Tampa mayor Jane Castor to throw out first pitch for Rays annual Pride Night on Friday

In honor of becoming Tampa’s first LGBTQ mayor, Jane Castor will throw out the first pitch for the Rays annual Pride Night on Friday.

The game is sure to be well attended, as it was the first of five games with a $5 ticket flash sale to sell out this week — which was offered in addition to the popular $7.11 Friday ticket special. While the $5 ticket sale might have expired, fans can still take advantage of the similarly discounted price by visiting a participating local 7-Eleven store and picking up the Rays Friday Night discount coupon.

If you aren’t able to secure that deal, the Rays will also be offering a third special to celebrate Pride Night.

Here are the details on that special:

Through the purchase of a special ticket package, fans can receive a ticket in the Lower Level and a Rays Pride Hat for $30. To purchase the Pride Night ticket special or for more information on Pride Night, visit RaysBaseball.com/pride.

The deadline to purchase tickets is June 13 at 11:59 p.m. In addition, fans can visit the Budweiser Porch for a photo opportunity and to see a Stonewall Riots exhibit.

All Friday home games also have $5 Budweisers on the Budweiser Porch. Pride Night merchandise, including T-shirts, hats, pins, lanyards and tumblers will be available for purchase at the Rays Republic Team Store as well.

Pride Night has become a celebrated occasion for the Rays, particularly after the events in Orlando in 2016, when the Rays donated proceeds to the Pulse Victims fund. The Rays wore Orlando Caps and the game was sold out.

But that’s not all going on this Friday.

The Rays Artist Print Series

In partnership with Creative Pinellas, an arts agency working to facilitate a vibrant and sustainable arts community, the Rays crafted an opportunity for artists in Tampa Bay to design prints that celebrate the hometown baseball team and honor the unique culture of the region.

Each artist selected was invited to create a piece that represents her or his own style and interpretation of the Rays brand.

The limited-edition third of seven prints will be released on June 14 and can be purchased for $30 at the Rays Republic Team Store.

Designed by St. Petersburg street artist iBOMS, the print depicts Rays mascot Raymond and Angels mascot Rally Monkey to symbolize young rivals coming together to play the sport they love and rising above their differences in honor of Pride Night.

For more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/printseries.

Reading with the Rays

Rays outfielder Austin Meadows will host the first Reading with the Rays presented by Suncoast Credit Union event of the summer. Meadows will read to children with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast.

Recently launched for its 12th season on June 2, Reading with the Rays is an incentive-based reading program that encourages Pre-K to 12th grade students to avoid summer learning loss by reading for 24 hours during the summer months.

Visit RaysBaseball.com/reading for more information.

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Friday’s sure to be a good one. First Pitch is at 7:10 p.m., and gates open at 5:40 p.m.

Go Rays!