TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays took on the New York Yankees in their first spring training game of the season. The Yankees won the game, 4-0. 

Tickets were hard to find, with the lowest price tickets for the spring training opener set at around $160 each.

What You Need To Know

  • The Tampa Bay Rays played their first spring training game at Steinbrenner Field Friday, visiting the Yankees. In March, the facility will serve as the Rays' temporary home for the upcoming regular season

  • Game was expected to be a sell-out 

  • Yankees won Friday's game, 4-0.

  • Rays leadership says the team is excited for the upcoming season in its temporary home 

  • SPRING TRAINING PRIMER: After an event-filled offseason, Spring Training set to return Rays to the field

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For the Tampa Bay Rays, it will be the first time the team takes to the field where it will play all of its home games this season. Steinbrenner Field will be the Rays home field for the regular season as the Trop is unplayable because of hurricane damage last fall.

Despite some pushback from public, city and county officials, Rays leadership said the team is excited to call Steinbrenner Field its temporary home.

“I think our players have the appropriate perspective and there’s a major league quality field,” said General Manager Erik Neander. “We’re in a place that’s accessible to our fans where they’re going to be able to come out and enjoy the product.” 

Rays Manager Kevin Cash agreed, adding it will be an exciting change. 

“The Bay area is where we wanted to be,” said team Manager Kevin Cash. “That’s our fan base. So, some of our St. Pete locals, I understand it's frustrating, but for the Bay area, to bring baseball over there and to play during the summer, after the Yankees leave from spring training, I think it's going to be very exciting.”