If all that wasn't exciting enough, they have even more to celebrate. Beginning in 2009, 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 2009, including visits from the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies. The home schedule will include an exhibition game against Puerto Rico on Wednesday, March 4.
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. Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster outlets.
2009 Spring Training Schedule
| 2009 | ||
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
| February 25 | Cincinnati Reds | 1:05 p.m. |
| February 27 | Boston Red Sox | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 1 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 3 | Houston Astros | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 4 | *Exhibition vs. Puerto Rico* | 7:05 p.m. |
| March 7 | Boston Red Sox | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 9 | Minnesota Twins | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 10 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 12 | Philadelphia Phillies | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 15 | Pittsburg Pirates | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 18 | Cincinnati Reds | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 19 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 22 | New York Yankees | 1:05 p.m. |
| March 25 | Pittsburg Pirates | 7:05 p.m. |
| March 28 | Cincinnati Reds | 1:05 p.m. |
| April 1 | Minnesota Twins | 1:05 p.m. |
