clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

How to Pokemon GO at a Rays Game

A step-by-step guide that gives you the best chance to catch 'em all while you catch a Rays game too!

By Bradley Neveu
That's a big pokeball
That's a big pokeball
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Pokemon GO craze is in full swing. Are you in on it? Are you trying to catch 'em all? Is there any better way to work towards that goal than by simultaneously catching a Rays game? Here's a guide with some suggestions for an evening packed full of Pokemon GOing around Tropicana Field. (Check out this site if you want to make it a full day of catching Pokemon before the evening too!)

Preparation

Make sure your phone is fully charged, because the GPS part of the game uses a ton of power and rapidly drains the battery in the process. A truly dedicated master Pokemon trainer like yourself might even want to bring an external battery to make sure your Pokedex is still going strong if the Rays decide to bless us with some extra innings of free baseball and Pokemon GO lures.

Even the car ride will provide opportunities!  If you are driving, let your passenger know he or she will have your phone (and probably their own as well because they are just as addicted to the game as you), checking into pokestops as you pass by, catching any good pokemon that come along. Oh, and tell them not to worry about those rattatas, pidgeys and zubats. Ain't nobody got time for that.

What they do have time for is items. Checking into Pokestops on the way to the game is a good way to stock up on the digital essentials for a night of catching Pokemon. All varieties of Pokeballs are most important, but other necessary items include razz berries, incubators, lucky eggs, incense and lures. Make sure you have space in your  bag for them! Throw away excess potions and revives if you need to make room. You could drop a dollar or two to expand your bag space in game, but I don't think it's imperative. I mean, just look at how big that thing is:

As for the actual baseball game, just make sure you have tickets for outfield seats. As far as attire goes... I'm picturing a spectrum in my head. On one end there's a fan in a Longo jersey wearing eye black holding up one of those giant foam fingers in one hand and a baseball glove in the other. On the other side of the spectrum is Ash Ketchum. Maybe the middle is some kind of Pokemon t-shirt and a Rays ball cap. I don't know. It's probably best to check with the significant other on that one.

Pregame

Green Bench Brewing Company must have had their Pokevision radar going when they opened their doors in 2013, because I'm counting at least eight Pokestops within a block of their location between 11th and 13th on Baum Avenue. That's only a few short blocks directly north of Tropicana Field's main entrance, a trek that is nothing compared to backpacking through the entire Kanto region, am I right?!

Central Avenue is on the way, which is also loaded with Pokestops for a good block or two in each direction. Start your evening by hydrating at the local microbrewery, checking into all the Pokestops, loading up on items, and maybe adding to your Pokedex if you're lucky.

There are a few coffee shops nearby for an alternate choice. I imagine many of the Pokestops in the area will have lures active, so plan on giving yourself a few extra minutes in the area to stop and catch that hopeful Pikachu or Bulbasaur.

While making your way towards the main entrance of the Trop, you'll notice the primary walkway is lined with Pokestops as well. It's your call if you want to check in to those as well. If it were me, I would swing by if they had lures going, just to see if they've attracted any Pokemon worth catching. From there, head on into the game!

During the game

If there was any time to sit in the outfield stands, now is that time.

There are six Pokestops spread out all across the outfield stands and walk ways. To make it even better, they are pretty much always lured during the game. Considering a single lure on average attracts one Pokemon every five minutes, you should see a new Pokemon appear every 50 seconds, not including any wild Pokemon that appear on top of that. Good luck keeping up!

I suggest just checking in between innings to see if there's anything good. You don't want to miss Brad Miller hit that home run or KK make that leaping catch because Charmander is giving you fits. He'll be there when the inning ends... probably.

Either way, with six lured Pokestops going all night, you won't leave disappointed. Your Pokedex will be fat, the Rays will win, and you'll be all kinds of happy. Just don't go jumping out onto the field, or into the dugout, just because you saw these tweets (Unless it's a Charizard!):

The same applies to your local affiliate

It looks like most of the minor league parks are getting in on the action. And why wouldn't they? Dropping lures at the cost of $1 per 30 minutes to attract Pokemon (and Pokemon trainers!) is a super cheap way to get people out of their houses and to the park. Win/Win.

Apparently the aspiring Pokemon Masters in Durham cleaned house, because:

I guess they caught 'em all. Don't worry, they'll be back!

You should be all set now. Good luck on your quest to catch 'em all! Oh, one more thing... Go Team Valor :)

More From DRaysBay