File photo.
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)A few weeks back we told you about the Rays offering $10 tickets for all home games. That's a great deal if you plan on going to just a handful of games. But if you're a diehard baseball fan who lives near The Trop, there's a new offer might be an even better deal for you.
The Tampa Bay Rays are offering a subscription-like season ticket option called the Ballpark Pass. Get a standing room only seat to ALL home games at Tropicana Field for $49 a month. Or commit to supporting the team the whole season and prepay $249. With 80 home games, that breaks down to about $3.25 a game! So what's the catch? (Lame pun intended.)
The Bad
#1: You don't get an assigned seat at the game. You are pretty much just granted admission into the park. But listen, we know the Rays attendance issues. If you want a seat, there will likely be more than a few unused for most games.
#2: You won't have the best view in the park. Standing room only locations are all in the outfield so if a seat behind home plate is what you need, this deal is not for you.
#3: You will not be able to resell tickets. If there are games you can't go to, you won't be able to resell them like you would if you had a regular season ticket.
The Good
#1: Obviously the big one... this is a CHEAP way to get to enjoy a lot of Rays baseball. For those who've complained over the years that tickets are too expensive and they'd go to a lot more games if they were priced lower, the Rays are pretty much calling you out.
#2: Another key thing... no blackout dates. You won't be denied access to popular games like the home opener or games against teams like the Red Sox or Yankees.
#3: One other neat perk... you can purchase a guest pass.
The View From The WORST Seat at Tropicana Field
You would think Row 1, seat 1 would be great right? Not in this case. Seats right behind home plate at Tropicana Field are expensive. A seat in Section 103 for tonight's game starts at $300. So where should you look at The Trop seating chart when you're looking for less pricy tickets to a Tampa Bay Rays game? There really aren't that many bad places to watch. But we can tell you one seat NOT to pick. It's been deemed the WORST seat at Tropicana Field by Bookies.com.
They did a study of every Major League Baseball park to find the absolute worst seat in the house. Seats with an obstructed view and the distance from home plate were taken into consideration. They even measured how far seats are from things like concession stands and bathrooms. At Tropicana Field, they say you'll find no worse seat than the one near the left field corner in Section 129. Lucky for you Rays fans, I found it and took some photos.
So yeah maybe avoid Section 129, Row G, Seat 1. Although maybe you'll get a free souvenir. Lots of foul balls head out that way. Want to see the worst seat in the house at other Major League Baseball Parks? Head here!
First go to Section 129.
Walking halfway down, the view is already getting rough.
Head to Row G... that's the front row. You'd think a front row seat would be great right?
Then find your way to Seat 1. Row 1, Seat 1. SOUNDS good.
Geno/Q105Yikes. This is your view.
You can see the banners ok with good binoculars.
Keep in mind too this is the view BEFORE fans sitting in that pit area arrived.
One perk I guess ... if you're a fan of the visiting team, you do get an up close view of the action in their bullpen.
You may not have a great view of the action at the plate, but you can watch people eat from their plates.
The view of the roof isn't so bad.
I think we know why Ryan didn't show up now.
He might've just decided to stay home and watch on TV. Look at that big pole blocking a lot of the view of home plate.
I think Brett is laughing at you for picking these seats. The outfielders are pretty much the only ones you'll see well.
Or just spend more and get a seat behind home plate.
