The devil may be in the details, but the devil is no longer in the name. As of the end of 2007, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays became simply the "Tampa Bay Rays." It was as if the name change lifted a curse. The team with the smallest league payroll and the least experience seemed unstoppable, going all the way to become the 2008 and 2010 American League Champions and making a respectable, although somewhat disappointing, appearance in the World Series.
If all that wasn't exciting enough, they have even more to celebrate. For the fourth year in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays will play home spring training games in Port Charlotte at a newly renovated state-of-the-art facility. Charlotte Sports Park seats over 5,000, with additional berm seating along the first and third base lines.
The Tampa Bay Rays will host several opponents in 2012, including visits from the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
Tickets for the Rays’ home spring training games are now on sale by calling 888-FAN-RAYS or in person at Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) in Port Charlotte, Tropicana Field (One Tropicana Drive) in St. Petersburg, Rays Store (400 N. Tampa Street) in Tampa or online.
2012 Home Spring Training Schedule
| 2012 | ||
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
| Sunday, March 4 | Minnesota Twins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday, March 5 | Baltimore Orioles | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday, March 6 | Minnesota Twins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday, March 8 | Detroit Tigers | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday, March 9 | Baltimore Orioles | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday, March 11 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday, March 12 | Minnesota Twins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday, March 14 | Miami Marlins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday, March 15 | Philadelphia Phillies | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday, March 18 | Boston Red Sox | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday, March 21 | New York Yankees | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday, March 23 | Toronto Blue Jays | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sunday, March 25 | Miami Marlins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday, March 28 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 7:05 p.m. |
| Saturday, March 31 | Boston Red Sox | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday, April 2 | Minnesota Twins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Complete Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training Schedule | ||
