College Night at the Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Tampa Bay isn't known for its college atmosphere. Despite hosting a major university, several smaller colleges, and a law school, the area's youth-oriented scene doesn't have a distinctive college bend. Hopes were high as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Major League Baseball team announced College Night Fridays. For every Friday home game, the Devil Rays are offering $5 admission and $1 beers for patrons holding a valid college ID. Games are held at Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg. Free parking is provided in the stadium lot. Take I-275 to I-175, and enter the main lot off 1^st Avenue South and 3^rd Street South. Promotions are offered for designated drivers-be sure to sign up at guest services near Gate 3.

Five dollar admission to any Major League game is an excellent deal. Tickets for college night are in Sections 341 through 355. This area is called the "tbt Party Deck," formerly known as The Beach. The tbt Party Deck is fairly segregated from the rest of the stadium, so the Devil Rays are able to offer different pricing and specials on food and drink.

When entering the tbt Party Deck, be prepared to show a valid driver's license and a college ID. This will get you a wristband entitling you to the beer special. Beers are available for only $1, but they come in a 10-ounce cup. Patrons can purchase a maximum of two beers at a time. The area is decorated in a festive theme, and has ample space for people to congregate in the standing area. However, most people watch the game in their seats instead of the standing-only area.

There are major drawbacks to the tbt Party Deck. There are not enough counters for food and alcohol sales. Lines for drinks can reach dozens of people with waits of twenty to thirty minutes. It is unlikely you'll be able to get more than a few of rounds of beer, and you may miss a big portion of the game doing so. Located on the upper level in left field, these aren't the best seats in the house.