I've discussed the Orlando area on this website a few times. On one hand, according to my estimate, there are 300,000 Rays fans in the Orlando area. On the other, getting from Downtown Orlando to Tropicana Field for a weekday game can take upwards of two hours.
Despite the distance, the Rays are the closest Major League Baseball team to Orlando. Although a few teams still spring train in the Orlando area, there isn't even Minor League Baseball in Orlando. It is the biggest metropolitan area without baseball in the United States.
If there is a reason for sports, it is to provide a place where residents of a town or city can gather and cheer. A sports team provides a common glue that supersedes social divisions. Sports affiliation is a great unifier.
While Orlando has professional sports, the Magic of the NBA finished their season and the Orlando City Soccer Club doesn't play at home until Saturday, June 18th. In the meantime, in order to provide a welcome respite and show the caring nature of Major League Baseball, the Rays have announced many initiatives on LGBT Pride Night on Friday, June 17th that will honor the victims of the Orlando shooting and the communities it effected. According to the Rays website:
This is a major initiative by the Rays. But one that does come with some risks. Friday attendance has been poor recently, more similar to Monday through Thursday averages than Saturday or Sunday average attendance. This may be because fans still have to fight traffic to get to the ballpark on Friday as they do other weekdays.
On the other hand, $5 tickets. Rays fans, no matter where they live, can easily buy multiple seats. Especially if they know 100% of the proceeds will be going to victims' funds. There is a very good chance the kindness of the people of Tampa Bay could cause this game to sell out, whether or not fans actually go to the game.
(If scalpers or anyone on the secondary market tries to sell a ticket to this game for more than $5 and gain profit off a charitable endeavor, they are not fans of baseball or humanity. They are scum.)
Baseball has a history of being a great gathering place after tragedy. Whether at Fenway Park after the Boston Bombings or Shea Stadium after 9/11, people have come to celebrate their communities and the commonalities through baseball.
Although attendance hasn't been stellar this season (albeit better than last), in this moment when it's money they have, but peace they lack, people will come, Rays. People will come.
Despite the distance, the Rays are the closest Major League Baseball team to Orlando. Although a few teams still spring train in the Orlando area, there isn't even Minor League Baseball in Orlando. It is the biggest metropolitan area without baseball in the United States.
If there is a reason for sports, it is to provide a place where residents of a town or city can gather and cheer. A sports team provides a common glue that supersedes social divisions. Sports affiliation is a great unifier.
While Orlando has professional sports, the Magic of the NBA finished their season and the Orlando City Soccer Club doesn't play at home until Saturday, June 18th. In the meantime, in order to provide a welcome respite and show the caring nature of Major League Baseball, the Rays have announced many initiatives on LGBT Pride Night on Friday, June 17th that will honor the victims of the Orlando shooting and the communities it effected. According to the Rays website:
All open seats to Friday's Rays-San Francisco Giants 7:10 p.m. game at Tropicana Field will be available for $5 with 100% of proceeds from those sales benefitting the Pulse Victims Fund, set up for the families of the victims.
Proceeds from the team's daily 50/50 raffle will also benefit the Pulse Victims Fund and additional donation centers will be located at the ballpark.
OneBlood will hold blood drives at Tropicana Field starting at 4 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. for Saturday's 4:10 game. Donors will receive a OneBlood T-shirt and a pair of tickets to a future Rays game.
The National Anthem and God Bless America will performed by Una Voce, the Florida Men's Chorale.
There will be a video pre-recorded by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Major League Baseball's Vice President of Social Responsibility and Inclusion Billy Bean will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and Senior Vice President, Diversity and Strategic Alliances Wendy Lewis will also be in attendance.
The Rays and Giants will also observe a moment of silence while the names of the Orlando shooting victims will be scrolled on the video board.
Parking will be $5 in Rays controlled parking lots.
This is a major initiative by the Rays. But one that does come with some risks. Friday attendance has been poor recently, more similar to Monday through Thursday averages than Saturday or Sunday average attendance. This may be because fans still have to fight traffic to get to the ballpark on Friday as they do other weekdays.
On the other hand, $5 tickets. Rays fans, no matter where they live, can easily buy multiple seats. Especially if they know 100% of the proceeds will be going to victims' funds. There is a very good chance the kindness of the people of Tampa Bay could cause this game to sell out, whether or not fans actually go to the game.
(If scalpers or anyone on the secondary market tries to sell a ticket to this game for more than $5 and gain profit off a charitable endeavor, they are not fans of baseball or humanity. They are scum.)
Baseball has a history of being a great gathering place after tragedy. Whether at Fenway Park after the Boston Bombings or Shea Stadium after 9/11, people have come to celebrate their communities and the commonalities through baseball.
Although attendance hasn't been stellar this season (albeit better than last), in this moment when it's money they have, but peace they lack, people will come, Rays. People will come.