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By TOM ZUCCO, Times Staff WriterThe new owners of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays announced Monday that the price of hot dogs, popcorn, bottled water and other items at Tropicana Field will be reduced by 25 cents this season.
First it was free parking. Then fans were allowed to bring their own food and drinks. Now a trip to the concession stand will cost less.
The new owners of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays announced Monday that the price of hot dogs, popcorn, bottled water and other items at Tropicana Field will be reduced by 25 cents this season.
If the game is dragging on, no problem. Coffee has been reduced by 50 cents, as have hamburgers.
There also is a menu shakeup. In response to fan requests for healthier fare, the Rays will add items such as fruit cups, apples and milk to the children's menu.
One thing you won't find is 32-ounce beer.
Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said Major League baseball requested this year that all teams sell no beer larger than 24 ounces.
While a 25 cent drop in price may seem insignificant, the Rays look at the big picture.
"It adds up," said Devil Rays president Matt Silverman. "Especially for families and fans who come for a number of games."
The latest marketing tweak comes as the club tries to lure fans back to the ballpark. The Rays, 67-95 last season, drew the smallest home crowds of any team in Major League baseball in 2005, averaging just 14,000 fans per game. On any given home game, about two-thirds of the seats in Tropicana Field were empty.
Shortly after Stuart Sternberg became principal owner last fall, the team announced that parking will be free this season, the average ticket price will drop, and fans will be allowed to bring food and certain drinks into the stadium.
The club is also spending more than $10-million in improvements to Tropicana Field.
The result so far has been about a 10 percent increase in season ticket sales.
And Sternberg said the Rays aren't finished. The team promises another announcement Wednesday.
"There's always more to come," he said. "We'll reach deep into our bag of surprises."
A Drop at the Trop
ITEM Old price New price*
hot dog $4 $3.75
hot dog (footlong) $5 $4.75
popcorn: $4 $3.75
hamburger: $6.50 $6
bottled water: $3.50 $3.25
coffee $2 $1.50
soft pretzel: $4 $3.75
sunflower seeds: $2.50 $2.25
* 2006 season prices at Tropicana Field
Source: Tampa Bay Devil Rays