By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Baseball bargains
Here are a few ways you can save money while attending Rays games at Tropicana Field:
• Bring your own food. The Rays are one of a few major-league teams that allow fans to bring in their own food, from sandwiches and snacks to select beverages.
• Car pool. Vehicles with four or more passengers will continue to park free in team-controlled lots for all Sunday games, subject to availability. For all other games, the first 100 cars with four or more will park for free up to an hour before game time, with other main-lot Tropicana Field parking rates ranging from $15 to $20 per vehicle.
• Go midweek or to matinees. With the weekend games — and prime opponents like the Yankees and Red Sox — costing more per ticket, try out midweek games against the likes of the Blue Jays and Orioles, which can cost as little as $9 for the cheapest ticket. There's actually a new matinee season ticket plan, which starts at $248.50 for a selection of 22 midweek and weekend day games and includes a couple of games against the Red Sox.
• Buy in advance. Ticket prices increase $3 within five hours of first pitch on game days.