Thrive
Rays’ festival attracts thousands of fans
The Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest was a hit Saturday, particularly with the team’s youngest followers, who ran Tropicana Field’s bases and anxiously awaited pictures with their favorite players and mascots.
Bill Walsh, chief business officer for the Rays, told the Catalyst that over 9,000 people had already attended the free event nearly two hours before it ended. He said that surpassed pre-pandemic crowds for the 2019-2020 Fan Fest.
Mascots joined young fans and families on the dance floor at Fan Fest.
Walsh, like many players, also brought his children to the event. He said they would sleep well later that night after several trips around the infield and called bringing everyone together in a fun atmosphere before the grind of a 162-game season “everything that’s right with baseball.”
Running Tropicana Field’s bases was a highlight for many children.
The 2023 season marks Tampa Bay’s 25th anniversary, and he noted that many fans were teenagers or younger when Major League Baseball awarded St. Petersburg the (Devil) Rays. Most now have kids of their own and hope the team continues playing in the city for another generation.
“We’re at this really important, pivotal moment in this franchise,” Walsh said. “We know from everything we’ve learned about fandom that if we can get folks interested when they’re young – 5 or 6 years old – they’re going to be fans for life. So, that’s what we’re trying to do, and events like this can make that happen.”
Two hours before the event ended, chief business officer Bill Walsh said over 9,000 people had already entered Tropicana Field.
Catcher Christian Bethancourt, who will represent Team Panama in next month’s World Baseball Classic, said the opportunity to interact with the Rays’ youngest fans “means a lot.”
“A lot of kids here want to be us, playing Major League Baseball,” Bethancourt said. “It’s just great to see all the fans here supporting the Rays.”
Fans flocked to a Charity Yard Sale that benefitted the Rays Baseball Foundation.
Pitcher Jalen Beeks said he loves spending time with fans and still finds it “pretty cool when someone wants your autograph.” While he relayed that frustration with a game can sometimes detract from those moments during the season, Fan Fest provided a relaxed atmosphere for him and others to get to know their supporters.
“I just enjoy talking to people,” Beeks said. “So, it’s a blast for me.”
The Rays organization owns the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and St. Petersburg’s soccer club was also represented at Fan Fest.
The Rays will officially embark on their 25th anniversary season at Tropicana Field March 30, with a matchup against the Detroit Tigers.
Fan Fest was also a dog-friendly event.
