way you can tell.

Baseball has its own leisurely pace, and depending on the teams in presence and how they're playing, you can see a lot of action, or none, or something in between. You're talking major teams here, so you should see some good pitching!

If you get tired or bored, you just leave. I've done that many times (you beat the crowd out of the parking lot too [msnwink]).

I think the parking lot should be safe, although I've never been to that specific stadium. You'll certainly see security people on your way in, why don't you ask them?
And keep in mind that it can be a long walk from your car to the entrance of the stadium, (a lot like the parks [sporty] !!!). You want to allow time for that. I try to be there before the game starts, to feel the excitement build up, but it's a personal matter.

Nath.

[The Bodger]

The earlier you get there the easier it will be to park but then it ends up being a long night. We stayed right till the end and came out with everbody else so felt very safe, as we did for the whole holiday but if you are parked in a more remote lot you might have to be more careful I suppose like you would anywhere.The stadium is between two main roads on the outskirts of St. Petersburg.

[melfrank]

We've never been to a USA sporting event. Looks good from the photos. Might try it.

[marion]

The Rays'have started their Spring Training in the new stadium at
El Jobean / Port Charlotte,FL the stadium is truly magnificent the seating arrangement has been designed so everybody has a really good view of the game

The stadium is just minutes away from the Gulf Coast town of Englewood & Rotonda.

[Clare R]

All tickets for 2009 Spring Training long since sold out.

[Zaby]

The Rays were American League champions in 2008 and runners-up in the World Series, losing to the Philies. It was an amazing season for an otherwise average team - think Blackburn Rovers in the days of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton (1996?)

So I'm expecting tickets to be hot this year and might be harder to get.