Rays and Red Sox on deck

Friday, October 10, 2008

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Evan Longoria practices throwing at a workout Thursday.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The American League Championship Series begins tomorrow night under the dome in Tropicana Field.

TheTampa Bay Rays host their first ALCS against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox will send Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound to face James Shields.

Pre-game schedule for Friday, October 10

Rays Batting Practice 6:15 -7:00 p.m.
Red Sox Batting Practice 7:00- 7:45 p.m.
Introductions 8:10 p.m.
Ceremonial First Pitch 8:28 p.m.

First Pitch 8:37 p.m.

First Pitch: 11 Season Ticket Holders who will represent the 11 Rays seasons since 1998, their inaugural year.

National Anthem/God Bless America: Saxophonist B.K. Jackson will perform the National Anthem. American Idol star David Archuleta will sing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch.

Television/Radio: TBS, ESPN Radio, WHNZ 1250-AM, Genesis 680-AM.

Baseball shuttle

St. Petersburg, Fla. (October 9, 2008) -- With the AL East champion Rays hosting the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) starting tomorrow, the free Baseball Shuttle System will transport fans from downtown to Tropicana Field on October 10 and 11.

The shuttle will also operate as needed for all subsequent postseason games at Tropicana Field during the ALCS (including games 6 and 7 on Oct. 18 and 19, if necessary) and the World Series.

On Friday, October 10, the shuttle begins operation at 6:30 p.m. for the 8:37 p.m. game; and on Saturday, October 11, shuttle service begins at 6 p.m. for the 8:07 p.m. game. Service ends one hour after the end of each game.

The free baseball shuttle picks up fans at the corner of Central Ave. and Second St. S. (under the Bank of America Towers pedestrian bridge) and drops off passengers on First Ave. S. near 16th St.

The city-owned garage SouthCore accessible on First Ave. S., just east of Second St., is the designated shuttle parking facility and costs $5. Other parking is available in the immediate downtown area. A dedicated van will be available for guests with special needs.