With a low-hanging and non-retractable roof, there is not another MLB stadium like Tropicana Field. The roof is occasionally hit by batted balls and so there are special ground rules determining the outcome of the play. Pared with the low roof, the largely concrete construction inside the stadium creates a reverberating echo that I haven't heard anywhere else. As All-Star David Price delivered a great pitching performance the day before the All-Star break, I could hear the fans' cheers again and again as the sound waves bounced around the stadium.
In the center field concourse, there is a water tank with sting rays in it that fans can pet for free. Tropicana Field employees give a mandatory tutorial on where to touch the rays so as not to be stung. For a small fee, you can feed the rays too!
If you're a cigar smoker or enjoy the smell, Tropicana has the only in-stadium cigar shop in all of Major League Baseball. This is largely because of the historical connections that the city of Tampa, specifically the Ybor City neighborhood, has with Cigar Making.
Final Score: Rays 3, Blue Jays 0.
Ricky, right, and Conner play catch before the game.
David Price warms up before the game.
Fans wait for autographs,
Outfielder Matt Joyce signs autographs.
Fans can get a free Topps baseball card with a photo of themselves on it.
First baseman James Loney high fives a fan before the start of the game.
Carol and John watch the game.
Jane and her 4-year-old grandson Evan take in the pre-game festivities. Evan was named after Rays third baseman Evan Longoria.
Dave Clarke holds his cigar at the Cuesta Rey Cigar Bar.
Elijah and Rachel take in the game.
The Tropicana Field facade.
Feeding the rays.
Fans leave the game.